[ SILK ]

Care forsilk.

What is this?

Protein filament produced by silkworms. Weakened by heat, chlorine, and sustained UV exposure. Handle with reduced aggression.

Who is it for?

Anyone maintaining a silk specimen from the SOME DOSE catalogue or elsewhere.

What does it cost?

Reading time: approximately three minutes. No specialist equipment required for most steps.

How does it work?

Follow the steps in order. Consult the FAQ for edge cases. Check the material notes for context on why the fiber behaves as it does.

[ BRIEF ]

Background.

[ PROTOCOL ]

The steps.

1. 01

   Check the care label

   Some silk garments are dry clean only — particularly structured pieces with padding or fused linings. Confirm before attempting wet cleaning.

2. 02

   Hand wash cold

   Fill a basin with cold water (under 30°C) and add a small amount of detergent formulated for silk or delicate protein fibers. Submerge and gently move the specimen through the water for one to two minutes. Do not scrub or rub.

3. 03

   Rinse in cold water

   Rinse thoroughly in cold water of the same temperature. Temperature changes cause water spotting and can affect the hand of the fabric. A final rinse with a few drops of white vinegar restores pH balance and improves sheen.

4. 04

   Press — do not wring

   Lift the specimen from the water and gently press between the palms. Do not twist or wring. Lay on a clean dry towel and roll the towel to extract remaining moisture.

5. 05

   Dry flat or hang with care

   Reshape and dry flat in shade, away from direct sunlight. Light silk layers may hang if supported across the full shoulder width. Remove from direct sun before fully dry to prevent water spotting.

6. 06

   Iron cool with pressing cloth

   Iron on the lowest silk setting while slightly damp, using a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric. Iron on the reverse side. Never apply a hot iron directly to silk.

[ DO NOT ]

Contraindications.

• Do not machine wash — agitation damages the filament structure.
• Do not use hot water — dulls the sheen and weakens the fiber.
• Do not wring — causes permanent creasing and filament breakage.
• Do not dry in direct sunlight — UV degrades protein fibers and causes yellowing.
• Do not use biological detergents — enzyme action attacks protein fibers.
• Do not use bleach — destroys the fiber completely.

[ MATERIAL NOTES ]

Why it behaves this way.

Silk filament is produced continuously by Bombyx mori silkworms during cocoon construction. A single cocoon contains up to 1,500 metres of filament. Multiple filaments are wound together to form the yarn used in weaving. The triangular cross-section of individual filaments diffracts light — the basis of silk's optical properties. Heat flattens this cross-section irreversibly.

[ FREQUENTLY ASKED ]

Common questions.

Can silk be machine washed?

Some silk garments are rated for machine wash on a delicate or silk cycle in a mesh laundry bag with cold water. Check the care label. When in doubt, hand wash. Machine washing accelerates wear on silk specimens even on gentle settings.

How do you remove water spots from silk?

Wet the entire affected area evenly — spot-wetting silk causes ring marks because the water displaces the dye unevenly. Wet the full panel of fabric and allow to dry flat. This resets the dye distribution uniformly.

How do you iron silk without damaging it?

Iron on the lowest heat setting while the fabric is still slightly damp. Place a thin cotton pressing cloth between the iron and the silk. Iron on the reverse side in long, smooth strokes. Never iron dry silk — friction on dry silk causes shine and fiber damage.

How do you store silk garments?

Store folded in a cool, dark location away from direct light. Avoid hanging silk long-term — the weight can distort the fabric over time. Wrap in acid-free tissue paper for extended storage. Keep away from cedar (which can stain silk) and mothballs (which damage protein fibers).