WASHING AND FINISHING OF SILK
AIM :---To learn the method of washing and finishing of a silk garment .
PREPARATION :---Re-pair tears and openings in the seams before washing
as these are lightly to enlarge during the washing process .
STAIN REMOVAL :---Fresh stains are preferably removed if possible with cold or warm water according to the nature of the stains . For old stains which are difficult to remove
use re - agents such as weak solutions of borax or sodium perborate for coloured silk . Gevelle water never be use for silks , as this will damage the fibre .
STEEPING :--- Steeping is not essential because silk is cleaned easily . Very soiled white and pale colored silks which are discolored by wear . May
be steeped in warm water for a short time . A small prepotion of borax , added
to the water will make it more effective .
SOAP AND WATER :---Silk material is of fine texture and is usually
an expensive fabric , so a good neutral soap should be used . Soap
flakes , soap fluid and re-etanal solution are suitable . water for silk
must be soft .
Dissolve soap in hot water and then add sufficient cold water to reduce the solution to looke warm temperature .
If the water is hard then add 1/2 teaspoon of borax or N H 3 to soften it . If re-etanut solution is used , strain it through muslin
before mixing it with more water .
PROCESS CLEANSING :---Cleansing is done by kneading and squeezing or
by suction washing . Press the article in the washing solution allow it to be saturated with soap and wash rubb lightly the most soiled parts
with additional lather . If the articles are very soiled add a little more
borax or NH3 in the washing solution .
Rins the silks in two or three warm waters
to remove the soiled soap from the fabric . Add a few drops of citric
acid or acetic acid to the lost rins ( which should be of cold water ) to
improve the sheen of the fabric .
STIFFENING OF SILKS :---There is a natural gum in the silk fibre , which
is stiffens by the final cold rinse giving a light stiffness to the fabric . If
extra stiffness is necessary add gum water to the last rinse . ( 2 teaspoons
to a 1/4 gallon of water ) Shirt fronts , tucks and corners are need more
stiffening and some added . Silk should be squeezed lightly by hand to remove the moisture .
DRYING :---Heat must be avoided and so , drying of silk is not done
in the sun . Small articles need no drying . After removing the moisture
these are rolled in a dry cloth for half an hour before Ironing . Big articles
and thick silks should be partly but evenly dried by hanging these in a shading place or indoors . Silks cannot be damped for ironing as the silk
fibre is not hygroscopic and the moisture will not be distributed evenly
and will leave water spots . so silk is not completely dried but kept slightly
damp for finishing .
FINISHING :---A hot iron will scorch silk while a cold one will drag and crease the surface . The heat of the iron should be tested on a piece of paper
if no mark is left on the paper until you have counted three . The temperature
is correct . All silks should be ironed till they are dry or creases will re -appear on the portions left damp .
COLORED SILKS :--- Fast colored silks are treated in the same way as white silks . To revive the freshness of the color use vinegar citric acid in the last rinse . Silks of doubtful color should be steeped for one or two minutes in cold water with two or three spoons of vinegar or a few drops of acetic acid .
Then wash quickly in lukewarm or almost in cold water . Rinse in several waters . Dry cleaning is advisable for silks .
CONCLUSION :---For silks proper method of laundering helps to keep the texture and the sheen of the fabric even after repeated washing and also
helps to prolong the life of the fabric .
use re - agents such as weak solutions of borax or sodium perborate for coloured silk . Gevelle water never be use for silks , as this will damage the fibre .
STEEPING :--- Steeping is not essential because silk is cleaned easily . Very soiled white and pale colored silks which are discolored by wear . May
be steeped in warm water for a short time . A small prepotion of borax , added
to the water will make it more effective .
SOAP AND WATER :---Silk material is of fine texture and is usually
an expensive fabric , so a good neutral soap should be used . Soap
flakes , soap fluid and re-etanal solution are suitable . water for silk
must be soft .
Dissolve soap in hot water and then add sufficient cold water to reduce the solution to looke warm temperature .
If the water is hard then add 1/2 teaspoon of borax or N H 3 to soften it . If re-etanut solution is used , strain it through muslin
before mixing it with more water .
PROCESS CLEANSING :---Cleansing is done by kneading and squeezing or
by suction washing . Press the article in the washing solution allow it to be saturated with soap and wash rubb lightly the most soiled parts
with additional lather . If the articles are very soiled add a little more
borax or NH3 in the washing solution .
Rins the silks in two or three warm waters
to remove the soiled soap from the fabric . Add a few drops of citric
acid or acetic acid to the lost rins ( which should be of cold water ) to
improve the sheen of the fabric .
STIFFENING OF SILKS :---There is a natural gum in the silk fibre , which
is stiffens by the final cold rinse giving a light stiffness to the fabric . If
extra stiffness is necessary add gum water to the last rinse . ( 2 teaspoons
to a 1/4 gallon of water ) Shirt fronts , tucks and corners are need more
stiffening and some added . Silk should be squeezed lightly by hand to remove the moisture .
DRYING :---Heat must be avoided and so , drying of silk is not done
in the sun . Small articles need no drying . After removing the moisture
these are rolled in a dry cloth for half an hour before Ironing . Big articles
and thick silks should be partly but evenly dried by hanging these in a shading place or indoors . Silks cannot be damped for ironing as the silk
fibre is not hygroscopic and the moisture will not be distributed evenly
and will leave water spots . so silk is not completely dried but kept slightly
damp for finishing .
FINISHING :---A hot iron will scorch silk while a cold one will drag and crease the surface . The heat of the iron should be tested on a piece of paper
if no mark is left on the paper until you have counted three . The temperature
is correct . All silks should be ironed till they are dry or creases will re -appear on the portions left damp .
COLORED SILKS :--- Fast colored silks are treated in the same way as white silks . To revive the freshness of the color use vinegar citric acid in the last rinse . Silks of doubtful color should be steeped for one or two minutes in cold water with two or three spoons of vinegar or a few drops of acetic acid .
Then wash quickly in lukewarm or almost in cold water . Rinse in several waters . Dry cleaning is advisable for silks .
CONCLUSION :---For silks proper method of laundering helps to keep the texture and the sheen of the fabric even after repeated washing and also
helps to prolong the life of the fabric .
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