| Silk scarves have long held a high-profile position in the | | | | certain soap, detergent or chemical can have on the |
| fashion community. A favorite fabric for designers, it | | | | fabric's color. If the color starts to fade or exhibits any |
| continues to be used by the clothing industry for | | | | change, do not use the chemical. If the cloth passes |
| various products including scarves, shawls and fashion | | | | the colorfastness test, you may proceed by soaking it |
| accessories. In the same breath, scarfs have been | | | | in a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap solution. |
| considered one of the most enduring and versatile | | | | Rinse the piece with cool clean water. When all the |
| accessories in the history of fashion. As such, silk | | | | soap is gone, add some vinegar as you do another |
| scarves are one of the most sought after outfit | | | | rinse. The vinegar functions as a soap neutralizer. It |
| accents by stylish end-users. Users like you would | | | | also works to restore the cloth's shine. Use cold water |
| naturally want to extend the aesthetic appearance of | | | | for a final rinse to completely wash off the vinegar. |
| these prized possessions. That is probably the reason | | | | Make sure the vinegar does not leave any lingering |
| why you have read this far... in the hope of finding | | | | odor. To dry, roll the piece in a towel, squeeze softly |
| some reference for preserving the oomph in your | | | | then spread on another (dry) towel. Do not wait until it |
| scarf. For our part, we shall strive to live up to your | | | | is completely dry before ironing. Once it is only slightly |
| expectations. | | | | damp, iron under a medium temperature setting. |
| Cleaning preserves the fabric: | | | | Dry cleaning: |
| Since silk is mainly made up of protein fibers, its natural | | | | Although most silks are better off hand washed, some |
| coating reacts in a positive way to water - | | | | can endure the strong chemicals of dry cleaning. Just |
| rejuvenated and refreshed. That is why a scarf made | | | | make sure your laundry shop checks for colorfastness |
| up of this material has to be washed from time to | | | | before they proceed with the entire cleaning process. |
| time. Contrary to what most people think, washing | | | | Not all dry cleaners are capable enough of handling this |
| does not shorten the lifespan of these accessories. | | | | type of fabric, so you must make sure that your local |
| Not only does washing extend its life, it also gives back | | | | laundry shop is. |
| the shine and caressing property of the fabric. | | | | Other points to consider: |
| Nowadays, there are two main methods for cleaning a | | | | There are a couple more things to remember when |
| scarf: hand wash and dry clean. Let us try to look into | | | | cleaning your silk scarf. Since their coating make them |
| the advantages and disadvantages of each method to | | | | more resistant to dirt and stains, keep use of soaps |
| see when, if ever, a certain method is appropriate. | | | | and detergents to a minimum. Since this type of scarf |
| Hand washing: | | | | is made up of natural fibers, it cannot adapt well with |
| Hand washing has been around for thousands of | | | | abrupt changes in temperature. Thus, try to maintain |
| years and it doesn't look like it's going to be outdated, | | | | the same temperature throughout the whole cleaning |
| especially when you're dealing with high quality fabrics | | | | process. While you may not consider your silk scarf |
| like these. With hand washing, there is less agitation | | | | just another piece of accessory, you don't have to be |
| and friction is concentrated only on areas of the cloth | | | | too cautious when using it. Bear in mind that there are |
| that are soiled. Before hand washing, test a small | | | | ways to preserve it and keeping it in a closet is not |
| hidden portion for colorfastness for every chemical | | | | one of them. |
| you plan to use on it. You'll never know what effects a | | | | |