With the cost of dry-cleaning increasing, I'm wondering if I can wash 100% silk blouses w/out damage.?

Question

I have two silk blouses that I would like to hand-wash although the manufacturer is recomending dry-cleaning. Will I ruin the garments?

Answer 1

I would never wash the kind of silk called crepe de chine. I have had trouble with shrinkage and widening in the same garment. Other, smooth silks come out all right though there is also the possibility of the colors running, so don't wash prints. Some intense colors like fuchsia are almost guaranteed to run.

Silk must be ironed low while it is still a little damp, then hung up to dry completely. The main thing you will notice is that the silk will look fine, but it will not be as soft as it would be if you dry-cleaned it.

I have mixed feeling about the dryer bag method of cleaning clothes. You spot clean with a fluid and then tumble the item in a special bag in your dryer. It helps, but I think it isn't as good as washing or cleaning, and mostly just scents the clothes so they seem fresher. It's something to use between dry cleanings, in my opinion, and can save you a little money. I wouldn't soley rely on that method-but that is my prejudice.

I wish it were still easy to find underarm pads to put in blouses or wear on a sort of elastic halter set-up. Pads cut down on the dry-cleaning and save silk from color damage from deodorants. I used to buy the gizmos in fabric stores. They're hard to find now.

Answer 2

I let my silk blouses soak in a sinkful of cold water with Woolite. Let them soak for 30 minutes or so, then rinse and hang to dry. It does not ruin them. (Be careful if it's a print or bold color though! The color does bleed a little.)

Answer 3

NO dont hand wash it, you need to go to the store preferably meijers and buy one of those 1.99 kits for home dry cleaners..its a cheap kit to dry clean at home..and they have coupons in the box for a 1.00 off so next time you buy it it will only cost .99 ..it is kept next to the fabrezee and the shout and stuff like that..the shirt you are talking about the material is made not to get wet...

Answer 4

Wash in cool water with Woolite, hang to dry, then iron

Answer 5

Wash by hand in Woolite. Drip dry.

Answer 6

Sure. I always did. Just use Woolite and follow instructions.

Answer 7

my mother used wool lite. her tags said dry cleaning, and she just washed them in the sink with wool lite. good luck.

Answer 8

wool lite is best it is known for delicate clothing ..