That's it, I am going out tomorrow and buying a new iron JUST for my H scarves! Why didn't this occur to me before? Considering how much I have spent to buy them, I think they deserve a good iron of their very own. Thanks India and Suzi for the suggestions!
Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves
- Thread starter dianagrace
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
A lot of that gunk is from old dry cleaning chemicals...one of the reasons I never dry clean my scarves.
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.
You better tell me all about it tomorrow. With fall just around the corner I really need to find an easy and safe way to get the wrinkles out of my scarves!
One piece of advice about any iron: DO NOT USE SPRAY STARCH/SIZING. This stuff builds up on the bottom of your iron and it will eventually scorch and will leave scorch marks on other damp things you iron.
Many, many years ago, a lovely lady on Alter Guild taught me how to iron linen and cotton without using spray starch or sizing: iron it wet. When I wash linen or even cotton pillow cases, I take them directly from the washing machine, put them in a plastic bag, and put them in the freezer. They can then stay there indefinitely (I just finished ironing my Thanksgiving napkins earlier this week!). Take them out and allow them to thaw in the bag (you don't want them to dry out), and then iron them on the hottest setting on your iron if they are either linen or 100% cotton (no synthetics). Do not use the steam function until the very last go-over. They will iron up silky smooth and nice and crisp and you will not scorch them, nor will you build up nasty stuff on the bottom of your iron. The fibers are totally relaxed when wet and begin to draw up (wrinkle) as they dry. If ironed while wet, you keep those fibers straight instead of trying to straighten them (never very satisfactory). You will be amazed at the results!
If your good iron has some nasty stuff on it, buy iron cleaner and use it as directed to once again have a nice, clean iron. You don't ever want to touch a beautiful Hermes silk scarf with an iron with gunk on the bottom - it will instantly transfer to that lovely scarf!!!
Many, many years ago, a lovely lady on Alter Guild taught me how to iron linen and cotton without using spray starch or sizing: iron it wet. When I wash linen or even cotton pillow cases, I take them directly from the washing machine, put them in a plastic bag, and put them in the freezer. They can then stay there indefinitely (I just finished ironing my Thanksgiving napkins earlier this week!). Take them out and allow them to thaw in the bag (you don't want them to dry out), and then iron them on the hottest setting on your iron if they are either linen or 100% cotton (no synthetics). Do not use the steam function until the very last go-over. They will iron up silky smooth and nice and crisp and you will not scorch them, nor will you build up nasty stuff on the bottom of your iron. The fibers are totally relaxed when wet and begin to draw up (wrinkle) as they dry. If ironed while wet, you keep those fibers straight instead of trying to straighten them (never very satisfactory). You will be amazed at the results!
If your good iron has some nasty stuff on it, buy iron cleaner and use it as directed to once again have a nice, clean iron. You don't ever want to touch a beautiful Hermes silk scarf with an iron with gunk on the bottom - it will instantly transfer to that lovely scarf!!!
Bumping this old, but extremely helpful thread because I need some advice.
I have seen a stain on my Purple Dip Dye 90 carre - due to the nature of the dip dye, do you suggest that I hand wash this or get it dry cleaned?
I don't mind saying that I'm absolutely terrified of washing it at all - I love this scarf and, even if I could find another one, I can't afford to buy a new one if it gets ruined!
I have seen a stain on my Purple Dip Dye 90 carre - due to the nature of the dip dye, do you suggest that I hand wash this or get it dry cleaned?
I don't mind saying that I'm absolutely terrified of washing it at all - I love this scarf and, even if I could find another one, I can't afford to buy a new one if it gets ruined!
Good Luck with your decision Ali-bagpuss! I hope all goes well!
This thread is extremely helpful! In the past few weeks I have bought a Rowenta Iron, ironing board, an over the door hanging system for the iron and board and shout color catchers. So about $200 in supplies and I am still frozen with fear about washing my scarves! :shame: I want to but I can barely iron a shirt! I, like the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz need to work on my courage!
This thread is extremely helpful! In the past few weeks I have bought a Rowenta Iron, ironing board, an over the door hanging system for the iron and board and shout color catchers. So about $200 in supplies and I am still frozen with fear about washing my scarves! :shame: I want to but I can barely iron a shirt! I, like the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz need to work on my courage!
What a surprise! I've been using Rowenta iron for a few years by now, too. I use it for everything that needs to be pressed. It does an amazing job. And quick! I could not believe a good iron makes such a difference. I used to loath pressing, but not anymore. Now, Rowenta is kept ready in my closet for daily use. 
Laney2 dear, how about just pressing small non-H items first... like handkerchief, fabric luncheon mats, or kitchen linens? You'll soon find the fear was just an imagination... like the lion did.
Laney2 dear, how about just pressing small non-H items first... like handkerchief, fabric luncheon mats, or kitchen linens? You'll soon find the fear was just an imagination... like the lion did.
Well - I decided that as so many of you can manage to (and prefer to) hand wash your scarves I would give it a try so I bought some Colour Catch sheets and some Silk Detergent and got to work.
I was scared stiff of ruining my scarf some how but everything went really well and not much colour came out at all.
It is now washed, dried and ironed - the stain is gone and the scarf is as silky as it was before I started (another worry was that it was going to go stiff or something). I'm really pleased but I'll still be scared the next time I wash one.
The information and help on this forum is fantastic and I wouldn't have dared to do it without the help on this thread.
I was scared stiff of ruining my scarf some how but everything went really well and not much colour came out at all.
It is now washed, dried and ironed - the stain is gone and the scarf is as silky as it was before I started (another worry was that it was going to go stiff or something). I'm really pleased but I'll still be scared the next time I wash one.
The information and help on this forum is fantastic and I wouldn't have dared to do it without the help on this thread.
What a surprise! I've been using Rowenta iron for a few years by now, too. I use it for everything that needs to be pressed. It does an amazing job. And quick! I could not believe a good iron makes such a difference. I used to loath pressing, but not anymore. Now, Rowenta is kept ready in my closet for daily use.
Laney2 dear, how about just pressing small non-H items first... like handkerchief, fabric luncheon mats, or kitchen linens? You'll soon find the fear was just an imagination... like the lion did.
Thank you Mezzopiano!!
Great suggestions for practice ironing! Although I did read "luncheon mats" as luncheon meats! I thought that can't be good for the iron! 
Ali-bagpuss wonderful news that your adventures in scarf washing went so well!
Reading your post I realized I haven't decided on what detergent/silk wash to use.
Is there a specific model you would recommend? The price range of the Rowenta brand is quite big.
Laney2 - here in the UK I use Stergene or Woolite, I believe Woolite is available in the USA - usually something designed to be used for hand wash wools/silks/delicates does the job - some ladies use baby shampoo.
Ali-bagpuss - well done - the nerves get better the more you do it - and 70cms are a breeze I never had any colour run yet - they seem much more colour stable than any others!
Ali-bagpuss - well done - the nerves get better the more you do it - and 70cms are a breeze I never had any colour run yet - they seem much more colour stable than any others!