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Removing Stains From Your Silk Sheets

You have purchased soft, luxurious, and oh so dreamy to sleep on silk sheets. You treat them with loving care, washing them often but washing and drying them gently. But now the unimaginable has happened. You have a stain on your silk sheets and do not know what to do.

Here is a list of common stains and tips on how to remove them. But there is a word of warning with this list. It is a general list for removing stains from silk, but you need to remember that not all silk is created alike. There are many different kinds which means that a method that removes a stain on one type of silk may not work on another type of silk. Always test the method on an inconspicuous section of the sheets first, like on a corner of the fitted sheet that does not show when it is on the bed.

Blood – This is probably the most common type of stain. The earlier you treat it the easier it is to remove it. If it is still fresh, sponge the stain with cold water that has salt in it (1 teaspoon of salt per cup of water). Then rinse with clear water and repeat if necessary.

If the blood stain has set, still try the salted water method before trying anything else since it is the least harsh method of removing the stain. If it does not work, try making a paste out of meat tenderizer and applying it to the stain. Pat gently to work the paste in and then rinse. How does meat tenderizer work on blood stains? It breaks down the proteins in the blood which should release them from the fabric.

A rather unorthodox method recommended by one silk expert for removing dried blood is to use saliva. Put saliva on a Q-tip and dab at the stop until the blood disappears, using a fresh Q-tip for each application of the saliva. Rinse with water.

Coffee and Tea – sponge with lukewarm water. Then apply glycerine (readily available online and at many natural products stores) and gently rub the fabric between your hands. Let it sit for half an hour; then rinse with warm water.

Perspiration Stains – use diluted ammonia (equal part of ammonia and water). Rinse well.

Lipstick and Makeup – try the laundry soap you use to regularly clean the sheets but in a little more concentrated form. If that does not work, try ammonia but be careful if the sheets are a dark color. Test in an inconspicuous place first and use as little as ammonia as possible. Start with 1 part ammonia to 3 parts water. If that doesn’t work increase the strength of the ammonia but never use anything stronger than 1 part ammonia to 1 part water.

Oily or Greasy Stains – try some liquid dishwashing soap letting it sit for few minutes. Rinse with water.

A Few Things To Never Use on Silk

Although many people reach for Biz or Oxi-Clean when they have a stain on something, do not use either of those products on silk. They will damage them.

So will bleach – it will turn your silk an ugly yellow color.

If you do not want to take any chances with stain removal on your silk sheets, take them to your local cleaner and ask if they can remove the stain for you. Or contact the manufacturer of the sheets for tips and help.

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