Laundry Day With The Laundress//How To Wash Silk And Other Delicates At Home
This post was sponsored by The Laundress but all opinions are mine alone.
Taking care of my fancier clothing is a 2018 resolution of mine. I am really lazy when it comes to laundry actually and I cannot tell you how many of my own pieces I ruined. And I am not even allowed to do Lin's laundry anymore. Whoops.
My dry cleaning bill is also so insane and as I get more eco-conscience I am really not a fan of all those chemicals all over my clothing that are being absorbed by my skin. Not to mention the dry cleaners have also ruined some of my things or completely lost them. ( Still not fully recovered from the indigo one of a kind Love Shack Fancy gown that never found it's way home to me and don't even get me started about a rose leather BCBG Maxazria jacket that was ruined) Insert the saddest, disgusted face here.
So I have been really wanting to take care of my nicer pieces myself at home and I have dedicated my Sunday mornings to this task.
I was so pleased to collaborate with The Laundress, an eco-chic line of specialty detergent and fabric care with the prettiest packaging that actually makes you excited to do laundry and even display it! Details matter to me in my home. I want everything to be gorgeous and functional. The Laundress detergents are highly concentrated, suitable for HE machines and hand-washing, and work in any water temperature. They are family safe, allergen-free, have no toxic fumes and aren’t tested on animals. The detergents use plant-based ingredients, and do not contain chlorine, petroleum products, or artificial color. Be still my heart. Both educated in textile and apparel management as well as "fiber science," Gwen and Lindsey (the founders of The Laundress) have recently collaborated with companies like Le Labo and J.Crew and are getting women all over the globe addicted to laundry days!
And in one of fave interviews about them from Racked, see below what Lindsey had to say about dry cleaning.....
Racked: In some ways, you've eliminated the need for a dry cleaner. How?
Lindsey Boyd: We knew that most of fabrics are washable from our fiber science/textile background. While most tags say "Dry Clean Only" because of the manufacturer, we encourage people to read the fiber content tag versus the garment care tag and wash accordingly to the fabric. The Laundress product is formulated for different types of fabric so you can wash accordingly and skip the dry cleaning process. Washing is a more favorable cleaning process than dry cleaning. When washing, you can remove stains and odor in its entirety and safely clean embellishment. And it is better for the environment.
They know how to clean faux-fur, how to wash workout gear, how to remove slush stains, and even how to wash down bedding. You can see those full how-to's here. They even have a guide on how to wash any fabric A-Z on their site including cashmere, denim, corderoy, and silk. They even went live the other day and were sharing tips on how to get rid of those stubborn arm pit stains.
Your laundry game is about to get serious my dears!!
So today I want to talk to you about washing your delicate items at home like your beloved silk pieces and your lingerie which can be very intimidating. I received a silk Slip pillowcase for Christmas that I have been dry cleaning so I am thrilled to not be doing that anymore. Why dry clean when you can provide better care for your delicates at home, minus the toxins and extra cost?
I use The Laundress Delicate Wash. From lingerie and other items labeled “dry clean” to silk blouses and scarves, this special formula removes perspiration, body oils, and stains while cleaning and preserving fabrics. Ideal for silk, synthetics, spandex, polyester, nylon, rayon, acetate, and blends. It's scented in Lady, an herbal and citrus blend of rich amber, bergamot, lavender, and musk. And it's highly concentrated—up to 32 washes.
How to wash silk in a washing machine
The answer to ‘can you machine wash silk?’ depends on the item in question. First, you need to check the item’s care label. It will have clear instructions on whether the garment can be placed in the machine or not. Next, you’ll want to do a colour fastness test – especially if the item is brightly coloured. Complete this test by dipping a corner of the garment in cold water. Then, lay it on white fabric and apply a warm, but not hot, iron. If the colour stays you should be alright to wash it in the machine. When washing silk in the machine, remember to:
Choose a low heat setting (30°C) and a gentle wash cycle
Only wash silk items with similar colours to help avoid colour run
Use the delicate wash by The Laundress.
Place extra delicate items inside the mesh bags from The Laundress. (going to talk about these gems in a second)
How to wash silk by hand
Now you know how to wash silk in the washing machine, it’s time to consider your other option: hand-washing . This is ideal for non color-fast fabrics and anything extra delicate that you don’t want to risk in the machine. To begin with, fill a bowl with cold water. Add a little delicate wash from The Laundress and then put your silk items inside the bowl. Move the silk pieces around the bowl gently to help the cleaning process but never rub, boil or soak your silk clothes as this could damage the fibres. Once cleaned, remove your items from the bowl and empty the water. Rinse each piece of clothing separately in cold water until all detergent residue is removed. Squeeze excess water from the silk items gently and leave them to dry naturally – do not wring them out.
I also use The Laundress Mesh Washing Bag Bundles. These protect wool, delicates, embellished items—even denim and activewear—from tangles and snags in the machine. These long-lasting fine-mesh bags won’t catch on the machine drum, but provide enough movement for effective cleaning. The bundle includes one small bag, ideal for hosiery and lingerie, and one large bag, ideal for sweaters and larger items.
The design in these bags is excellent . The zippers stay zipped and the bag does not twist upon itself so fine garments are not harmed. I am so very impressed.
How to dry silk safely
Getting the drying process right is just as important as washing when it comes to silks. You should never wring your silk garments as this can leave lasting creases and risks breaking the fibres. Instead, squeeze excess water out gently and then pat them dry with a clean towel. Hang the items away from direct sunlight or heat until they are completely dry. Next, check whether they need ironing. You should avoid ironing silk whenever possible to protect against damage and scorch marks. If you do need to iron your silk clothes, check the care label first and use a low heat. Always apply heat to the underside of the fabric and consider using a clean, plain cloth as a barrier between the iron and the silk material.
Tomorrow I will be talking about pet care solutions featuring more amazing products from The Laundress. You will not want to miss this pet lovers!
So with these basic tips on how to wash silk garments, you can help your delicates get clean and fresh with minimal effort. With a bit of knowledge on your side you’ll keep clothes, scarves, and other treasured possessions looking great for longer. And save so much money by not dry cleaning.
Happy Sunday !!!
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