Silk care instructions for Indian silks

❀ Basic of Indian Silks

Indian silks stand testimony to the rich and glorious history of india and mirror its cultural diversity. The speciality in the weave, pattern, color and design of indian silks from each region are developed dased on its location, climate and cultural influences. Indian Silks have been popular all across the world since time immemorial.

India produces all 4 commercial varieties of silks - Mulberry, Tasar, Eri and Muga. Tasar, Eri and Muga Silks have been together branded as Vanya Silks.

❀ Advantages of Wearing Silks

∗ Silk is a soft, luxurious textile that is both versatile & durable.

∗ Absorbent properties of silk help stay cool in summers.

∗ Excellent thermal properties of silk help stay warm in winters.

∗ Silk has impressive hygroscopic properties, making it suitable to wear in any climate.

∗ Low density of silk makes it light and comfortable wear.

∗ Antistatic properties of silk make it skin friendly and safe.

∗ Suppleness aided by resilience and elasticity of silk, gives it an excellent drapeability.

❀ Be Alert While Buying Silks

The high demand for silk has led to serious distortions and malpractices in the silk value chain. Adulterations with lookalike fibers like Nylon, Rayon, Polyester etc, which may be hardly 10% of the cost of pure silk, is rampant. It is very difficult for the consumers to detect the same and these products are passed on as pure silk.

India took the lead by launching Silk Mark with the twin objectives of Consumer Protection and Generic Promotion of silk. Thus the Silk Mark Label, of assurance of pure silk, came into existence and has become the only quality assurance mark for silks across the world.

❀ Basic Silk Purity Testing

The purity of silk can be easily ascertained by a simple Flame Test. Take out a few threads of the fabric and burn them from their ends. The threads burn differently for different fabric as stated below.

☞ SILK : Burns slowly leaving a black residue which crumbles easily with fingers, giving burnt hair smell.

☞ COTTON / RAYON : Burns continuously with paper burning smell, leaving white ash.

☞ NYLON / POLYESTER : Burns fast and melts like plastic, forming hard uncrushable beads.

❀ Wash, Dry & Iron Your Pure Silks The Right Way

∗ For first three washes, dry cleaning is advisable for silks.

∗ If ever silk is washed in water, ensure it is washed in soft lukewarm water using a good neutral soap only.

∗ Squeeze lightly with hand to remove water after washing.

∗ Always dry the silk in shade only on a flat surface instead of hanging.

∗ Use low to medium heat while ironing.

∗ Always iron silk on the reverse side.

∗ Never spray water to dampen silk before ironing as it may cause water spots on the fabric.

∗ Do not wash stains with water, instead give it for dry cleaning.

❀ Store Your Pure Silks The Right Way

∗ Store your silks in a clean and dry environment using cotton bags, avoid plastic covers.

∗ Avoid direct contact with wood.

∗ Protect silk from insects, dust, excessive moisture and light.

∗ Periodically (every 3~6 months) expose silks to fresh air and store after reversing the folds.

∗ Wrap silk sarees in cotton cloth or brown paper to avoid blackening of zari.

∗ Keep silica gel sachets in storage racks.

Source :

Silk Mark Organisation Of India

www.silkmarkindia.com | csb.gov.in

ISSUED IN PUBLIC INTEREST BY SILK MARK ORGANISATION OF INDIA