If you have recently purchased a little black dress made out of silk, then you undoubtedly want to take care of your cocktail dress investment. Silk does require some special care to keep it looking nice. To learn about some great cleaning tips to keep your dress beautiful, keep reading.

Test For Bleeding Dyes

Most silk fabrics are quite thin, with an average weight between 12 and 19 mommes. This measurement translates to the number of pounds that a piece of 100 foot by 45 inch piece of the fabric weighs. For example, a piece of 15 momme fabric will weigh 15 pounds if a 100 foot by 45 inch piece of the fabric is cut and weighed. The thin nature of the silk means that it is extremely delicate. However, fabrics with a momme weight closer to 19 are going to be more durable than 12 momme varieties. If you can, ask the dress retailer about the weight of the dress you purchase so you can understand how to clean it.

Most lightweight silk fabrics will need to be dry cleaned to reduce rip and tear damage. If your silk dress is made from a thicker momme fabric, then it can be washed at home. This is usually true even if the tag on the dress says "dry clean." However, keep in mind that tags that say "dry clean only" along with thin weight fabrics need to be dry cleaned. Also, if your dress contains bright colored trim and if the fabric bleeds, then dry cleaning is wise.

To test for bleeding dyes, turn your dress inside out and look for a hidden seam on the inside of the dress. Mix a small amount of lukewarm water with a few drops of laundry detergent. Dip a cotton swab in the solution, then gently dab at the seam. If you notice dye on the swab or if you see dye bleeding from one area of the seam to the other, then have the dress dry cleaned. Otherwise, hand wash the garment in cold water at home. You can do this in a plastic tub, your sink, or your bathtub. Use only about a quarter of the amount of detergent that you normally would and use your hand to gently agitate or move the dress around in the water. Gently rinse the dress afterwards in clean cold water and hang it up when you are done. 

Remove Stains Carefully

If you notice a stain on your silk gown, then you should work to remove the stain immediately. However, it is not a good idea to blot at the stain with water or another liquid unless you treat the entire dress. Water can release small amounts of dyes along the stain area that will make the dress appear discolored or blotched in the region. Other ingredients like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, that are typically used to release fabric stains, can lighten the dye or deteriorate the silk fabric. To eliminate these issues, start by treating the stain with a powder material.

If you notice a grease or oil stain on your silk dress, then sprinkle either cornstarch or baby powder over the stain. Wait overnight and allow the powder to soak up the stain. Discard the powder and treat the area again if you still see a mark. If a blood stain appears on the silk, then sprinkle meat tenderizer on it. This material will help to break up the protein bonds in the stain. Salt can be used as a general stain remover as well. Once the treatment is completed, wash the dress like you normally would. This will help to remove the last bit of the stain. If all treatments fail, then invest in dry cleaning. 

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