Mulberry silk is one of those fabrics that deserves special attention. It’s elegant, luxurious, and has that unmistakable soft texture that just feels amazing on your skin. With just a few simple techniques, you can extend the life of your silk pieces and keep them as radiant as the day you got them. And don’t you worry, it’s not that much of a daunting task. Here’s your guide to taking care of mulberry silk, made easy.

1. Washing

Mulberry silk is a natural fiber, which means it benefits from gentle washing. Here’s how to wash silk properly, without damaging its delicate texture:

• Hand Wash in Cold Water: We know how it sounds, but hand washing silk is not that much of a work, and it would be worth it. Silk fabric is soft and light so you won’t have to use much force on it. Use a small amount of gentle, silk-friendly detergent and swirl the garment gently in the water. Avoid scrubbing or twisting, as these actions can weaken the fibers and dull the shine of your mulberry silk.
• Skip Bleach and Strong Detergents: Silk is sensitive to harsh chemicals, so always avoid bleach and strong detergents. Cold water and gentle soap are all you need to clean silk effectively. Wash your silk like how you would bathe a baby, nice and gentle. 
• Quick Rinse: After washing, rinse your silk piece with cold water until all the detergent is gone. A thorough rinse will keep your silk smooth and free of any residue. No one wants icky white spots on their clothes, don’t they?

2. Drying

Drying mulberry silk properly is crucial to maintaining its flowing shape and shiny quality. And here is how to do it:

• Pat with a Towel: Place your washed silk piece on a clean, dry towel, then gently roll it up to remove excess water. Don’t twist, it’s the last thing you want to do to delicate silk. Pat gently instead to avoid creasing or stretching the natural fibers.
• Lay Flat to Air Dry: Lay your silk flat on a drying rack or clean surface to dry. Keep your silk in the shade, as direct sunlight can “fry up” your silk, making it lose its vibrant color. Until they invent some kind of sunscreen for silk, you just have to keep it away from the sun. 

3. Ironing

If your silk ever gets too wrinkly for your liking, here’s how to iron it without burning out a hole in the surface (we’ve been there):

• Iron on Low Heat: Set your iron to the lowest heat setting or the silk option if available. Iron on the reverse side (the non-shiny side) or use a pressing cloth to avoid direct heat. Add a bit of steam to relax the fabric gently. You can use a spray bottle if you don’t have a steam iron. 
• Alternative Steaming: Now here’s a fun way to take care of wrinkled silk. For a quick, natural way to remove wrinkles, hang the silk in your bathroom while taking a hot shower. The steam can help soften any creases without direct heat. How convenient is that? Just make sure to hang the silk in a cool, airy place to dry naturally afterwards and you are good to go. 

4. Storing

When it comes to storing silk, a little thought goes a long way. We’re not saying you have to overthink it and buy a separate closet for your silk. All you need to do is following these rules:

• Fold Rather Than Hang: Heavy silk garments are best stored folded with tissue paper to avoid creasing. For lightweight items like blouses, use padded hangers to prevent stretching at the shoulders.
• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Store silk in a space that is cool and dry to avoid excess moisture or heat. Keeping silk in fabric pouches instead of plastic helps it breathe, and again, silk is a natural fiber, and anything that comes from nature needs to breathe. That’s why fabric pouches would be better for your silk and will help keep your silk soft and shiny forever. 

Conclusion

Mulberry silk is high maintenance, but so are you. Wearing silk is amazing for your skin in both look and feel. It’s cool to the touch, looks expensive, and makes you feel like a princess whenever you wear it, so it makes sense that you have to give it a little bit of extra care and attention compared to other types of fabric. But a little bit of care goes a long way, and with these simple steps, you can keep your mulberry silk looking and feeling amazing for years.