You can expect your silk bedding to last 10-15 years if you care for it properly. Yet, what does “caring for it properly” actually mean? What do you need to do so it can have this incredible 15 year lifespan?
Well, there are three responsibilities that you have when you own a mulberry silk comforter.
- First, you need to protect it when it’s in use.
- Second, you need to use a safe and gentle method to clean it.
- Third and finally, you need to take extra precautions when you store it.
So, how do you protect, clean, and store your silk comforter properly?
How to Protect Your Silk Comforter
To protect your comforter when you’re using it, always use a duvet cover. A duvet cover protects the silk from any real damage. For example, if you use a duvet cover, your comforter never comes into contact with your body while you sleep. This means that it never soaks up your sweat and other body oils, keeping it perfectly clean no matter how many times you sleep under it.
However, many of you might not want to use a duvet cover with your silk comforter because you want to feel the fabric against your skin. After all, the soft, smooth texture is one of the reasons why you wanted silk bedding in the first place. So, what should you do if you want to protect your comforter, but still feel the luxurious texture of silk?
Well, there is a solution to this dilemma– use a bamboo duvet cover! Bamboo has all of the advantages of silk, including its soft, silky texture, without any of the disadvantages. For example, you can easily clean bamboo by tossing it into the washing machine! All you have to do is select the gentle cycle and wash it in cold water.
If you want to discover more about bamboo duvet covers, then read The Advantages of Bamboo Duvet Covers.
How to Clean Your Silk Comforter
In a perfect world, you shouldn’t ever need to clean your silk comforter if you use a duvet cover. However, we don’t live in a perfect world and life happens. Maybe your kids “borrowed” your gorgeous comforter to make a fort and dragged it through the dirt, or you got up for a midnight snack and spilled your drink all over your bedspread. Whatever the case may be, you might need to clean your bedding someday.
If you are in this situation, whatever you do, don’t try to wash your silk bedding in the washing machine! The silk will harden and snag, ruining your precious comforter.
So, how do you wash silk without damaging it? Well, depending on how dirty it is, there are three ways to clean silk bedding.
- Sun Curing
- Spot Washing
- Professional Cleaning
Sun Curing
What if you haven’t done anything in particular to dirty your bedding, but you haven’t been using a duvet cover either? First off, don’t worry– there’s still a way you can take care of your comforter. You can use sun curing to clean it!
Sun curing is the best way to clean your comforter at home. This technique dries up any body oils that your comforter may have soaked up. Moreover, it cleans your comforter without damaging it. Since there are no harsh chemicals to harden the silk or viscous spin cycles to snag the thread, your comforter stays in pristine condition.
To clean silk using sun curing, follow these steps:
- Keep your duvet cover on your comforter. If you don’t have a duvet cover, you can also use a tarp or an old sheet. This will protect it from the dirt and other debris outside.
- Lay your comforter flat on the ground in direct sunlight for one hour.
- Flip your comforter over and lay it in the sun for an additional hour.
- That’s it! You’re done!
If you are in a hurry, you can also toss your comforter into the dryer on low heat. However, this method is much riskier. The dryer can still tear the fabric. Additionally, the silk will harden if the comforter is left in the dryer for more than 30 minutes.
Spot Washing
What if you spill a drink or food onto your bedding? The answer is to spot wash the area. To spot wash silk, follow these steps:
- Soak a sponge in warm, soapy water.
- Wring the sponge out in the sink so most of the water is gone. It should be damp, but not dripping.
- Gently dab the stained area with the sponge.
- Let it air dry.
- Repeat until stain is removed.
If the stain persists, move onto the next section and take your bedding to a professional.
Professional Cleaning
If your silk bedding needs a deep clean, then you need to take it to a professional. If you try to wash silk yourself, you will probably ruin it. Instead, try to find a dry cleaner or a wet cleaner that specializes in silk. They will be able to properly clean your bedding without damaging it.
How to Store Your Silk Comforter
The last thing you should know about owning a mulberry silk comforter is how to store it. While your silk bedding is cozy and warm in the winter, it might be a little too much in the summer. So, how do you store your silk bedspread?
To store your silk bedding, follow these steps (included below):
- Air out your comforter.
- Neatly fold your comforter and place it in a bag.
- Toss in a couple of silica beads to absorb moisture.
- Add a few cedar balls to repel bugs.
- Close the bag, ensuring that it is air tight.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
Now that you know how to protect, clean, and store it, purchasing a mulberry silk comforter is a lot less risky. You know that you’ll be able to properly care for it and you can help it last for years. So, are you ready to upgrade to a soft, sumptuous silk comforter today?