Clean

How to Clean a Silk Robe

A silk robe drapes the body in comfort and luxury. A delicate fabric, silk requires a gentle cleaning routine that prevents damage to the elegant material. Some silk garments may allow dry-cleaning only, but other manufacturers provide a less costly hand-washing solution to cleaning silk robes. Non-alkaline products provide a soft cleaning action for the fragile fabric. Clean your silk robe without fear using simple but effective washing techniques.

Remove any items from inside the robe pockets.

Fill a sink with lukewarm water. Add 1 tbsp. baby shampoo. Swish the water with your hand to create soap suds.

Place the silk robe into the soapy water. Move the robe gently within the water, allowing soap suds access to the entire garment. Swish the robe in the soapy water for two minutes.

Drain the water from the sink. Lift the robe out of the sink to rinse away all soap suds. Place the robe back into the sink and fill it with lukewarm water.

Lift the robe 1/4 way in and out of the water to help rinse soap suds from the clothing. Drain the water from the sink after rinsing the robe for one minute.

Lay one white towel over a hard surface. Place the robe flat over the towel. Lay another white towel over the top of the robe. Gently pat the top towel into the robe; do not smash the towel on top of robe. Allow the towels 30 minutes to absorb excess water from the robe.

Lay the damp silk robe onto a hard surface and dry flat, smoothing out any wrinkles

Tips & Warnings

You may also dry-clean a silk robe if preferred.
Do not use bleach on silk garments.
Avoid scrunching or squeezing water out of the silk robe after washing as it could wrinkle the fabric.

How to Clean 100 Percent Silk Clothing

Silk fabric contains protein fibers that create the smooth texture synonymous with silk. However, 100 percent silk is very delicate, and any wash, detergent based soap or sunlight can damage the fabric and the clothing permanently. Hand wash 100 percent silk clothing to ensure the fabric is not damaged. More importantly, wash silk clothing with neutral-based pH-level soaps to avoid staining the fabric.

Fill a water bucket with lukewarm water. Placing silk in warm water will prevent shrinkage.

Add neutral- or alkaline-based soap. These soaps are not highly acidic, and they do not contain harmful detergents or bleaches, which can damage silk.

Soak the clothing in the soapy water for less than 10 minutes. Any longer, and it can damage the silk’s protein-based fibers.

Scrub the clothing to remove odors and stains. Avoid placing silk clothing inside a washing machine or dryer, as they may damage the fabric. If you must do so, wash and dry using the delicate cycle and mild soap.

Hang the clothing to dry. Avoid drying silk in direct sunlight, as sunlight may fade the color of wet silk. Also avoid using wooden drying racks, as they can stain the fabric.