Silk is special. The care you give your silk garments will repay you in prolonged garment life.
 
Silk is a strong fiber but can be weakened by perspiration, deodorants and sunlight. Silk is absorbent so it dyes easily, but some dye colors tend to bleed and fade in water and during stain removal procedures. According to dry cleaners, red, green, blue and purple dyes are especially prone to problems. Sunlight or even artificial light will fade silk items and turn white silk garments yellow.

Only pre-washed silk is washable. Dry cleaning is generally preferred, since laundering detergent and dyes in other clothes may adversely affect silk fabric. To prolong the beauty and life of silk garments, follow these guidelines in use and care.

Care Tips for Washable Silk
Do not over wear a silk garment before cleaning it. Wash or dry clean soon after garment becomes soiled.
 
Some silk garments must be dry cleaned; others can be hand washed. Whether the garment is washable or dry cleanable depends on the dye, finish, garment style and construction.
 
Wash each garment separately as dyes may bleed. The dyes used on some silk are subject to color loss and dye bleeding. This may occur in normal wear or during stain removal.
 
Perspiration will degrade silk, and perfumes and deodorants will affect the fabric color. Chafing, splitting, and shredding occur in normal wear, especially in lightweight or tight fitting garments.
 
Air dry the garment away from sunlight until damp dry. Use a padded or plastic hanger to distribute the weight of the wet garment. Please lay flat and dry in the shade.
 
While damp, press the silk item from the wrong side with a dry iron at a warm (silk) setting. A steam iron at a low setting may be used, being sure the iron doesn't "spit," which would cause water spots. Iron the fabric dry. Use a press cloth when doing touchups on the right side of the garment.
 
For long-time storage, silk should be sealed against light, air and insects. Please store with a moth repellent.
 
Use garment shields to prevent permanent stains from perspiration. Chloride salts found in perspiration and deodorants can weaken silk fibers and, depending on the fabric construction, cause splitting at the underarms as well as staining. Perspiration can damage certain dyes.
 
Use care in dressing and grooming to avoid staining silk items. Silk fabric is easily damaged by alcohol-based products such as hair spray and perfumes, and chemical products such as nail polish remover. Apply perfume and hair spray before putting on a silk garment as the mist from such products may cause stains.
 
If you spill something on your silk garment, don't put water on the spotted area. Water may set the stain or cause a permanent ring. Take the item - even a washable silk item - to a dry cleaner as soon as possible. Tell the cleaner what you spilled, where the stain is and how long it has been there. These factors are important because the stain's type and age determine garment handling and spotting procedures.

Hand Washing Silk:
For items without linings and without embellishments attached, careful handwashing is permissible, with cool or lukewarm water with a mild detergent or mild soap. Strong alkaline detergents weaken silk.
 
Handle silk garments gently. Don't wring or twist the garment because silk is weaker when wet. After thorough rinsing, roll the item in a clean bath towel to remove excess moisture.

Machine Washing Silk:
Insert item in a net bag and set machine for a 'delicate wash'.
Don't use presoak products or chlorine bleach; both will damage silk.
Chlorine bleach should never be used on silk.
Do not spin dry.

Care Tips for Washable Silk-Care Tips for Washable Silk