<p>I have a beautiful Thai silk thing I want to have framed. It’s an African scene with elephants, zebras etc. Anyway, it’s been folded for years and is all creased. I assume it’s ok to iron it? My iron doesn’t have a silk setting. Would I do permanent press? I don’t iron much.</p>
<p>You want to use a very very low setting with no steam. You could also put a towel or something over it to iron it at a higher setting.</p>
<p>Take it to a good dry cleaners!</p>
<p>My mom used to iron such delicates through several layers of slightly damp (almost completely dry!!) cheesecloth.</p>
<p>This link supplies some good directions: [Tips</a> on Pressing Raw Silk Curtains | eHow](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/list_6870889_tips-pressing-raw-silk-curtains.html#page=0]Tips”>http://www.ehow.com/list_6870889_tips-pressing-raw-silk-curtains.html#page=0)</p>
<p>Avoid drycleaners like the plague!!!</p>
<p>I agree with BB: no dry cleaners! They destroy silk items with regularity. I would iron it on the back side using a low setting. If that doesn’t seem to be working, up the heat very carefully or add moisture. Regarding moisture, what you want to avoid is spotting. If the whole thing is evenly moistened, it should be fine. If your iron spits water blotches, as many do from time to time, I would consider something like the cheese cloth or a dampened thin cotton dishcloth. If you have the kind that are made of thin sacking, that would be great. Just make sure it is evenly dampened.</p>
<p>Also be sure that you are not ironing dust and dirt into it and setting stains. Lots of times fabrics that have been folded and stored for a long time have developed discolorations and won’t come out, unfortunately. Even sweat from hands that have touched it. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I got a lot of conflicting advice, here and from IRL friends. I settled on the highest permanent press setting and a damp cotton bandana. Came out well. I’ve had really bad experiences with dry cleaners too, especially when dealing with fabrics from other countries.</p>
<p>I use a pillowcase between the iron and the silk … and NO steam!!</p>