How to care for an eco-printed textile

Washing

Silk rarely needs washing. Airing it often does the job. When it does need a wash:

1. Fill a clean basin with cold water and add a very small amount of pH-neutral soap.
2. Wash the piece on its own and move it gently through the water for a short time. Don’t soak it.
3. Rinse well in cold water.
4. Press out the water with a clean towel. Don’t wring or twist it.

Avoid bleach, fabric softener and ordinary laundry detergent. Plant colours can be sensitive to pH, and harsh products can shift the colour and weaken silk.

Drying and ironing

Dry the piece flat or on a padded hanger, in the shade and away from radiators. If it needs ironing, iron it while it is still slightly damp, on the silk setting and on the reverse side.

Wearing

Put on perfume and hairspray before you put on the scarf, and let them dry. Alcohol and oils can mark silk and change plant colour.

Hanging as textile art

Light damage to textiles is cumulative and can’t be reversed, so the most important choice is where a piece hangs.

• Choose a wall out of direct sun, away from heaters and damp.
• Hang the cloth from a rod or a sleeve so its weight is spread evenly. Avoid pins and nails through the fabric.
• If you frame it, use UV-filtering glass or acrylic, and don’t let the cloth touch the glass.
• Give it a rest in the dark from time to time, as museums do with their textiles.

Storing

Store a piece clean and dry. Roll it or fold it loosely in a cotton bag or acid-free tissue, away from light and moths. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture.

Every LeafSilk piece is different. If you are unsure about yours, write to us and we’ll advise you.

Sources

1. Eco printed scarf care notes, Made It
2. Wash care tips, Soho Scarves
3. Textiles and the Environment, Canadian Conservation Institute
4. Protecting your textiles, Museums Galleries Scotland
5. Displaying, handling and storing textiles, Museums Association