Silk FAQ 6:

What is the best way to care for Thai silk fabric?

What is the best way to care for Thai silk?

     Dry cleaning seems to be the best way to keep Thai silk in good condition and maintain its original beauty, luster, and texture. However, I've seen claims that this will have a bad effect on the silk in the longterm. You can also hand wash it in lukewarm water using the mildest soap and I've seen experts extol the virtues of LuxFlakes and Woolite. Adding a tablespoonful of clear white vinegar to the final rinse is supposed to be a good tip.

     Never boil, bleach, wring, crumple or soak your Thai silk for a long period!

     After washing it, roll it up in an absorbent towel or other cloth to absorb most of the water -- but not tightly! Immediately remove it from the fabric roll and dry it in the shade, preferably where there's a mild breeze, and be sure it's well supported. If water drips from the silk then it's too wet.

     Iron Thai silk on the inside of the garment while it is still slightly damp. Some persons recommend using only a cool iron with the intent of pressing out wrinkles and not heating the fabric. If the silk is already dry and you are using a warm iron, apply a damp cloth on the outside of your silk fabric and iron through the cloth. Properly cared for Thai silk can easily last a century and be passed on to your children and grandchildren.

     NEWS FLASH 15 June 2006: Yesterday, while visiting one of our most respected and prolific weaving mills who have been in the silk trade for 2-3 generations, I saw them merrily using a steam iron on their latest line of Thai silk scarves and shawls — with nothing but good effects! So take all commandments about “proper care for Thai silk” with a grain of salt.

     We strongly recommend you have your custom woven Thai silk treated with our secret Thai method before we ship it to you! Our standard policy is to treat ALL our silk fabric unless you specifically request that we do NOT. For some Thai silk fabric uses, treatment may not be best. But standard policy for wholesale value-added silk products such as scarves is NO treatment unless you request it.

     We find that the recommendations of Ohio State University (Norma Pitts & Judith Wessel) regarding the care of silk fabric make a lot of sense.