Silk fabric is very delicate and thin, so removing a stain from your favorite blouse or tie can be a real problem. The task is further complicated if the stain is from a stubborn liquid such as coffee. To facilitate the task of removing the stain, you need to start removing it immediately, as soon as it is placed, not allowing it to be absorbed deeply into the tissue.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: The vinegar-water method
This method is more effective if the stain is fresh.
Step 1. Gently remove (shake off) the coffee liquid from the surface of the fabric as much as possible
Make sure the coffee does not spread to other areas of the silk fabric. Also, do not rub coffee deeper into the fabric.
Step 2. If it is too late to shake the coffee liquid off the silk surface that has already begun to soak, place a paper towel or clean cloth over the coffee stain
Allow the liquid to soak into the towel / napkin / rag, preventing spreading to other areas.
Step 3. Dip a clean sponge or cloth in cold water and squeeze out the liquid to keep the sponge (rag) damp, but not wet
Step 4. With a sponge or cloth, gently wipe the spot where the stain has formed
Continue wiping until some of the coffee liquid is gone from the silk.
Step 5. Mix equal proportions of cold water and clear vinegar in a small bowl
It is sufficient to take 3 to 5 tablespoons of each liquid, but you may need more (or less) depending on the size of the stain.
Step 6. In the resulting liquid, moisten a sponge or cloth - and wipe the spot with the stain
Do not saturate the silk with the resulting solution - tap the silk with light movements so that the stain disappears. Repeat the process (wetting the sponge and patting) until the coffee stain is removed from the silk.
Method 2 of 2: The vinegar method
This method should be used if the stain in the silk has already been absorbed and cannot completely come off with the vinegar and water method (described above).
Step 1. Use an eyedropper to apply the vinegar liquid directly to the stain
There should be enough vinegar to moisten the entire stain. Leave the silk soaked in vinegar for 3 - 5 minutes for the acid to work.
Step 2. Soak an absorbent sponge (napkin) in cold water and apply to the stain, gently pressing into the fabric
Step 3. When some part of the stain has already absorbed into the sponge, put it aside
Step 4. Apply a dry, clean, absorbent tissue to the stained silk to absorb the liquid
Repeat the process one at a time: cleaning with a wet sponge - drying with a dry cloth until the stain is completely removed.
Advice
- If the stain is very stubborn or has already been absorbed and dried, it may be better to take your clothes straight to a dry cleaner, where they can remove the stain without damaging the fabric.
- Instead of directly wetting the stain with vinegar, you can use alcohol. The procedure, in this case, must be repeated in the same way as the vinegar method.
Warnings
Before starting to clean (using the above methods) on the entire area, try first on a small area to make sure there is no negative effect of liquids on the fabric. If silk is dyed, wetting it with vinegar or alcohol can cause it to change color or shade, so make sure the fabric is resistant to solutions beforehand
Things You’ll Need
- Paper towels
- A clean rag or piece of cloth
- Clean sponge
- Absorbent wipes
- Cold water
- Vinegar
- Pipette