Dry cleaning is recommended for all pure silks but only if necessary.  You can however hand wash silk if you follow these guidelines.

Soak stains out in cool water as soon as possible. Launder in cool water with mild soap (non-alkaline) or use a small amount of any soap you would use to wash your own hands or hair. Silk is a protein like our skin so - no bleach, no "brighteners", no harsh detergent. These will eat the silk. A good shampoo works best on silk. It will remove oil and revitalize your silk. Again, do not use an alkaline shampoo or one which contains ingredients such as wax, petroleum, or their derivatives, as these products will leave a residue on your silk and may cause "oil" spots. Do not use hot or very cold water as this will shock and therefore weaken the fiber.

Hanging or laying flat to dry is best. Do this out of the direct sunlight, which damages the silk. Roll it lightly in a towel, allowing the towel to absorb the water, or a light squeeze (but not wringing) will speed up the process and a shake or two during drying will prevent stiffness. If a silk item should get wet, roll it lightly in a towel allowing the towel to absorb the water. Remember, silk can absorb up to 30% of it's own weight in water without feeling wet to the touch. Never leave the item in the towel or in a crumpled condition.

When ironing silk, use a cool iron. Take special care not to apply too much pressure at the seams. The iron should be used more as a means to apply gentle pressure to gradually erase out creases, rather than as a means to heat the fabric. Heat is bad for silk.

Also remember to keep substances that contain alcohol away from your silk. Let your perfume, hair spray and deodorant dry before you dress.

Caring for Silk(two)-Caring for Silk(two)