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Ah, silk… is there anything more luxurious than a silky soft kaftan - just add on a pair of dainty earrings, statement sandals or a small heel and you’re ready for any occasion.
But have you ever wondered how silk is made or how to care for your favourite Blue Bungalow silk garments? If so, read on…
Silk is made out of the fibre produced by larvae to make their cocoons making it one of, if not, the strongest and most durable natural fibre out there. The cocoon’s silk strands are twisted together to make yarn, which can be dyed before being weaved into garments.
Yes, due to its thin strands and the fact that it is a natural fibre, good quality silk is super lightweight and breathable which is why it is often used for summer dresses, such as kaftans, luxurious undergarments and bedding and, most recently, face masks.
Silk is more expensive than other fabrics due to its complex production process, which requires thousands of individual fibres to make the fabric used in your garments.
When cared for properly, silk clothes can last for years - you may even be able to pass on your favourite silk shirt to your grandchildren. Silk fibres are thin yet very strong so when thousands of them are tightly woven together to make your clothes, you can bet they’ll be a worthwhile investment!
Make sure that you store them in a cool, dry and dark place, away from sunlight which could cause discolouration. Silk clothes are also best stored in breathable garment bags, ideally cotton bags over plastic ones, and should regularly be checked for moths (unfortunately we’re not the only ones that like silky garments).
Silk does tend to wrinkle easily but this can be avoided by storing it properly!
To avoid any creases in the fabric, hang rather than fold your silk garments and keep them separate from other clothes by using a breathable garment bag. If packing silk in your suitcase (oh you fancy huh?) you can put a layer of tissue paper between the folds and to separate them from other garments.
Silk can seem tricky to deal with but, once you know the basics, you’ll see that you don’t need to drive yourself crazy with worry!
First, be careful when applying any alcohol-based products such as hairspray or perfumes as this could stain your favourite silk slip, as could deodorant; ideally, spray those on, put some music on and strut around the house in the nude until you’re dry before getting dressed (don’t forget to close the curtains).
Second, always follow the care instructions on the garment care label - the directions below are just general guidelines and may not be appropriate.
Can you wash silk?
We would recommend dry cleaning as even the most gentle of hand-washing can be too rough! Silk is precious and should be treated as such.
But, if you don’t have access to a dry cleaner and you must wear your BB silk garment (say, on your next trip through the Italian Riviera), you can gently hand wash it using cold water and a gentle detergent. Don’t wring or twist the garment as this could break the fibres; just move it around in the water, rinse it to get any soap out and soak up any extra moisture by rolling up the garment in a towel before hanging up to dry in the shade.
Whatever you do, avoid heavy detergents or stain removers, don’t use bleach and never put silk in the dryer or in the sun!
Does silk shrink when washed?
Silk is a natural fibre and, depending on the way it was woven, can shrink if subjected to hot temperatures, so avoid hot water and, if possible, leave it to the professionals.
How to remove a stain on silk?
Water can stain silk as the fibres absorb the water and dry very quickly so if you do need to spot clean, don’t rub the stain with water, as it could permanently damage the fibres. Just blot the stain with a slightly damp cloth before hand washing the whole garment; if it doesn’t come off by blotting it, take it to the specialists (that would be the dry cleaners).
Can you iron silk?
Yes, you can iron silk clothing but make sure that you do so on the lowest heat setting and with the garment still slightly damp and turned inside out. We also recommend using a tea towel between the garment and the iron to avoid leaving any marks or damaging the fabric permanently.
Silk is generally better suited to steaming so you may want to try hanging up your silk dress while you have a hot shower - this will often be enough to get any pesky wrinkles out - or use a steamer if you have one on hand (but be careful that it doesn’t drip water on your clothes).
