To wash a silk scarf, use cold water, pH-neutral soap and your hands: no wringing, no scrubbing and no washing machine. Silk is a protein fiber, just like hair, and reacts poorly to heat, chlorine and alkaline soaps, such as regular powdered detergent. With the right care, a silk scarf keeps its color and sheen for many years.

Before washing your scarves

Read the care label, which tells you whether the piece can be hand-washed or requires dry cleaning. Then do a colorfastness test: dampen a corner of the scarf with cold water and press a white cloth against it for a few seconds. If the cloth comes away stained, the print is bleeding dye and the scarf should be washed by a specialized cleaner.

For double-sided scarves, which are worn on both sides, test both faces.

Step-by-step guide to hand-washing scarves

1. Fill a basin with cold or, at most, lukewarm water, up to 30°C.

2. Dissolve a small amount of liquid pH-neutral soap or detergent for delicates. A pH-neutral shampoo also works.

3. Submerge the scarf and move it around with your hands for two to three minutes, without scrubbing. Don't let it soak for more than five minutes.

4. Rinse in cold water until all the soap is gone. In the final rinse, one tablespoon of white vinegar per liter of water helps remove soap residue.

5. Don't wring it. Press the scarf between your hands or roll it in a dry towel and squeeze to remove excess water.

How to dry

Lay the scarf flat on a clean towel or hang it on a padded hanger, always in the shade. Direct sunlight fades the print and weakens the fiber, and a dryer shrinks and distorts the piece. Clothespins also leave marks: if you need to use a clothesline, drape the scarf over the line without pinning it.

How to iron

Iron the scarf while it is still slightly damp, on the iron's lowest setting or the one recommended for silk. A thin cotton cloth between the iron and the piece prevents shine and marks. Avoid direct steam, because water droplets can stain silk. For double-sided scarves, the pressing cloth is a must, since both sides are on display.

The most common stains on scarves

• Perfume and deodorant. The alcohol in perfume can stain silk. Apply it before putting on the scarf and let it dry.

• Makeup. Remove the excess with a tissue, without spreading it, and wash the area with cold water and a drop of pH-neutral soap.

• Grease. Cover the stain with talcum powder or cornstarch, let it sit for a few hours and remove it with a soft brush before washing.

• Water marks. Splashes can leave rings on silk. The fix is to wet the entire piece evenly and let it dry again.

• Wine and coffee. Blot right away with paper, without rubbing, and rinse with cold water. If the stain persists, take it to a dry cleaner.

Never use chlorine bleach, regular stain removers or hot water on silk.

How to store your scarves

Always store your scarf clean and dry. Rolling it around a cardboard tube prevents permanent creases; folding also works, as long as you change where the fold falls from time to time. Choose cotton pouches or the original box over plastic bags, which keep the fiber from breathing, and keep it away from direct light.

And how do you care for other scarf fabrics?

For Cashmere, the posts how to care for Cashmere and how to store Cashmere cover each step in detail.

When to take your scarves to the dry cleaner

Look for a dry cleaner that works with silk if the colorfastness test releases dye, if the stain is old or greasy and won't come out with the care above, or if the label calls for dry cleaning.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash a silk scarf in the washing machine?

Hand-washing is best. The machine's agitation and spin cycle can fray and mark silk. If the label allows it, use a delicate cycle, cold water and a mesh laundry bag.

Can you use fabric softener on a silk scarf?

It isn't necessary, and fabric softener can leave residue on the fiber. To keep it soft to the touch, use diluted white vinegar in the final rinse.

How do you get wrinkles out of a silk scarf without an iron?

Hang the scarf in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam in the room releases light creases without direct contact with the piece.

Does a silk scarf fade?

It can fade with direct sunlight, hot water and powdered detergent. If you wash it in cold water with pH-neutral soap and dry it in the shade, the color lasts for many years.

How often should I wash a silk scarf?

Only when there is a stain or odor. After wearing, letting the scarf air out for a few hours is usually enough, and every wash you skip helps preserve the fiber.