<p>I have successfully washed silk shirts and dresses on the gentle cycle of my washer. I hang them to dry and iron them. They are fine. These are not “washable silk” they are just plain old silk.</p>
<p>Just don’t put them in them in the dryer for a complete dry cycle…ok for a couple of minutes to take some of the water out…but not until completely dry.</p>
<p>Changing the subject a little but since this audience seems well-versed on avoiding unnecessary dry cleaning…</p>
<p>Does anyone know why some cashmere sweaters can be washed w/o ill effect and others tighten up and shrink?</p>
<p>Also, agree with those above about the effectiveness of ironing clothing while slightly damp.</p>
<p>I have hand washed cashmere sweaters in Woollite…then laid them out, reshaped to dry flat. Works fine. They will get all misshapen in the washer. They will most definitely shrink if put in the dryer. I did that once too! Turned an expensive cashmere sweater into lovely doll clothes.</p>
<p>^^^Assuming you are handling the cashmere sweaters exactly the same way, it might be because not all cashmere skeins of yarn are handled the same way at the mills. Some yarns are washed in scalding hot water, others in luke warm water. Different ply/weight also will react to washing differently. Three of the most important things when washing cashmere: 1) Use a detergent specially formulated for delicate fabrics, such as Woolite, as thumper points out. 2) Turn the garment inside out. 3) Do not wring. Remove excess water by rolling the garment in a dry towel then lay flat to dry on another dry towel after putting the garment as close to possible back to its original shape, as thumper also points out.</p>
<p>Just checking back in to say thanks for all the great silk-washing advice and support.
Used mesh bag, cold water, gentle cycle, and woolite. Rolled wet dress in a towel to get rid of extra water. Hung indoors to dry.
Haven’t ironed yet, but so far so good. Taking myself out to lunch with the $$ I saved on dry cleaning!
Thanks again for the words of wisdom.</p>
<p>Just found out my Nat Nast Silk shirt is “dry clean only”. </p>
<p>Based on the discussion here, it seems cold water hand wash with air drying are o.k. for most of the silk pieces. Has anyone washed a Nat Nast silk shirt this way?</p>
<p>All silk shirts say “dry clean only” on the care tags, I believe. I hand wash all of mine…but really, if it’s a huge concern, take it to the cleaners!</p>
<p>Dad II, silk does not like temperature changes. So wash it in cold water, rinse it in cold water and do not put in the dryer. I wash Mr B’s silk aloha shirts all the time.</p>
<p>Where did you get the shirt, dadII? Those are pricey little silk shirts!</p>
<p>Another thing…once the shirt is washed, and dried, you will need to iron it, or it will look like you slept in your clothes. Cool iron.</p>
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<p>Nordstrom and, yes, they are pricey. It is about time we live the life a little.</p>
<p>Thank you BB. I will do the cold water hand wash. Just love the shirt a lot.</p>
<p>Thumper makes a good point - do not forget to iron the shirts after drying. Leave them just slightly damp and use the “silk” setting on your iron. Steaming works, too. </p>
<p>You will never get to $10 million in savings for retirement if you spend your meager earnings on pricey silk shirts at Nordstrom:) </p>
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<p>Never say never. Some of my investments are doing very well. </p>
<p>Helps that other institutions made investments in your family instead of you, when it sounds like you could well afford to have done it yourself. </p>