Silk is a delicate, soft fabric used in blouses, gowns, shirts, and ties. Sadly, sweat is an unavoidable factor in life and it can result in unsightly sweat stains on your silk garment. Although sweat stains on silk garments are hard to remove, using the proper cleaning agents can help get rid of the stains effectively. Read further to learn more about the methods on how to remove sweat stains from silk blouses.
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Effective steps on how to remove sweat stains from silk blouses
Let us now proceed to the steps on how to remove sweat stains from silk blouses below.
- Prepare a solution of one part water and one-part white vinegar. With a white cloth or towel, soak up the solution and blot onto the stained area. Always dilute the vinegar with water. It is recommended to conduct a test on a concealed area on the garment to ensure that the vinegar solution will not discolor the fabric.
- Tap on the stained area on your silk blouse carefully. Avoid rubbing on the delicate fabric. Continue to blot and add more solution as needed to lift the stain from the fabric.
- Prepare a paste by mixing a tablespoon of tartar and 2-3 pulverized tablets of aspirin with 1-2 tablespoons of warm water. Dab the paste on the stained area if the vinegar solution cannot effectively remove the stain. Leave the paste on the fabric for up to 20 minutes.
- Rinse the silk garment to get rid of the vinegar solution or tartar paste. Moisten a white towel with warm water and blot onto the fabric to eliminate leftover cleaners from the garment.
Ways on how to remove dullness from silk garments
In case you wrongly handled washable silk, it will lose its sheen and turn dull. Take note that this is not a stain but takes on a whitish film that covers the entire garment. Luckily, you can still restore the original shine of the silk garment with these steps.
- Soak in a vinegar solution. In a bucket or deep sink, prepare a solution with ¼ cup white distilled vinegar to each gallon of lukewarm water. Combine thoroughly. Submerge the garment completely and swish around to saturate the fabric. Remove the garment from the solution and rinse several times in clean water. Avoid wringing out the excess water.
- Spread the garment on a heavy white towel and roll up to absorb the excess water. Repeat this process until most of the water has been absorbed.
- Hang the garment to air dry by using a plastic-molded hanger. Avoid using wood since it can stain. Avoid hanging under the sun. Iron the fabric on the opposite side while still damp using the low heat setting.
It is important to note that excessively high temperatures while ironing can damage silk, wool or other protein-based fibers. The yellowing or scorching occurs once the fibers start to burn. Sadly, the burned fibers cannot be restored. When ironing silk, always use the lowest heat setting along with a pressing cloth to prevent any water spots from damaging the silk fabric.
Video: How to get sweat stains out of silk
How do you prevent sweat stains on a silk blouse?
Although sweating cannot be controlled, you might be having second thoughts on wearing a silk blouse, especially during the summer season. Luckily, there are some tricks to prevent sweat stains from setting in the first place.
- Wearing an undershirt. Although it will not keep you cooler but wearing an extra layer between your armpits and your silk blouse will help lessen stains as well as preserve its overall appearance. An alternative is to use armpit pads that are specially designed to soak up the sweat before they seep through.
- Groomed underarm hair. If there is excess underarm hair, it can easily trap moisture. With this in mind, it is recommended to keep your underarm hair trimmed and tidy to allow sweat to dry up faster and lessen any lingering odor.
- Wear less deodorant. There is no proof that applying several layers of deodorant can keep you smelling fresh and dry longer. Remember that the liberal application of deodorant will allow sweat to seep into your silk blouse. It is best to apply a single layer and wait until it dries up completely before wearing your shirt.
Can dry cleaners remove stains from silk
For most, silk is a highly delicate fabric that most do not want to try to clean at home. When taken to the dry cleaners, they utilize a variety of solvents to get rid of stubborn stains. Some of these products include specific tannin removers, hydrogen peroxide, and vegetable-based products.
Once the dry cleaners have the right information, they have an arsenal of techniques that can remove stains on silk fabric without using unnecessary heat, pressure or detergents that can compromise the overall quality of your silk garments.
Does silk show sweat marks
Silk is a soft, lush fabric comprised of protein fibers produced by silkworms. The fabric boasts a natural sheen, drapes well, good permeability and easily dyed. Sadly, it deteriorates with heat and perspiration and weakens if wet.
Sweat stains on silk can be quite evident. The best approach is to hand wash silk fabrics. Remember that although silk is washable, the dyes are not often stable. If printed or color-blocked, it is best to test first for color bleeding to ensure the best results.
Final thoughts
Silk is a highly delicate fabric that requires proper care, especially when dealing with unappealing stains. With the methods on how to remove sweat stains from silk blouses, you can effectively remove the stains without damaging your delicate silk blouses.
