What detergents should I use to wash my delicate clothing such as silk?

Question

I want to wash my silk gown but I don't want her to lose her shine. I had one a while ago and washed it using the wrong detergent and learned that mistake the hard way.

So can anyone recommend a detergent made specifically for silk? Give me some links to online stores please if you know any.

And by the way, can i bring back the shine to my own gown?

Is Victoria Secret Gentle Affection any good?

Answer 1

I use the same detergent for my wife's silk stuff and it is still just as nice. We just use the delicate setting on the washer.

Answer 2

Silk is a protein fiber, like hair. It does best in a neutral or slightly acid environment. If you use a detergent that is alkaline, like a lot of the "tough on stains" type detergents are, it can dull the sheen of the silk fibers.

I usually use a gentle detergent for silks. Shampoo works well too. If the silk has a high sheen, though, it may have been hot-pressed with rollers during the fabric manufacture, and washing can soften that sheen. I would recommend testing just a corner or hidden spot with shampoo and water, to see if it handles it OK.

There's a special detergent called Orvis that is used by a lot of textile experts; I use it often when I'm working with silk. Dharma also makes a special cleanser called Synthrapol that is good for silk.

Answer 3

You have to read the tags.

It can get REALLY complicated with complicated clothing. What if it says line dry and you don't have a line? When it says tumble dry in the drier, is there any other other way to get them dry in the drier? Some say dry clean only, so you have to go to the dry cleaners a lot. Very wierd.

Answer 4

Woolite is best for sure...or cold water Tide is okay too..and no you cant bring a silk shine back..

Answer 5

Try Woolite or take your outfit to a dry cleaner that uses eco-safe drying cleaning chemicals. There's a place here where I live that does that and everything I take there comes back beautiful!

Answer 6

You should first read the tag on it. That will usually tell you exactly how to wash it. It might even be dry clean only. If I were you and I was that concerned about it, I'd dry clean it anyway just to be on the safe side. I use Dryel.

http://www.dryel.com/

Answer 7

I use Woolite on my silk blouses and I hand wash them

Answer 8

since silk is very delicate it should be dry clean really, if not use the mildest detergent around

Answer 9

You can find it in any grocery or discount store. Woolite seems to work the best for me.

Answer 10

Downy or Ivory detergent. If it's good for babies it's good for your gentle wash.