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How do you iron silk clothes at home?

Published in Silk Care 3 mins read

Ironing silk clothes at home requires a gentle approach to avoid damage. Here's how to do it correctly, drawing on instructions provided in a video tutorial:

Preparation

  • Check the Garment Label: Always check the care label on your silk garment for specific ironing instructions.
  • Clean the Iron Plate: Make sure your iron's plate is clean and smooth to prevent snags.

Step-by-Step Ironing Guide

  1. Set the Iron to Low Heat: Use the lowest heat setting suitable for silk. Too much heat can scorch or damage the fabric.

  2. Dampen the Silk: Lightly spray the silk garment with water using a spray bottle until it is damp, not soaking wet. According to the YouTube tutorial "Next use your spray bottle to add moisture to the silk. The shirt should be damp. But not soaking wet". This step makes the fabric easier to iron and helps remove wrinkles.

  3. Use a Press Cloth: Place a clean, thin cotton press cloth over the area you want to iron. This protects the silk from direct heat. The video tutorial instructs to "use your cotton press cloth to cover the area that you wish to iron".

  4. Iron in Short Strokes: Iron the silk using short, light strokes. Avoid pressing down hard or holding the iron in one place for too long.

  5. Iron Inside Out: For added protection, especially with delicate silks, consider ironing the garment inside out. This minimizes the risk of damaging the outer surface.

  6. Avoid Direct Heat: Never iron directly on the silk without a press cloth.

  7. Hang Immediately: After ironing, hang your silk garment immediately to prevent new wrinkles from forming.

Summary

Step Action Reason
1. Heat Setting Set iron to the lowest setting. Prevents scorching.
2. Moisture Lightly dampen the garment with water. Makes ironing easier.
3. Protection Use a cotton press cloth over the silk. Protects the silk from direct heat.
4. Ironing Technique Short, light strokes, don't press too hard. Avoids damaging the delicate fibers.
5. Inside Out (Optional) Consider ironing inside out. Provides extra protection.
6. Avoid Direct Contact Never iron directly on the silk. Direct heat is harmful to silk fabric.
7. Hang Hang immediately after ironing. Prevents new wrinkles.

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