Silk is an animal fiber of delicate texture. It needs special care in laundering.
1. Preparation and stain removing
Before washing, repair tears if any and verify up stains. Try to remove stains in fresh condition. For old stains, use weak solutions of borax or sodium perforate for coloured silk and hydrogen peroxides with a few drops of ammonia for white silk.
2. Steeping
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Steeping is not necessary, because silk is cleaned very easily. Very soiled white silks which are discoloured by wear may be steeped in warm water for a short time. A small proportion of borax, added to the water makes it more effective.
3. Cleansing and Washing
Prepare warm soapy water, using soap solution or soap flakes to make lather. Coloured silks are best washed in the reeta-nut solution. Reeta-nut solution not only cleanses the silk fabric but also prevents colour from running. Knead and squeeze gently in the lather and add extra soap solution, borax or ammonia through very soiled parts. Avoid rough handling such as rubbing, winging or twisting of the fabric.
4. Rinsing
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Use warm water for the first rinse and cold water for the final because this helps to stiffen the fabrics. A little lime juice may be added to the final rinse. This helps to clean the colour and renew the sheen.
5. Stiffening
There is a natural gum in the silk fiber, which is stiffened by the final cold rinse giving a light stiffness to the article. If extra stiffness is required add gum water to the last rinse. Procedure for stiffening is 2 teaspoonfuls of gum to a quarter of water. Squeeze lightly by hand to remove the moisture.
6. Drying
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Dry garments in a shady place and not in the sun. After removing the moisture these are rolled in a dry cloth for half an hour before ironing. Do not completely dry the silk but keep slightly damp for ironing and finishing. However, Tusser silk should be dried completely before finishing. This type of silk has more natural gum which melts with the heat of the iron. It makes the ironing easier by smoothening the material.
7. Dampening, ironing and finishing
Finish silks when evenly damp. Do not sprinkle water, as it leaves water marks. Warp the sarees in damp towels and unroll for ironing. Since silk is an animal fiber, it can be easily spoiled by the application of excessive heat. Therefore, precautions must be taken in finishing. A hot iron will scorch the silk, while a cold one will drag and crease the surface of the silk instead of giving it a smooth finish. Test the heat of the iron on a piece of paper. If no mark is left on the paper until you have counted three, the temperature is correct for the silk.
Iron white silks on the right side, if gloss is desired. All dark colours should be ironed on the wrong side to avoid a glaze. Tusser and silk should be ironed on the right and wrong sides according to their colour and surface finish. Cultivated silks must be ironed when evenly damp to get a uniform and smooth finish. However, all silks should be ironed till they are dry or else creases will reappear on the dampened portions.