This World Earth Day, Olivia von Halle, in partnership with Clothes Doctor, shares exclusive tips, methods, and products for luxury silk clothing care.
We spoke to Founder Lulu O’Connor to unpack the best ways to treat and prolong the life of your favourite silk clothing.
As the founder of Clothes Doctor, a clothing care brand, you can probably imagine that I’ve always had a passion for fashion, and a weakness for beautiful fabrics and colours, like those of the gorgeous Olivia von Halle range. But it’s becoming increasingly understood that as a global community, we are not good at caring for our clothes. Too many items are made to look old before their time, through excessive use of toxic chemicals and sheer over-washing.
In a former life, I was one of those people who took a pile of silk dresses to the dry cleaners every week without giving it any further thought, but since then I have gone on a personal mission to uncover the truth about how we should all be caring for our clothes, to help them last a lifetime. So, it’s a huge thrill to have teamed up with Olivia von Halle, to share some advice on caring for your silk items, which I believe will make every time you put on your OvH garment feel like the first time again.
Silk is a beautiful fabric that is luxurious to wear, but the delicate fibres require special attention when it comes to caring for them. If you’ve always dry cleaned your silk items as their care labels will often advise, then I’m here to break it to you: most silk items are in fact better cared for at home (as long as your item is free from tailoring, padding, embellishments, or pleating).
1. HAND WASH
Gather these (Eco Wash for Silk & Delicates and OvH pyjamas)
I love silk and its luxurious and lustrous natural quality (which is basically what makes silk garments so wonderful to wear). But repeatedly dry cleaning it can cause silk to lose its lustre and softness. So, we’ve crafted a special pH neutral formula to allow you to wash your silk items at home, in our No. 4 Eco Wash for Silk and Delicates.
All you have to do is:
1. Fill a basin with cool water and add 2-3 caps of our Eco Wash for Silk & Delicates
2. Turn the garment inside out and gently submerge the garment and agitate the water with your hands to distribute the soap and water. (It is normal for a little dye to be released). Soak for up to 30 minutes.
3. Rinse with fresh cool water until the garment is free from soap and then gently press between your hands or against the sink.
4. Absorb excess water with a towel and leave to dry flat on towel. Alternatively, you can hang to dry, making sure to position the item correctly on a wooden hanger to prevent stretching.
2. OUR FAVOURITE TIP BETWEEN WASHES: STEAM IT!
At Clothes Doctor, we just love a light steam! By steaming you will refresh your garment, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and remove odour (as steaming will remove 96% of bacteria). The steam will cause the fibres and fabric to swell providing a fuller and more colourful look.
Extra tips: You can also use steaming for tailored or structured items with details such as beads or sequins, which may not be suited to submerging in water. Add a dash of our Eco Wash for Silk & Delicates for a delightful fragrance boost!
3. STORE RIGHT...
It’s important to store your item correctly, so to avoid creases we advise that you hang your silk garments on a wooden hanger if possible, although folding carefully in your drawer is another option if you prefer.
Although moths are better known for dining on cashmere and wool, they have been known to eat silk as well, so to protect your silk and ensure it continues to smell delicious (to us and not the moths) you can hang a Natural Fragrance Bag on the hanger as well. We even have these available by subscription (Anti-Moth Warrior Box) so you never forget to change them.
With our clothing care products we help bring a little slice of pleasure and luxury to your routine. Your silks will stay luxuriously soft and smelling divine, and you’ll retain the bright colours and texture of your favourite Olivia von Halle items through ditching the dry cleaner! You’re welcome!
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