Knowing how to iron silk is definitely achievable, but it simply isn’t as easy as with other fabrics. Essentially hailed as one of the best and the most known luxury fabrics in the fashion industry, silk also remains a challenging cloth to manage. When talking about maintaining and preserving the beauty of our silk pieces, learning how to iron silk, as well as to wash and store them is vital information for all owners.
How to Iron Silk
Managing your silk pieces isn’t rocket science, but it does help to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make your work a little easier. In fact, the way to iron silk is quite a similar approach for satin, suede, and velour pieces. With that, the best approach is to lean towards the method with less or no damage.
We have devised a quick guide for you so you no longer have to deal with over-scorched and burned silk pieces. After all, we all deserve to get the most use for all the clothes and garments we own. That said, here are our best practices when it comes to keeping your silk garments top quality.
Why Choose Silk?
Vulnerable, delicate, but undeniably beautiful, silk is one of those fabrics that many may consider a staple in their wardrobe. We can confidently say so not only because it is visually appealing, but because of how comfortable it is to wear, hypoallergenic to the skin, and kind to your hair.
If you have a silk piece, you may think that getting a cheap one won’t last you very long. But, you see, the price doesn’t really matter here. What’s important is the fact that you know how to take care of things that you own. That being said, we have a few key steps you can work on to maintain the integrity of your fabrics.
How to Iron Silk - Preparing the Fabric
As a vital first step on how to iron silk, it is important to make sure that the silk is washed clean of any stains and dirt. This ensures that no other chemicals will damage the fabric once it interacts with the heat. In this case, it also eases the work if the cloth is still slightly damp.
Another way to prepare your fabric is to make sure that the ironing board is also free from dirt, stain, and other things that may damage the silk. Preparing this surface is a vital part of the process on how to iron silk.
Dampening the Silk
If the material is creased and crumpled but is entirely dry, dampening the silk can soften it and make it easier to flatten. You can do so by spritzing some water into the fabric or running a steamer over it. A bit of fabric conditioner may be added for an enhanced effect.
However, it bears noting that applying too much steam on your silk clothing then subjecting it to direct heat may further damage it. In this case, a safe option would be to have a humidifier in your room or to hang the silk clothing you are going to wear in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.
Flattening Over an Even Surface
Once you have dampened the silk, place it over an even surface like a table or an ironing board, then smooth over it with your hand. This is one way to properly spread the fabric while reducing any further creases before applying any heat.
When ironing the silk, best practices dictate that you set the heat on the lowest setting in order to protect the fabric from the heat. While thicker silk variants may require more heat, it is better to err on the side of caution and keep the setting low. Moreover, working fast and precisely is key, because leaving the iron on any area for too long may eventually damage your silk piece, and what a waste that would be.
Storing to Avoid Wrinkling
When keeping your stored garments, we recommend you hang these pieces or store them alongside other silk and lightweight fabrics. Unlike other fabrics, silk is not the type of fabric you should fold. You should also avoid keeping them in confined spaces like drawers to prevent them from crumbling or creasing.
Knowing the best ways to store it is as important as learning how to iron silk clothing. That being said, our safest recommendation is to hang your pieces as well with a wooden hanger to further avoid crumpling and creasing.
How to Iron Silk with these Expert Tips
Ironing silk may come with a step-by-step guide, but still, there are some details about the fabric that experts in the fashion industry may warn you about.
One key example is how silk, unlike other fabrics, tends to fade when placed under direct sunlight, no matter how vivid the dye initially was. That being said, we can discern how the fabric doesn’t do well with direct harsh heat. So, that can be one of the things we may need to bear in mind with how to iron silk.
How to Iron Silk with More Steam, Less Heat
Silk is a particular kind of fabric, and one effective way to tame its creases is to use more steam instead of heat. With fabric moisture as a priority, there is no need to apply direct harsh heat onto the fabric to reduce any unwanted damages.
In the event that you do not own a steamer, you can make use of the humidity in the room. That said, humidifiers can be helpful, while some hang their silk pieces in the bathroom while they take a hot shower for the natural steam to remove fabric wrinkles.
Remember that silk can withstand a considerable threshold for heat, however, anything too hot may burn your silk pieces, so don’t take your chances. In addition to this, steaming your pieces with an effective appliance also reduces the odors and the bacteria build up on the fabric, especially for silk pieces that have been stored for too long. By keeping your silk garments fresh and ready for use, you can enjoy the fabric at its best quality, without harming your health or damaging your skin in the process.
How to Iron Silk with Pressing Instead of Ironing
Again, direct heat isn’t a particularly friendly acquaintance to silk pieces. Unlike cotton, ironing can damage the fabric, especially when it is not set to the lowest possible setting. The damage could melt your silk clothing, create stains, and cause irreparable damages to these pieces.
That being said, it is best to use the minimum heat setting on the iron, and press against the fabric using your own weight and gravity. This way, you can remove the wrinkles and creases without necessarily burning the silk piece.
Another way to do this is to put a relatively lightweight fabric on top of your silk clothing, then proceed to iron the cloth above it. This way, you can apply indirect heat with a layer of protection while flattening the cloth and removing the creases. The best choice of fabric for the top layer when ironing silk is a cotton sheet or a cotton-polyester blend that isn’t too thick or thin.
Fewer Creases with the Dryer
Another excellent way to remove crisp creases and crumples in your silk pieces is to put them in your dryer. Remember that you should set your dryer at the lowest possible setting, which may be labeled as no heat, cool, or air fluff for some models.
With that in mind, putting it there for a considerable amount of time helps the fabric dry out with fewer wrinkles and virtually no damage. In addition, it also helps to tumble your silk pieces with an appropriate mix of clothes to avoid any dye transfers. Then again, the best approach for delicate fabrics is almost always air-drying.
How to Iron Silk - In Conclusion
Understanding the principle behind how to iron silk properly may not be a life requirement, but it does save you a good lot of bucks when you have many silk clothing pieces to care for. Learning how to iron silk also guarantees a better cost per use for every silk item or garment you purchase - especially the high quality and luxury ones.
That said, every wardrobe will include a piece made with delicate fabrics at some point, and you need to know the basics of how to care for them. This practice puts more value into your belongings and cuts your costs from having to get a professional to do this work for you. With this guide on how to iron silk, we believe that you can further understand the basics you need to stick to and the principles you need to remember.
Ironing silk isn’t rocket science, but nor is it a walk in the park. That said, it helps if you can learn how to iron silk and get it done on your own. We hope this guide gets you through!
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