How to

What’s OKEO

The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used. Examples of articles that can be certified: raw and dyed/finished yarns, woven and knitted fabrics, accessories, such as buttons, zip fasteners, sewing threads or labels, ready-made articles of various types.

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was developed by European textile institutes who were committed to finding a way to reduce our environmental footprint. The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a global testing and accreditation program that successfully sets the standards for the screening of harmful substances in consumer textiles. Textiles can only be certified if all components meet the requirements submitted. 

All Mulberry Park Silks products are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified and have been tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants, ensuring that the silk products that you bring into your home are safe, natural and healthy.


Now, FREEDOMSILK is proud to inform our customers that all our silk bedding fabrics are certified by Oeko-Tex, completely chemical-free, no harmful substance added before and during the process of manufacture. Please feel assured to choose and purchase, in addition, if you still have doubts about the authenticity of our silk, get free swatches from us, burn it. 

The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s in response to the demand of the general public for textiles which are harmless to health. Poison in textiles and other negative headlines were widespread at this time and indiscriminately branded all chemicals used in textile manufacturing as negative and dangerous to health.

How to Clean a Silk Robe

A silk robe drapes the body in comfort and luxury. A delicate fabric, silk requires a gentle cleaning routine that prevents damage to the elegant material. Some silk garments may allow dry-cleaning only, but other manufacturers provide a less costly hand-washing solution to cleaning silk robes. Non-alkaline products provide a soft cleaning action for the fragile fabric. Clean your silk robe without fear using simple but effective washing techniques.

Remove any items from inside the robe pockets.

Fill a sink with lukewarm water. Add 1 tbsp. baby shampoo. Swish the water with your hand to create soap suds.

Place the silk robe into the soapy water. Move the robe gently within the water, allowing soap suds access to the entire garment. Swish the robe in the soapy water for two minutes.

Drain the water from the sink. Lift the robe out of the sink to rinse away all soap suds. Place the robe back into the sink and fill it with lukewarm water.

Lift the robe 1/4 way in and out of the water to help rinse soap suds from the clothing. Drain the water from the sink after rinsing the robe for one minute.

Lay one white towel over a hard surface. Place the robe flat over the towel. Lay another white towel over the top of the robe. Gently pat the top towel into the robe; do not smash the towel on top of robe. Allow the towels 30 minutes to absorb excess water from the robe.

Lay the damp silk robe onto a hard surface and dry flat, smoothing out any wrinkles

Tips & Warnings

You may also dry-clean a silk robe if preferred.
Do not use bleach on silk garments.
Avoid scrunching or squeezing water out of the silk robe after washing as it could wrinkle the fabric.

How to Keep Silk From Wrinkling

Pure silk is made from a natural protein-fiber obtained from the larvae of the mulberry silkworm; it has a tendency to wrinkle depending on the variety. Leaving crumpled silk garments in damp conditions also causes them to wrinkle. Some silks — like crepe de chine, habotai, noil and charmeuse — are less prone to wrinkling. Ahimsa silk — also known as “Peace Silk” because it is made from silkworm cocoons in which the silk worms are not killed — wrinkles less than other silks.

Step 1
Remove wrinkles with a hand-held steamer. Hang your silk clothes in breathable clothes-covers — in a dry place — to keep them wrinkle free.

Step 2
Iron smooth-finish silk like charmeuse on a “low” setting. Hang the garment in a breathable clothes-cover to keep it dry and to prevent it from touching other garments.

Step 3
Place the two ends of your tie together after you take it off. Roll up the tie around your finger. Slip the tie off your finger and leave it rolled up. This tightens the fabric and helps keep the tie wrinkle-free.

Step 4
Fold your silk garments after ironing. Place tissue paper between the folds. This prevents wrinkling when you store or pack the garment.

Tip
Hang up your silk garment in the bathroom when you take a hot shower. The hot steam relaxes the silk fibers. The natural weight of the garments pulls out most wrinkles.

How to Clean 100 Percent Silk Clothing

Silk fabric contains protein fibers that create the smooth texture synonymous with silk. However, 100 percent silk is very delicate, and any wash, detergent based soap or sunlight can damage the fabric and the clothing permanently. Hand wash 100 percent silk clothing to ensure the fabric is not damaged. More importantly, wash silk clothing with neutral-based pH-level soaps to avoid staining the fabric.

Fill a water bucket with lukewarm water. Placing silk in warm water will prevent shrinkage.

Add neutral- or alkaline-based soap. These soaps are not highly acidic, and they do not contain harmful detergents or bleaches, which can damage silk.

Soak the clothing in the soapy water for less than 10 minutes. Any longer, and it can damage the silk’s protein-based fibers.

Scrub the clothing to remove odors and stains. Avoid placing silk clothing inside a washing machine or dryer, as they may damage the fabric. If you must do so, wash and dry using the delicate cycle and mild soap.

Hang the clothing to dry. Avoid drying silk in direct sunlight, as sunlight may fade the color of wet silk. Also avoid using wooden drying racks, as they can stain the fabric.

How to Wash Silk Sheets

In ancient China, silk bedding was a status symbol and only available to the wealthy. Today, anybody can purchase this luscious fabric and enjoy the benefits of having silk sheets. Silk is a lightweight and breathable material that is also hypoallergenic, durable and perfect for both summer and winter months. High-quality silk sheets can be quite costly but will last for many years if cared for properly. Silk sheets should be washed by hand the first two to three times, but after that it is OK to launder them in a washing machine as long as you use the proper method.

Inspect the sheets for any stains and attempt to remove gently with warm water and a soft sponge. Do not scrub vigorously.

Set the washing machine to the delicate cycle and ensure that the water is lukewarm. Do not use the extra spin cycle; it is hard on silk fabric and can cause damage.

Add mild laundry detergent and fabric softener if desired. Use the amount recommended by the brand that you are using. Put the sheets in the washing machine for the set cycle time.

Hang sheets on a clothesline and allow to dry in an area out of direct sunlight, which can cause damage. Silk sheets can also be dried in the dryer on the lowest temperature setting.

Tips & Warnings
Silk sheets usually shrink slightly the first few times they are washed. This is normal and not cause for concern. Wash sheets separately from other laundry to prevent damage.
Do not use bleach on silk sheets.

Several Silk Types You Need to Know

Generally speaking, there are about 35 types of silk fibers. A majority of consumers are confused about numerous silk products. Today, I will introduce you to some basic and most commonly-seen silk types that we feel you need to know.

Mulberry silk
Mulberry silk is the long silk fiber produced by matured and domesticated silkworm when they secrete liquid silk, also known as “natural silk fiber”. It is the earliest animal fiber used by human being as well as the most genuine silk fiber for all kinds of silk clothes, which is lightweight, soft and absorptive of moisture. In addition, mulberry silk contains over 18 amino acids and protein fibers which is healthy for human skin and hair. For example, the hygroscopicity of mulberry silk comforter is 1.5 time higher than that of cotton comforters. Besides, mulberry silk is pretty hypoallergenic, and as a consequence, many dermatologists recommend silk bedding and apparel for aged and sick people. Compared to other silk fibers, mulberry silk is more luxurious and breathable. It may not that durable, but who’s going to use the same bedding for life?

Tussah Silk
Tussah silk, also known as ‘shantung’, is a type of wild silk, that is produced by silkworms that feed on oak and juniper leaves.
As the worm is not grown in a controlled environment, the moth hatches from the cocoon and interrupts the filament length, resulting in short and coarse fibers, instead of long and lustrous ones. Normally, it is widespread in China and other Asian countries like India, difficult to dye and most often available in its natural color, a creamy tan.
It is also lightweight and airy, as well as dressy, giving cool comfort to the wearer. Moreover, it does not wrinkle easily which makes it suitable for travelling.

Charmeuse Fabric

Charmeuse silk, technically speaking, does not refer to a type of material as Mulberry silk does; it is a silk fabric made with a particular way of weaving, allowing for extra luster and shine on the front side in exchange for a dull finish at the back. Charmeuse silk can be made from all kinds of different silk including Mulberry silk and is often used on products that does not require showcasing of both sides of the fabric such as pillowcases and duvet covers. Charmeuse silk offers better drape than crêpe de chine and works well for scarves, blouses and lingerie.

Chiffon Silk
A light, matt fabric made from fine twisted yarns, spaced out to make the fabric transparent. It is extremely soft and elastic, highly breathable and comfortable.
Dimension is added to garments by the creation of billows of fabric. Unless it is used for scarves, garments with chiffon normally require lining or backing.

Crêpe de Chine
A lightweight fabric made by mulberry silk fibres, where part of them are twisted clockwise and others in a counter-clockwise direction. These fibres are then woven in a plain-weave fabric. The twisted fibres give crêpe its distinctive ‘pebbly’ look and feel.

Comes in many different varieties – crêpe de Chine, Moroccan crêpe and crêpe georgette. It is comfortable and breathable and wrinkles easily at the rate of 8%.

Dupion Silk Fabric
Doupion silk is produced from two silkworms that spin a cocoon together. This makes a strong double-thread silk, usually resulting in a rough yarn and irregularity in sheerness or weight.Black specks which occasionally appear in the fabric are part of the original cocoon of the silk worm. Removing them would both weaken the fabric and destroy part of its beauty and character. They are inherent to dupion silk fabric and should not be considered as defects in weaving. Hence, doupion silk is durable and lustrous, and resists wrinkles to some extent.

Habotai Silk
It is also known as China silk, Habutai, Pongee. The “classic” silk fabric, was first used to line kimonos, with plain-weave fabric.Its weight can range from 5 mm to the heavier 12 mm. Most scarves are made of 8mm Habotai. Soft and lightweight, Habotai silk is a kind of smooth fabric and has a beautiful drape and smooth surface.

 

Identify Real Silk

1. Flames:

– Genuine quality silk: Burning genuine silk produces a smell very similar to that of burning human hair. The flame is close to invisible when burning the edge of the real silk fabric. Very soon after the flame source is taken away from the fabric, the silk will self-extinguish.
– Fake silk: Most fake silk are in fact petroleum based polyester products. When burned, these materials tend to combust rapidly in intense flames, and give a smell of burning plastic.

2. Ashes

– Genuine silk: The ash from burning is black, crispy and turns to powder easily when grinded.
– Fake silk: The ash of fake silk tend to be sticky, twisted, and difficult to break apart.

 

How do I iron my silk?

Ironing silk can be tricky because of the heat involved. Permanent damage may be caused if one is not careful. Silk is best ironed when slightly damp, with the iron put on a cool setting. Below is the details steps to follow when you need to iron your silk sheets and/or sleepwear:

1. Preparing your silk
Silk is best when ironed damp in order to minimize the effects of the iron’s heat. We recommend ironing right after a wash.
– If you handwash your silk, squeeze very gently after rinsing to remove excess water from the fabric. Remember: DO NOT WRING/TWIST the silk, it may break silk threads and cause stretch/tear.
– If you use a washing machine, you may iron directly.

2. Other preprations before ironing
– Make sure the surface of your iron is clean. If your iron is stained with metal stains, you may remove them by applying a baking soda solution. DO NOT IRON if your iron is dirty or have metal stains as it may permanently ruin the silk.
– Set the iron to be either on a delicate or silk setting, or the lowest setting if there is no specific settings for silk.
– Prepare a pure cotton sheet of white or natural color and lay the sheet on the ironing board. This is to prevent coloring of the ironing board to leach onto your silk, which may cause permanent damage to your silk.

3. Ironing your silk
– Silk fabrics tend to use weaves that give a shiny surface and a dull, matte back. Always iron the backside.
– You are going to iron silk part by part. Make sure the part you are ironing is smoothed out without wrinkles.
– You may iron the silk directly if the setting is on silk, but generally we recommend using a press cloth to cover the area you are aiming to iron to prevent potential damage. A small piece of thin cotton cloth would be ideal for the press cloth in this case.
– Press the iron to the surface of the silk (or the piece of press cloth) to start ironing. Keep the iron moving to avoid local overheating which causes silk fiber deformations.
– Once you finish ironing one part of the silk, smooth out another part and move the press cloth over to start ironing until you are done.

To summarize, some points to watch out for are:
– Only iron when silk is damp.
– DO NOT WRING/TWIST silk to remove excessive water.
– Clean your iron beforehand.
– Use an undyed sheet between the ironing board and the silk.
– Iron the inside (dull side) of your silk.
– Do not leave the iron in one place for too long.

We recommend you iron your silk after every wash or two washes. Regular ironing helps preserve the natural sheen of silk and may extend shelf life of silk considerably.

How do I dry my silk?

The recommended way to dry silk is by hanging it in a place with good air circulation. Air drying silk best allows the silk to retain its shape afterwards. Avoid contact with direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can damage silk fibers as well as cause colors to fade.

Drying machines and hair dryers can also be used, however these are not recommended as they may cause permanent damage to the silk.

  • For machine drying, leave the drying machine on cool setting and tumble dry. Keep drying time as little as possible, as the friction involved may cause breakage in silk fibers or white streaks.
  • For hair dryers, make sure you use a heatless setting. Continuous heating from a hair dryer would cause brittleness in silk fiber and dull the perfect luster.