Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves

[carolle]

I have been washing my scarves too - after much reading and research in TPF and I have had excellent results. I also use tepid water, gentle baby shampoo, and vinegar then lots of rinsing.

I was wondering however if I can use the same technique for dip dyes?

 

[qb20]

a friend of mine ask to a SA where to give her scarves in paris, the SA give her the address where they send theirs - "pressing de la Madeleine" - i will search exactly where it is and give the info.

Pressing de la Madeleine is AMAZING, they work miracles. I just got a Hermes scarf back from them today and they didn't put pleats in - the woman said the scarf would get them back naturally from being stored in the box, that it was better to leave it without because ironing them in would damage the scarf. I think it looks weird without the fold marks. Any thoughts from the experts here, how do your scarves look when you get them back from the cleaners? This is my first Hermès carre so I have no idea.

 

[birkinmary]

Pressing de la Madeleine is AMAZING, they work miracles. I just got a Hermes scarf back from them today and they didn't put pleats in - the woman said the scarf would get them back naturally from being stored in the box, that it was better to leave it without because ironing them in would damage the scarf. I think it looks weird without the fold marks. Any thoughts from the experts here, how do your scarves look when you get them back from the cleaners? This is my first Hermès carre so I have no idea.

I don't like the scarves with strong fold marks so I do as your cleaner said and fold them inside their boxes without ironing them, the pleats are more subtle.

 

[purplepoodles]

I have been washing my scarves too - after much reading and research in TPF and I have had excellent results. I also use tepid water, gentle baby shampoo, and vinegar then lots of rinsing.

I was wondering however if I can use the same technique for dip dyes?

I have washed my one & only dipdye in the the washing machine, hand wash cycle, cold water & a now discontinued Nature Clean Delicate Cleaner. It has been washed three times so far & looks the same as when it came from the store and the smell is almost gone.

Has anyone noticed a strange acrid smell from the dypdies? I'm not referring to the normal slightly acrid heady expensive & intoxicating smell that can occasionally be found on a "new in glassine paper bag" scarf. (scarf sniffing anyone, could be a expensive addiction?)This is a catch in your throat & cough smell, or perhaps my allergies are acting up again.

 

[provcoll]

I did notice that smell and that was one of the reasons I returned it, the other reason was the design, too classic for me

I have washed my one & only dipdye in the the washing machine, hand wash cycle, cold water & a now discontinued Nature Clean Delicate Cleaner. It has been washed three times so far & looks the same as when it came from the store and the smell is almost gone.

Has anyone noticed a strange acrid smell from the dypdies? I'm not referring to the normal slightly acrid heady expensive & intoxicating smell that can occasionally be found on a "new in glassine paper bag" scarf. (scarf sniffing anyone, could be a expensive addiction?)This is a catch in your throat & cough smell, or perhaps my allergies are acting up again.

 

[maryg1]

has anyone ever hand-washed a plissé?

 

[fleursetcarlines]

has anyone ever hand-washed a plissé?

Hi

No and they can't be handwashed. While I handwash my HS I sent mine to Hermes for dry cleaning. Home washing means the pleats will ease and so you can end up with a semi pleated scarf. And then there is the very expensive and long business of sending the plisse to Paris for repleating.

So I really would not advise this.

BW

fleurs.

 

[maryg1]

^thank you Fleur, that's what I was thinking too

 

[lanit]

I have quite a few scarves with contrasting borders (Tigre Royal Red Border with white center). Do you recommend not handwashing these due to potential color run? I would really like to handwash but am afraid most of my scarves have the contrasting border. Another one is the Japonaise Equitation, but I am also afraid of color run. Photos below of my scarves.

 

[doreenjoy]

I've washed dozens of contrasting hem scarves, no problems. Some were high contrast, such as black with a white hem.

The keys to avoiding dye runs are:

* keep the scarf moving in the water; don't let it sit
* if you live in the USA, the Shout brand "Color Catchers" work great at soaking up excess dye in the wash water
* use tepid water, not hot or very warm water
* when you take the scarf out, lay it flat on a towel and roll iet up. Don't let the scarf sit in a ball after you take it out of the water

Hope that helps.

 

[purplepoodles]

Thanks for replying, thought I was a bit nuts about smells. Yes Astrologie is a true classic I have several & love them all. The c/ws that didn't work for me were passed on to friends & family. Perfect first HS. Live in jeans so the dipdye was a natural. Positive the washing will work eventually.

Love your avitar! Perfect c/w for Chaque Encountre est Unique, very serene. I have one in shades of blue & love it, but yours is perfect.

I did notice that smell and that was one of the reasons I returned it, the other reason was the design, too classic for me

 

[lanit]

I've washed dozens of contrasting hem scarves, no problems. Some were high contrast, such as black with a white hem.

The keys to avoiding dye runs are:

* keep the scarf moving in the water; don't let it sit
* if you live in the USA, the Shout brand "Color Catchers" work great at soaking up excess dye in the wash water
* use tepid water, not hot or very warm water
* when you take the scarf out, lay it flat on a towel and roll iet up. Don't let the scarf sit in a ball after you take it out of the water

Hope that helps.

Thank you Doreenjoy-I am going to make an attempt sometime soon-so this is very helpful. Do you recommend a certain silk wash (for US)? I see some names I am not familiar with and thought perhaps they were only available in Europe.

 

[doreenjoy]

Thank you Doreenjoy-I am going to make an attempt sometime soon-so this is very helpful. Do you recommend a certain silk wash (for US)? I see some names I am not familiar with and thought perhaps they were only available in Europe.

I might get banned for this, but I use a drop of regular old dish soap -- something without many scents or additives. The ms important thing is to rinse, rinse, rinse to get any soap off the scarf.

For stubborn stains, I dribble a little soap on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.

 

[Bienchen]

For stubborn stains, I dribble a little soap on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.

I second this. DH bought me a beautiful merino wool wrap for Christmas which I wore on Boxing Day. I made breakfast in the morning and being a bit prone to clumsiness, I dropped a brand new tub of 500ml tub of double cream when opening the fridge. It went everywhere: the wrap, the kitchen floor, trousers, slippers, inside the fridge, ... I nearly cried. I did exactly as D advised and it all came off. I was anxious for about 24 hours as it took so long for the wrap to dry but all is well and it looks like new. I spent thwe rest of Boxing Day cleaning the kitchen and washing floors....
Rinse, rinse, rinse again in fairly coolish water, no sudden change in temperature of water for wool or silk.

 

[Scarf Addict]

^^I agree - use the water as cold as you can take it or put rubber gloves on to wash the scarf - I have used liquid soaps for woollens and delicates like Stergene or Woolite with no problems. Like Doreenjoy if there are stains I dab a bit of the liquid soap neat onto to the stain and let is stand for a few minutes to soak in before I wash the scarf. 70cm vintage silks are great and much more stable than 90cms for washing in my experience.
Fleursetcalines - thanks for the plisse advice!!