How to Wet Clean Wool, Silk and Rayon

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posted by Annie B. Bond May 23, 2007 12:00 am

filed under: Blogs, Ask Annie, dry clean only, dry cleaning, rayon, silk, wool

7 comments

Claudia, ME asks:

I'd like to avoid dry cleaning because of the chemicals used. Can I wash clothes by hand that say “Dry Clean Only?”

Annie: I often get this question at this time of year, and I always welcome it because it enables me to reprint my directions for wet washing wool, rayon, and silk. Almost all dry cleaning establishments in the country clean with perchloroethylene (perc), a probable carcinogen, neurotoxic chlorinated solvent that bioaccumulates in fat and is suspected endocrine disrupter, meaning it is a chemical that may confuse the body into thinking it is estrogen! Until the dry cleaning industry changes, we can take charge of getting our "dry clean only" fabrics cleaned safely by learning the wet clean process. Through hard earned experience--I shrunk a lot of rayon outfits three sizes before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong--I’ve finally learned how to wet clean wool, rayon and silk. The most critical bit of information you need to know is that it is the agitation of wool, silk and rayon that causes the shrinkage of the fabric, not just hot water. Even the agitation of the gentle cycle in a washing machine is too much agitation for these fabrics. Make sure to spot-test the fabric for colorfastness first. Wet Cleaning Wool and Silk

Hand wash in a sink by gently swirling the clothes in cool water; never twist or wring out wool or silk.
Use a mild detergent with a pH below 7 for wool, such as Infinity Heavenly Horsetail, available in health food stores. A mild liquid castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s baby soap is best for cleaning silk, since it won’t strip the natural oils. Any harsh lye-based soap with a pH above 10 will destroy silk.
If necessary, spot clean with vinegar or lemon juice, but test for dye color fastness first.
Gently press water from the fabric. Block wool--lay it flat on a towel and stretch it to the correct size and shape--before drying; it will dry to the blocked size. Wool is resilient and recovers quickly from wrinkling if hung. Hang dry silk. Rayon
Rayon absolutely must not be agitated at all; it is a weak fiber and shrinks easily.
Follow washing directions for cleaning wool and silk, with one big difference: rayon is an alkaline fabric, and acidic detergents can harm the fabric. Don’t spot clean rayon with acidic vinegar. Most all-purpose detergents will be fine to use, or a liquid castile soap. Even a harsh detergent won’t harm rayon.
Gently press out water, and hang dry.

Note that I haven’t tested this method on expensive wool coats and jackets. I spot clean such clothes with vinegar.

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Celine S. says
Jul 23, 2009 3:42 PM

Would someone be able to help me: I got some bike grease on a white rayon shirt wrap I have. What would the best way to get this out be? Can I use bleach?
Many Thanks!

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Heather Richey says
Feb 17, 2008 10:27 AM

I must again recommend Orvis® soap for wool. I also mentioned this in the moth ball question area. The stuff works.

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Greta R. says
Jun 26, 2007 6:38 AM

I will now wet wash my rayon shirt...and save 12 Canadian dollars and help save the planet at the same time!

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Buchun Das says
Jun 24, 2007 7:06 AM

I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND YOUR ADVICE SO PRATICAL AND EASY TO FOLLOW PARTICULARLY THESE SORT OF TIPS WHICH REALLY DO HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HATE USING ANYTHING THAT HURTS ANIMALS EVEN BUGS AND WANT TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT PURE BUCHUN

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Geneva N. Daniels says
Jun 24, 2007 5:24 AM

This was very very helpful. The advice of cleaning wool and silk is just right.

Thank you Annie

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Bev Ritz says
Jun 22, 2007 10:00 AM

THIS WAS GREAT ADVICE ANNIE, AND I HAVE EMAILED THIS TO ALL MY FRIENDS! THANKS. BEV RITZ

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Janna Spektor says
Jun 5, 2007 2:13 PM

I like your advices Annie and will use them, especially for wool

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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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