CARE GUIDE

How to wash, dry and store your beloved pieces

At SILK&plum, we believe that a garment is a story told in thread. Every piece we create is a work of craftsmanship, and to assist you in its preservation, each garment arrives with a dedicated care label sewn inside.These labels offer the specific, primary instructions tailored to that unique piece. We recommend consulting them as your first point of truth before any cleaning ritual.

To complement those labels, we have curated this educational guide. Luxury fabrics are living materials; with the right touch and a deeper understanding of their nature, they don’t just last - they age beautifully.

1. cashmere

The Soft Gold of Knitwear
  • Sourced for its unparalleled warmth and ethereal lightness, our cashmere is a testament to nature’s ability to provide comfort in its purest form. Cashmere is harvested from the downy undercoat of goats, making it significantly warmer and softer than standard wool. Because these fibers are so fine, they require a "low-stress" lifestyle.

  • The Science of Washing: While your care label may recommend dry cleaning, cashmere actually thrives with gentle hand-washing. Use cold water and a specialized pH-neutral detergent designed for protein fibers (wool/silk/cashmere).

  • The Gentle Touch: Submerge the garment and gently squeeze the water through—never scrub, as friction causes the fibers to pill or create small fuzz balls.

  • The Drying Ritual: Never wring cashmere; this snaps the delicate fibers. Instead, lay it flat on a plush white towel and roll it up like a sleeping bag to absorb moisture. Unroll and reshape it by hand, laying it flat in the shade. Direct sunlight can cook natural fibers, making them brittle.

  • Storage Wisdom: Always store cashmere folded. Gravity is the enemy of knitwear; hanging it will cause the garment to stretch and lose its architectural shape.

2. Silk

The Queen of fibers

Whether it is the liquid-like drape of Mulberry Silk or the structural ‘scroop’ of Dupioni Silk, this fiber is as delicate as it is luxurious. These are the most ancient and celebrated of all luxury fibers.

  • Mulberry silk vs. Dupioni: Mulberry silk is smooth and uniform, while Dupioni features natural slubs or irregularities. Both are highly sensitive to water. We recommend Professional Dry Cleaning for structured sets to maintain their shape and finish.

  • The Spot-Clean Method: For your Mulberry scarves, you can spot-clean small marks if necessary. Use a silk-safe detergent and treat the area with a soft cloth. Pro-tip: Treat the entire section rather than just a tiny dot to prevent water rings from forming as it dries.

  • Sun Protection: Think of silk as you would your own skin. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight burns the silk, leading to fading and yellowing. Store your silks in a cool, dark wardrobe on padded hangers.

3. Wool

Nature's Intelligent Shield

Wool is a resilient, breathable, and naturally antimicrobial fiber. It is surprisingly self-cleaning; often, a simple airing out near an open window is enough to refresh it.

  • The Felting Risk: Wool fibers are covered in microscopic scales. When subjected to heat and agitation (like a washing machine), these scales lock together—this is called felting, and it is irreversible.

  • Care Protocol: If a wash is necessary, follow the Cashmere method: cold water, gentle detergent, and flat drying. Though some labels suggest hand-washing is possible, avoid any heavy agitation.

  • Resting your Wool: Wool needs rest. Avoid wearing the same wool garment two days in a row; giving it 24 hours to rest allows the fibers to spring back to their original shape.

4. Jacquards

The Masterpieces of the Loom
  • Unlike wool and silk, Jacquard is not just a fabric; it is a complex weave where the pattern is built into the structure of the material rather than printed on top. 

  • Our jacquards are selected for their structural artistry. We utilize high-performance filaments that allow for incredibly intricate, multi-dimensional patterns and a vibrant color- fastness that lasts a lifetime. By weaving the design directly into the structure of the cloth, we create a fabric with a memory for its shape—ensuring your garment remains a structured masterpiece every time you wear it. 

  • The Metallic Factor: Many of our jacquards feature metallic or Lurex threads. These are incredibly sensitive to chemicals and heat. Dry cleaning is mandatory for metallic jacquards to prevent the threads from tarnished, melting, or losing their brilliant shimmer.

  • Avoiding Snags: Because jacquard patterns often have "floats" (raised threads), be mindful of jewellery or sharp handbags that might catch on the intricate weave.

Luxury garments are not disposable fashion. They are companions for years to come. By following the instructions on your garment care label and utilizing the techniques in this guide, you are not just cleaning your clothes; you are preserving a piece of craftsmanship.