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I have a beautiful Hugo Boss silk blouse that needs to go to the cleaners, but I just wonder . . . do I have to send it to the cleaners? It plainly says "Dry Clean Only" and heaven knows I don't want to ruin it . . . but is there a way to hand wash silk so that it doesn't A. Shrink or B. lose its shape?
I just don't know if I should take the risk, but dang, it gets expensive cleaning blouses.
I have always washed silk blouses by hand. It's not that silk will not wash well, but more about ironing it and getting it to look like new.
I have some I've bought at Marshall's or TJ Maxx and I've washed and even dried them in the dryer and they're fine.
Was this blouse really expensive? Is it at all intricate? If so, I would send it to the cleaners. If it's plain and easy to iron then I would wash it.
Take it to the cleaners in a netting bag and get insurance on it. Silk snags very easily and if you don't net bag it, there is a good chance another garmet will snag it. Net bags are usually only used upon request and some dry cleaners charge extra for it. But always ensure any expensive item you drop off at the cleaners. Things get lost and damaged. Don't wash it by hand because the water can change threads or dye color, size and finish. You can get away with washing some silk stuff by hand, but it loses its new sheen a bit.
You may be ok hand washing it in the sink, careful not wring it out much, and lay it flat to dry. Like the prior post, it could lose a little "silkiness" over time, but a brief fluff in a cool dryer may help.
If in doubt, I would still use a dry cleaners.
my tip on drying delicate fabrics like that is just let it set a few minutes to let the water fall out. (I use a pasta strainer) and then lay flat on a towel. Roll the towell up like a pumpkin roll and press softly with your hands. (DO NOT crease or wring) You may need a couple towels. All knits should be laid flat to dry or they start to look "drippy" before they should. Dryer totally kills it though. Don't do that. I used to work in a drycleaners, so just trying to save your clothing.
Is it stained? If not maybe you can just freeze it. Pitt has some sage advice too.
Most of the silks my wife and I get are used store brand, and we cut them up for other things.. I can't sew that material for beans, but my wife can, and made a repro of a Native American wrap and 1/2 skirt in wool, but decorated in all colors of silk. I still fight with her to get that skirt, and so far I loose. It would make a great robe for the heroic warrior She Buck On'a, my alter ego. I did do the bead work and made a lot of silver brooches for that skirt.
I have a beautiful Hugo Boss silk blouse that needs to go to the cleaners, but I just wonder . . . do I have to send it to the cleaners? It plainly says "Dry Clean Only" and heaven knows I don't want to ruin it . . . but is there a way to hand wash silk so that it doesn't A. Shrink or B. lose its shape?
I just don't know if I should take the risk, but dang, it gets expensive cleaning blouses.
Ideas?
Would you dare do it?
I originally come from the Far East. Real silk is 100% washable using lukewarm water and only use a liquid soap, not too much, just sufficient to produce a small amount of bubbles. I never wring the item, rinse, change water, rinse and keep on doing this until there are no more bubbles in the water. Do not wring but place on a hanger and allow it to drip dry. When it is dry turn the blouse inside out and use a steam iron to press it. Rehang on hanger. If it is 100% silk it will retain it's sheen and shape.
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