How do I make my ivory silk robe white again?

Question

I have an ivory white robe that I have worned for a while. When it was new, it was really white Now it has a brownish color to it. I've only dry cleaned it with Dryel but that doesn't seem to get rid of the brown hue. Of course, I don't want to use bleach since that would ruin the silk altogether.

Answer 1

Take it to a professional dry cleaner

Answer 2

For one thing you never ever bleach silk it will weaken or rot the fibers. Since you have never washed it washing might shrink the silk. Also, Don't forget that washing Silk Changes the hand to the fabric. It's not going to be the same also it wrinkles like crazy and if there are any unfinished edges inside they will ravel. Now, If it's no use to you in the color it is try soaking it in biz you can get this at walmart. Put a half cup of Biz with cold water in a bucket and make sure the whole robe is saturated. Soak for a few hours and check it to see how it's doing. If it's not as white as you want it soak somemore. You can soak it for a couple of days just make sure you keep changing the water. You don't need to add more Biz. When it's as white as you want it Rinse real well..

Answer 3

I'm not sure that Dryel really cleans anything. I think it just "freshens" things. You should be able to wash it very gently in cool water with Woolite. Then squeeze, don't wring. Let dry, preferably flat. And then, if desired, press lightly to remove wrinkles; or use a steamer.

If Woolite doesn't remove the discoloration, then try some OxyClean in cool water. If necessary, you can let it soak in that solution for as much as 24 hours. I've seen Martha Stewart do that to whiten very old table linens.

Answer 4

Bleach will only damage it and turn it yellow & gray. good thinking. Wash in cold water , use natural soap. like the good old fashioned soap bar, soap. Then hang outside in the sun. then sun will bleach your robe the natural way. It might take time but it will get white