Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves
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Yay, for you too! So happy it came out beautiful! Fingers crossed for you
for the last step of ironing!
I washed my first Hermes scarf yesterday. It was an ebay vintage purchase I had just received that was not quite "fresh". In fact, it stunk to high heaven. I was not as nervous as I would be otherwise, since I have washed some other, less expensive, vintage silk scarves and they finished out brilliantly. But, yes, my jaw was still quite tight as I moved through the steps!
My process: Warm water wash, followed by immediate dunking in cold water rinses, followed immediately by laying the scarf flat on a large thick towel and rolling it up. I ironed the back side of the scarf whilst it was still damp, moving the iron plate up to the edge of the rolled hem. I rotated the scarf as I ironed to assure that it didn't "pull" in one direction or the other.
Since the hems were still damp, I did the first three folds and hung it from a pants hanger to finish drying. And I was thrilled with the result! No color loss, lovely plumped up hems, and a complete removal of all odors.
But I will say this, that first dunk in the warm water wash is going to scare the bejeesus out of you! The wash water is going to turn a murky, ugly color. Just remember to keep it moving. The scarf I was washing was "Ramses" in a red color way with a lot of white background. I had absolutely no color transfer from the red to the white, which is what I most feared.
So, yes, it can be done. Just have the two sinks ready and filled with the correct temperature of water, and have the towel prepared as you pull the scarf through its last rinse. (I made sure to lift from two corners with no parts touching any other parts to avoid last minute dye transfer.) The hardest part? Screwing up your courage!
My process: Warm water wash, followed by immediate dunking in cold water rinses, followed immediately by laying the scarf flat on a large thick towel and rolling it up. I ironed the back side of the scarf whilst it was still damp, moving the iron plate up to the edge of the rolled hem. I rotated the scarf as I ironed to assure that it didn't "pull" in one direction or the other.
Since the hems were still damp, I did the first three folds and hung it from a pants hanger to finish drying. And I was thrilled with the result! No color loss, lovely plumped up hems, and a complete removal of all odors.
But I will say this, that first dunk in the warm water wash is going to scare the bejeesus out of you! The wash water is going to turn a murky, ugly color. Just remember to keep it moving. The scarf I was washing was "Ramses" in a red color way with a lot of white background. I had absolutely no color transfer from the red to the white, which is what I most feared.
So, yes, it can be done. Just have the two sinks ready and filled with the correct temperature of water, and have the towel prepared as you pull the scarf through its last rinse. (I made sure to lift from two corners with no parts touching any other parts to avoid last minute dye transfer.) The hardest part? Screwing up your courage!
let us know how it's going! For ironing, I put a towel on the scarf so the iron wasn't in direct contact, then at the end I removed the towel and just steamed the scarf.
Thanks pamella and maryg. First experience with washing H scarf can be nerve wrecking. Definitely not for the faint hearted. My heart and Quand Sudain in etoupe survived the washed.
Ironing worked out well with piece of cloth over the top. There were two things I noticed afterwards.
This a 70 cm vintage scarf felt more stiff after the wash. I used ecover detergent delicate wool and silk. My cashmere jumpers usually come out pretty soft. Not sure why my scarf turned out more stiff. I rinsed many times. I wonder if it has to do with hard water we get where I live.
One of the whiter bits where the clouds are looked like it has a hint of brown/etoupe. Perhaps there was colour transfer but not very noticeable.
Overall, I am still happy with result. My scarf is cleaned. It saved me the hassle of taking back to H for drycleaning or explaining to my drycleaner not to flatten the hems.
Ironing worked out well with piece of cloth over the top. There were two things I noticed afterwards.
This a 70 cm vintage scarf felt more stiff after the wash. I used ecover detergent delicate wool and silk. My cashmere jumpers usually come out pretty soft. Not sure why my scarf turned out more stiff. I rinsed many times. I wonder if it has to do with hard water we get where I live.
One of the whiter bits where the clouds are looked like it has a hint of brown/etoupe. Perhaps there was colour transfer but not very noticeable.
Overall, I am still happy with result. My scarf is cleaned. It saved me the hassle of taking back to H for drycleaning or explaining to my drycleaner not to flatten the hems.
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Pamella: thank you! and thanks for the reminder about the colour catcher - I would have forgotten it!! Strangely (luckily) and probably because of the light pink c/w I didn't get any colour transfer at all. Probably a different story when I try washing my black l'arbres! 
Astrologie, Maryg1: very jealous of your ironing skills! Myself & irons do not get on AT ALL! There is always unexpected burning, dripping, shoots of steam & water
ColoursnSilk: thank you! don't know if a splash of vinegar in the first rinse might help with the stiffness? I believe it strips out any remaining detergent... just a thought
Can't wait to try my next wash next weekend - great Sunday afternoon therapy!
Astrologie, Maryg1: very jealous of your ironing skills! Myself & irons do not get on AT ALL! There is always unexpected burning, dripping, shoots of steam & water
ColoursnSilk: thank you! don't know if a splash of vinegar in the first rinse might help with the stiffness? I believe it strips out any remaining detergent... just a thought
Can't wait to try my next wash next weekend - great Sunday afternoon therapy!
Sydneymum Will try vinegar with rinse next time. I'm hopeless with ironing too. But i used a cloth between the iron and scarf when it was still slightly damp. Also switched the steam function off to avoid potential dripping and squirts of dirt.
Thanks ColoursnSilk - I can use all the ironing tips I can get! 
Might try that next time if I'm feeling brave 
Might try that next time if I'm feeling brave 
I had ironing problems for years...that is until my cheapest friend told me she used a $99 Rowenta iron. If my tight friend thought it was worth $99, I was sold!
I went to Target ane bought a Rowenta iron. That was 8 hrs ago and I love this iron so much, I even take it with me when I go to the Vineyard for a month! It never spits or stains - it's amazing.
I have not yet laundered any of my Hermes scarves, but when I do, I will be ironing it safely with my Rowenta iron!
I went to Target ane bought a Rowenta iron. That was 8 hrs ago and I love this iron so much, I even take it with me when I go to the Vineyard for a month! It never spits or stains - it's amazing.
I have not yet laundered any of my Hermes scarves, but when I do, I will be ironing it safely with my Rowenta iron!
M
mmarliem
I don't recommend wiping/washing with water or other products especially on silks. It can leave water marks and turn into a different color. My cleaners always tell me to leave it the way it was and don't try to clean it off because it can penetrate or worst ruin the fabric. I always go to dry cleaners for my silks and it always come back like new.
I am washing my silk scarves and any satin silk blouses at home. It has been working perfectly for years.
Ironing
I have purchased lately Iron steam station from Siemens. I have to say it is the buy of the year!
I do not understand why I should not buy one earlier. I am just thrilled. Ironing the scarves has never been easier.
Ironing
I have purchased lately Iron steam station from Siemens. I have to say it is the buy of the year!
I do not understand why I should not buy one earlier. I am just thrilled. Ironing the scarves has never been easier.