Silk, the Touch of Luxury You Deserve
It’s possible that your closet is stocked with garments crafted from a wide variety of materials. Perhaps you would say that the silk garments you have in your closet are the most expensive stuff there. Why, then, is silk so much more valuable than other fabrics?
Silk production has been performed by humans for centuries. A great many individuals would spend a great deal of money to have this material made into formal attire, bedding, or robes. Silk is the most desirable and expensive fabric available. Silk has been worn by empresses and queens across the globe for centuries.
When the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is raised under controlled conditions, it produces silk. The caterpillars never stop eating. Feedings of mulberry leaves occur five times daily. The worms have been feeding and developing for 45 days now, so they are fully adult. Their unique spinneret produces a single, lengthy filament.
That fabric right there is silk.
Silkworms create cocoons from this thread. The caterpillar then starts the transformation process. Except that this is where silk manufacturers come in. They use steam to open the cocoons. The pupae inside are killed and the container is cleaned. The pupae would deteriorate and damage the silk if kept alive. Once the cocoons have been removed, around a half a mile of useful filament is available. To make a thread substantial enough for weaving, filaments are linked together.
Because to its scarcity and high production costs, silk is pricey. One kilogram of silk requires the production of more than 5,000 silkworm cocoons. It takes a lot of time, effort, and money to raise silkworms, destroy them, and collect their thousands of cocoons.
After learning the factors that contribute to silk’s high price tag, you may have felt guilty about how little care you gave your expensive fabrics. Sirwiss has teamed with seasoned professionals in the laundry industry who are well-versed in the care of silk garments. Read on to learn helpful information on how to maintain your silk apparel at home.
Why Is Silk Considered as the “Queen of Fibers”?
The purchase of silk would be a wise financial decision. This fabric is an investment, so be sure you plan to use it for a while.
1. Naturally Hypoallergenic (and Therapeutic to Your Skin)
Silk is hypoallergenic and so a perfect option for anyone with asthma, allergies, or sensitive skin. A negligible proportion of individuals are allergic to silk. Silk can assist those with sensitivities because it naturally repels allergens such as dust mites and mildew.
Silkworm cocoons are naturally constructed to protect the worm from frequent predators and threats, such as mites and fungus growth. Silk is mostly composed of a protein called sericin, which repels allergens in a natural way. Moreover, silk is resistant to the formation of mildew, mold, and fungi, which are frequent human irritants.
Silk does not irritate delicate skin in addition to being the least allergenic of all textiles. Silk is good in retaining the moisture and fullness of the skin. Silk materials are insulating, thereby retaining moisture close to the skin. This reduces the amount of moisture your skin loses. Silk strands are also extremely soft, so they will not irritate your skin by rubbing.
2. It is Biodegradable and Recyclable
The apparel sector contributes significantly to global warming. Synthetic clothing is typically not recyclable or biodegradable and hence ends up in landfills throughout the world. The decomposition of clothing in landfills produces methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas.
Clothes constructed from natural fibers such as silk, cashmere, cotton, hemp, and wool naturally degrade over time. If you want to contribute to the reduction of waste in landfills, you can choose clothing produced from natural fibers such as silk, which is durable, has a low environmental impact, and can be recycled.
Silk is a naturally produced, highly biodegradable material. A biodegradable cloth is one that can be broken down over time by microorganisms alone. Depending on the conditions, a fabric made of 100 percent silk decomposes between 1 and 5 years. This is significantly faster than the rate at which synthetic materials, such as polyester. Decomposition of polyester, for instance, can take up to 200 years.
3. It is Sturdy and Robust
Good quality silk can last a lifetime for a reason. Silk is surprisingly durable for such a thin and light fabric. Silk thread is four times more durable than a similar-thickness steel thread. Silk was also used to create armor by the ancient Mongolians. To reduce the impact of arrows penetrating the skin, vests comprised of numerous layers of quilted silk were worn. Not only is silk robust, but it is also highly elastic and resilient. Silk was the fabric of choice for parachutes for a considerable amount of time due to these properties.
Taking Care of Silk: How to Wash Silk
We understand how nerve-wracking it may be to maintain your most delicate clothing. Having your silkiest belongings hang in your closet for far too long out of fear of stains is understandable given the dreaded “dry-clean only” tag.
Don’t worry too much, since there is a simple technique to care for your must-have silk outfits without leaving the house. By adhering to these easy procedures, you may extend the life of your cherished silks and get any stains professionally removed.
1. Check the Temperature
Always begin by filling a basin with cold water first, since this will help prevent any shrinking as well as color bleeding.
2. Treat Stains
There is no need to go out and buy a special product to combat stains on silk. A better option is to whip up a homemade remedy by combining 2 cups of tepid water with 2 tablespoons of either lemon juice or white vinegar. After making sure your mixture is colorfast, pour it into a clean spray bottle and apply it to the stain. Put the mixture on with a sponge or twice the fabric and rub it in carefully.
3. Hand Wash
Although silk can be washed in a mild cycle, it is recommended that you hand wash each item in the sink. If you want to preserve the color, fill your sink with cold water and add a mild detergent that doesn’t include bleach. Gentle detergents or shampoos are what our specialists recommend. The clothing should be submerged in the water, and the water should be stirred every few minutes. After removing the soapy mixture, rinse it under running cold water.
4. How Do You Machine-Wash Silk?
Silk may be washed in a washing machine. A mesh bag, however, is essential for avoiding tangles and other mishaps during transport.
- Check the label every time. In the machine, certain goods sustain damage or lose color.
- Sort your clothes. Never wash silk alongside bulky items, such as jeans.
- To prevent abrasion on your silks, use mesh bags.
- Include a detergent made especially for cleaning silk clothing. Check the bottle’s dosage directions.
- Select the gentle wash setting on your machine. Additionally, if at all feasible, select the shortest spin cycle and adhere to the labelled recommended temperature.
- Make use of a towel to absorb extra moisture.
- Depending on the item, dry it by hanging it up or laying it flat. Avoid direct sunlight once more.
Taking Care of Silk: How to Dry Silk
Silk should never be wrung out or put in the dryer. Lay the damp item flat on a white cotton towel to absorb the water. Gently wipe with the towel after folding it over. The blouse or dress should be hung over the bathtub on a padded hanger to dry. Do not hang while exposed to direct sunlight. It shouldn’t take longer than an hour for the item to dry.
Can Silk Be Dry Cleaned?
The fabric care label should specify whether or not the item may be dry cleaned. Take the item to a professional cleaner if it says “dry clean only” on the label.
Taking Care of Silk: Maintaining Silk
Silk, as mentioned, is a very fragile material. Proper maintenance extends beyond just washing and drying to include dealing with imperfections like creases and storing items properly. You need to know how to iron silk correctly to get rid of wrinkles and creases.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Just turn it inside out! Put it on low heat or the silk setting.
2. After it has dried, silk has to be ironed. Wet ironing or spraying on silk is also not recommended.
3. Use a towel to separate the item to be ironed from the iron.
Taking Care of Silk: Storage
Silk ought to be easily stowed away. Just make sure to keep them in a dry, cold place. If you need to store the item for a long time, put it in a plastic bag that allows air to pass through it. Keep it in a cool, dark place and spray it with insecticide. You may also hang your silk clothes on fuzzy hangers to keep them from slipping around in your wardrobe. To properly hang pants, either use a wide bar across the legs or a clip hanger on the hem. Always wash silk garments before storing them away for the season, as moths love to feast on natural fibers like silk and wool.