How to Wash Your New Silk Robe

In this article we will discuss how to care for your new silk robe from Mulberry Park Silks, Blissy or Slip. A silk robe  is the very definition of wearable luxury. Like our beautiful sheets, it is also washable. You can hand or machine wash your silk robe with no need for dry cleaning. Read our simple instructions for how to wash your silk robe safely.

A Silk Robe: Luxurious, Beautiful, and Easy to Care For

Here atMulberry Park Silks, nothing brings us more joy than making our clients happy. So, when we were inundated with requests to design and market a silk robe, we were truly pleased to deliver. Just in time for the 2022 holiday season, we introduced what has already become one of our best sellers: apure silk robe made from the same 22 momme weight silk we use in oursignature sheets in a lustrous charmeuse weave. (Readmore about what momme means in silk here).

Thiskimono style robe is available in five stunning shades – Ivory, Gunmetal, Sage, Black, and Plum – in a generous one-size-fits most design. It features convenient hanging loops, interior ties for secure closure, and an external belt for a perfect fit. We’ve even added two sewn-in tabs with button closures for pinning up the sleeves when needed. Truly, this robe is the definition of a luxury garment. But just because it’s beautiful, doesn’t mean it’s hard to care for. In fact, you can wash silk robes right at home, either in your washing machine or by hand, with no need to dry clean.

Simple Steps for Machine Washing Your Pure Mulberry Silk Robe 

1. Pick the right detergent for washable silk. Silk is a natural, protein-based fiber. It should be washed with a gentle, pH-neutral detergent that is made without enzymes, which can degrade the integrity of silk fiber over time.Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent will clean and care for your silk without causing damage. Choose from Fragrance-Free/Hypoallergenic scent which is dermatologist tested and lab certified; Lavender Mist; or Spring Magnolia.
   
2. Use afine mesh laundry bag. Place your robe inside a zippered mesh laundry bag to protect it from damage inside, including burrs in the metal of your washing machine drum which can tear and snag delicate fabric.
3. Pre-treat any stains prior to washing (see below for more information on stain removal).
4. Wash your robe either by itself or in a silk-only load (for example, with pillowcases or sheets) as other fabrics can damage silk in the wash.
5. Use the proper amount of detergent. Never use fabric softener or bleach when washing silk clothes or bedding.
6. Wash on a delicate cycle or silk cycle with cool water.
7. Remove your robe after the wash and gently shake it out (do not wring).
8. Hang your robe and belt or lay it flat to dry away from direct sunlight, which can cause it to fade.
9. Don’t put your silk robe in the dryer, as heat can damage the natural fibers,
10. There is no need to iron your silk robe. With a wearing or two, the wrinkles will release on their own. You can choose to steam it or, if you must iron, do so on the coolest setting; press quickly from the reverse side; and use a clean white towel in between the iron and the silk. Use the same process for pressing out the sash.

How to Hand Wash Your Silk Robe

If you are hand washing your silk robe, there is no need to use a mesh laundry bag. Simply fill a silk basin or sink with cool water; add a tablespoon or so of Silk and Wool Detergent; and agitate with your hand to mix. Place your robe in the water and “swish” it for 30 seconds or so. Leave it in the water for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse in cool water. Don’t wring out your silk robe; roll it in a clean white towel and press to remove excess water. Follow the drying instructions we offer above.

Treating Stains on Your Silk Robe

As we mentioned earlier, regular cleaning of silk lingerie should be done using a gentle detergent made without enzymes. Many stains—particularly biological stains like sweat and blood—are protein based, which can make them a bit tricky to treat. For biological stains on your robe, we suggest the following:

• To remove a blood stain, place your robe under the faucet and run water through the reverse side to “force” the stain out. Cold water is quite effective at removing blood (do not use warm water or hot water, which will cause the blood to coagulate and become more difficult to remove).

• For a sweat stain, use a mild solution of white vinegar and water and soak the robe prior to washing.

For tough stains that do not rinse out with these methods, it is okay to use a mild detergent made for fine fabric to pre-soak your robe. We recommend Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent, which is a plant-based formula with a proprietary enzyme blend. Again, this should be done only on a limited basis for difficult stains, not for regular washing of your silk (although Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent is perfect for regular washing of other fabrics like cotton, synthetics, and blends). Use a mild solution of lukewarm water in a sink or basin with a tablespoon or so detergent and soak your robe prior to washing (no longer than 30 minutes). You can also try a commercial stain remover, as long as it is marked safe for silk. In these cases, we always recommend testing on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.

Feel free to contact us at any time with questions on caring for your silk robe; silk pillowcase and sheets; silk bedding; silk accessories; and more.