Fir

these four follow up questions came to mind:

1. Is it okay to run the garment through the spin cycle (at the end), too?
2. Is it fine to use regular laundry detergent?
3. If touch up ironing is needed but the garment has completely dried while hanging up, may I use an iron on a steam setting? Is a press cloth advisable (or ironing it inside out)?
4. I read that silk noil has an odor about it. I once read that silk noil can be washed, but baking soda sould be added to the rinse water to neutralize the ordor. Do you feel that these two bits of information about silk noil are accurate - or not?

I thank you and I really appreciate your immense patience in answering my questions...I would love to work with silk and am itching to try it...

FAR, FAR, FAR less confused,
Renee

Dear Renee,

Take into consideration with washing silks that machine washing will give many silks a particular "washed/laundered" look. Much like linen and how it changes when washed, silks will generally look different when washed than when new. (It will be "sueded", "distressed", etc. and have a white cast to it.

1. Yes, it is okay to allow silk to go through the spin cycle. Noil and broadcloth handle this better than other types of silk.

2. Be cautious when choosing detergents. Mild soap, like Dr Bronner's or a very mild organic soap for laundry is better than Woolite (which has bleach in it!)

3. Some heartier silks, like noil, will take a steam iron; other silks are subject to possible water spotting, so always test your iron with steam on a scrap first. Be cautious, test, and use your best judgement.

4. Silk noil does have a distinct "silk" odor, although it's not unpleasant, and not as strong as it used to be years ago. Baking soda or one of the naturally scented mild soaps (like lavender Dr. Bronner's) will help minimize this.

Handwashing also works quite well. I frequently handwash my silks in Castille soap and hang or drip dry.

For more detailed info, and a good reference, check out Fabric Savvy and More Fabric Savvy by Sandra Betzina

-Dianna