How to wash and take good care of your satin clothes

What to take into account when washing satin clothes?

When following the steps below, the first thing you need to make sure of is that what you have in your hands is a satin garment, as it can be confused with silk due to its soft and shiny finish.

Silk is a natural fibre and with it we obtain high quality, delicate and exclusive garments. For this reason, they require exceptional care both for washing and for storing them until their next use if we do not want the garment to start to tarnish quickly.

Satin, on the other hand, is an artificial material created to resemble silk. This is achieved by combining different materials such as polyester, cotton and even previously used silk. This makes the production process much less laborious and the garments much more affordable and easier to care for.

From this textile blend we get the shiny finish. Its smooth feel, meanwhile, is achieved by using very long threads, which makes it essential to avoid fraying, as this is where the deterioration of the clothes begins to show.

How to wash your satin clothes

As we have told you before, satin garments are much easier to treat than silk ones. You don’t need to take them to the dry cleaners, rather, you can wash them yourself at home, if you follow the small steps below.

First, don’t forget to check the labels on your garments to see if they contain any specific specifications.

If not, the best way to wash your garments is to wash them by hand, in cold water and using a detergent specifically for delicate clothes. Simply fill a bucket with cold water, add the detergent, mix well and immerse your satin garment inside out for 3-5 minutes. Then remove the detergent also with cold water and wring out the excess water, without twisting the garment.

Can silk garments be washed in the washing machine?

If you have no choice but to machine wash your satin clothes, check first by looking at the label, if that is possible. If you see a symbol of a bucket full of water on the label, it means that you can wash your satin items in the washing machine.

Set the washing machine on cold water (maximum 30 °C), on a delicate cycle and do not spin-dry. Use a delicate detergent for washing machines and do not use bleach or fabric softeners, as items in this fabric do not require them.

Drying your satin garments: what to consider?

The most important thing: never, never use the dryer. Instead, air dry your satin garments- it won’t take long- and do not expose them to direct sunlight. This will prevent the colours from changing and the satin from losing its characteristic lustre.

How to iron your satin dress, trousers or shirt

Now that you have your garment clean and dry, don’t be careless with the iron!

The temperature should be very low, in fact, as low as your appliance will allow, with no steam. Place the item inside out, keep a piece of cloth between the iron and the satin garment to avoid unpleasant surprises and iron with quick strokes.

Tip: if you let the garment dry hanging, after coming out of the washing machine or after having washed it by hand, there is no need to iron it.

What you should NOT do with your satin garment if you want it to last for years

Never wash your satin garments in hot water, as they will shrink.
As we said, if you want them to keep their shine, do not use the dryer for your satin-finish garments.

Avoid using bleach or strong detergents on your satin pieces, although we are not dealing with silk, it is still a delicate fabric.
Do not dry satin items in direct sunlight, they deteriorate much faster and it is really not necessary, as they dry very quickly.

As you can see, it is not so complicated to extend the life of your satin clothes. A little extra care when washing and storing will ensure you enjoy them for much longer. Now you have no excuse not to incorporate them into your looks.