How to Care for a Silk Scarf: The Artisan's Guide to Lasting Elegance
Trinh HaiQuick answer: Dry cleaning is the safest way to care for a silk scarf. At home, wash it by hand in cool water with a little mild shampoo, never soak, wring or twist it, dry it flat in the shade and iron the reverse on low heat while damp. Keep it away from perfume and cosmetics, and store it loosely folded in a cotton bag.
What do you need to care for a silk scarf?
Very little: cool water, a basin, a drop of mild shampoo, two clean towels and a shaded place to dry. Silk is a protein fiber, so it dislikes heat, friction and strong detergent. Treat it the way you would treat your own hair and it will last for years.
The safest route is always dry cleaning, and you can tell the cleaner it is hand-printed silk. Everything below is for the days when you would rather do it yourself.
How do you wash a silk scarf at home?
- Fill a basin with cool water and add a few drops of mild shampoo.
- Lower the scarf in and move it gently with your hand for about a minute. Do not soak it.
- Rinse in clean cool water until the water runs clear.
- Lay the scarf flat on a towel, roll it up and press. Do not wring or twist.
The same steps, with photos, are in How to Wash a Silk Scarf by Hand. If you are wondering about a washing machine, the answer is no.
How do you dry and iron it?
Dry it flat or hang it in the shade, away from direct sun and heat. Direct sun fades color and dries the fiber. Iron the reverse side while it is still slightly damp, on the lowest heat, with a thin cloth if you like. If you have a stubborn crease, read Can You Iron a Silk Scarf? and How to Remove Wrinkles from a Silk Scarf.
What do you do about a stain?
Act quickly and blot, never rub. For oil, dab with a dry cloth and take it to a dry cleaner. For anything you cannot lift with a clean damp cloth in a minute, stop and ask a professional. Rubbing spreads the mark and roughens the surface of the silk.
What should you avoid for silk care?
- Perfume, hairspray and cosmetics applied directly onto the silk.
- Soaking, wringing, twisting and tumble drying.
- Bleach and strong detergents.
- Leaving it in sun on a windowsill or a car seat.
How do you store a silk scarf?
Fold it loosely, or roll it, and keep it in a cotton bag or its box, out of the light. Do not keep it in plastic, which traps moisture. Change the folds now and then so the same crease does not set. Longer advice is in How to Store a Silk Scarf.
Which scarf is worth the care?
Larger squares reward it most, because there is more silk and more ways to wear it. Our 36 in (90 cm) squares are in the 90x90 collection, and the whole range is in the silk scarf collection. A twilly is easier to look after, and a handbag knot is shown in this guide. If it is a gift, see gifts for mom and the Phoenix Dance scarves. For what the cloth is made of, read mulberry silk benefits, and find more in all our guides.
Picture a scarf folded into a drawer for thirty years, then lifted out and handed to a daughter. That only happens with silk that was worth keeping and care that was gentle. If you are building a drawer of that kind, the 36 inch (90 cm) squares reward good care most, with more silk and more ways to wear it. BLOG5 at checkout is our small thank-you for reading this far: 5% off.
Silk scarf care: your questions
Can I put a silk scarf in the washing machine?
No. Machine agitation and friction roughen silk and can pull color from the print. Dry clean it, or wash it by hand in a basin of cool water with a little mild shampoo.
How do I dry a silk scarf?
Lay it flat or hang it in the shade, away from direct sun and heat. Press water out first by rolling the scarf in a clean towel, and never wring or twist it.
How do I iron a silk scarf?
Iron the reverse side while the scarf is still slightly damp, on the lowest heat. A thin cloth between the iron and the silk adds protection, and a crease can often be steamed out instead.
How should I store a silk scarf?
Fold it loosely or roll it and keep it in a cotton bag or its box, out of the light. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture, and refold now and then so one crease does not set.
