The TLC Guide: Treasuring Long-Lasting Care for Rituaal Scarves.
Silk is a long-lasting material, and caring for your clothes is the most sustainable thing you can do for your wardrobe. Rituaal scarves are not your grandma’s scarves, but we want you to care for them as if they were family heirlooms. Follow these care tips to learn how to clean silk scarves, and to ensure your scarves remain beautiful for years to come.
The 3 things you need to give your scarves TLC:
A Steamer
Velvet Hangers
This Post. So keep reading!
Before Wearing your scarf:
Check the Condition: Ensure your scarf is in good shape. Use a steamer to remove wrinkles. If the scarf is damaged, seek a seamstress for repairs. If you can't access a seamstress, make sure the clothes and accessories you wear don’t contribute to further wear and tear.
Know Your Material: Understand what your scarf is made of. Not all scarves are pure silk; some are blends like silk and wool, silk and cotton, or synthetic materials like polyester, tencel, and rayon. This post is specifically for silk scarves, so adjust care tips accordingly. Note that satin refers to a weave, not a material; Rituaal’s scarves are mostly woven in a twill pattern, offering more texture and less sheen than satin.
Inspect the Edges: Scarves can have sewn edges, loose threads, or rolled hems. Hand-rolled hems are delicate and should not be hand-washed to avoid damage.
How to Clean Your Silk Scarf at Home
Rituaal’s scarves SHOULD NOT be hand-washed, however, cleaning a silk scarf at home is a split hair conversation, some people are in favor of it, and others -like us- aren’t.
Proper care when wearing and storing your scarves is essential to minimize the need for cleaning. If you have a vintage scarf you thrifted, and want to clean it, take it to the dry cleaners. For scarves with odors, deodorize them by steaming. This approach ensures your scarves remain in great condition without risking damage from home cleaning methods.
General Care Tips While Wearing Your Scarf
Avoid Perfumes and Lotions: Apply perfume and lotion at least 15 minutes before wearing your scarf to avoid stains. If you are using your scarf as a hair accessory, make sure your hair is dry and, free of products.
Be Cautious with Tops and Accessories: Scarves worn as tops or with accessories like handbags, hats, or shoes are more prone to stains and snags. Know the risk and be mindful about it.
Gentle Ironing: Iron on low heat with a cotton cloth barrier. Steaming is the best method to remove wrinkles. After steaming your scarf make sure it lays flat.
Undo Knots: Always undo knots after wearing to prevent wrinkles. Silk is very prone to wrinkles and it’s easier to de-wrinkle when you store your scarves without any knots.
How to Take Care of Silk Scarves
Avoid Hand Washing: Silk is delicate and weakens when wet. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for stains. If you think your scarf needs freshening up, occasional dry cleaning is sufficient, but sometimes steaming is enough.
Let Silk Breath & Air Out: Being a natural fiber, silk needs to breathe. If the scarf gets wet, lay it flat on a white towel to dry completely.
Storage
Breathable Storage: Avoid storing in boxes; silk needs to breathe. Store scarves in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and humidity to prevent color fading, mold, and odors. My favorite place is my closet where I can see them, so I always remember to wear them.
Hanging and Folding: Use velvet hangers or fold scarves in four and store them in a drawer or closet. Avoid wire or wooden hangers and over-folding to prevent creases. Ensure all knots are undone and the scarf is free of stains and damages before storage, some stains and spottings can attract animals, and you don’t want that.
Now that you know how to properly care for and store your silk scarves, wear them like they’re the most precious item in your wardrobe.
