Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves

[Scarf Addict]

Pussywillow I would iron the scarf now while it is still damp, avoiding the hems of course! I am sure once ironed it will look restored.

xParisCallingx - I have used Vanish soap bar on stains with some success in the past that seems to be fairly gentle - I wet the stain rub some soap onto and into the stain gently with my fingers and let it soak for a minute or two then rinse it out gently. I find face wash gel works well for makeup stains, it MAY work for tea - no idea - all I can say is give it a try? Just do not iron over the stain if you are still trying to get it out as that will "set" the stain I think and make it harder/impossible to remove it in future. Moral of the story is though to rinse out as soon as you can after the stain occurs - the longer a stain sits on the scarf the harder it is to remove.

 

[pussywillow]

Pussywillow I would iron the scarf now while it is still damp, avoiding the hems of course! I am sure once ironed it will look restored.

xParisCallingx - I have used Vanish soap bar on stains with some success in the past that seems to be fairly gentle - I wet the stain rub some soap onto and into the stain gently with my fingers and let it soak for a minute or two then rinse it out gently. I find face wash gel works well for makeup stains, it MAY work for tea - no idea - all I can say is give it a try? Just do not iron over the stain if you are still trying to get it out as that will "set" the stain I think and make it harder/impossible to remove it in future. Moral of the story is though to rinse out as soon as you can after the stain occurs - the longer a stain sits on the scarf the harder it is to remove.

ScarfAddict
Thanks for your advice

Don't they dry quick!! Within the hour - on a rack above the Aga whilst I breakfasted. I whisked out the iron for a steam press of the reverse side (not exactly pressing, more skimming the silk!) and voila: I had it on before 10am.

Ironing gives you an opportunity to really examine the silk and I discovered a tiny tear in the corner which the seller had indicated but I hadn't spotted before. Can I just leave this or will it grow?

Thank you everyone who has posted here and emboldened me, I am so grateful and my Ali Baba now has a neutral fragrance and has lost none of its lustre: Hermes scarf drying equipment featured in the background!

 

[Scarf Addict]

Well done Pussywillow! Your scarf looks lovely

I do not know what to recommend regarding the tear - maybe leave it alone is best, the only thing I can think of would be to iron a tiny piece of very thin vylene/wonder web stuff to the back of it to hold it and stop it running further (you can get it in black/grey so that may be less obvious?)- If I were you I would start by asking a Hermes boutique what they recommend. It would only cost a phone call.

 

[SpecialK12]

double post. sorry

 

[SpecialK12]

SpecialK, would you be so kind as to elaborate further? I have an Aga and fold up all my cotton washing when almost dry and leave the pile overnight on the simmering plate lid. Surely you wouldn't put the silk directly on the metal lid of the simmering plate? Do you sandwich it between other fabrics? How damp is the scarf when you put it to dry?

I am more than intrigued to know what you do as a complete novice! I have just had my inaugural wash, heart in my mouth, of an Ali Baba I bought off eBay which smells quite musty. I have worn it once, trying to ignore the odour, but have done the deed this morning having read the whole scarf cleaning thread again. As I post this, it is on the drying rack damp after being rolled between two towels - looking a little sorry for itself.

sorry I didn't see this sooner. I hang the scarf over the front bar of the Aga first (on the towel I had it rolled in) - for 15-20 minutes. Then fold and place on a clean dishcloth on the warming plate (I have a 4-oven) or on a clean dishcloth on the simmering plate lid. I have left the scarf on the warming plate or lid for hours and never had a problem. I'd probably let it hang on the bar the whole way but my cats get interested so I don't.

By the way, I rarely iron, since folding it while ever so slightly damp and placing on the Aga on a dishtowel has the same effect. I just turn it a couple of times and i don't ever risk flattening my hems!

 

[oonagh113]

Vintage Leather, I am very bullish about washing scarves, but with a plisse, I wouldnt try it. Take it to Hermes. Warning: it may cost you US$60 or so, because they may send it to Paris to be cleaned and re-pleated, but it will come back perfect.

 

[pussywillow]

Well done Pussywillow! Your scarf looks lovely

I do not know what to recommend regarding the tear - maybe leave it alone is best, the only thing I can think of would be to iron a tiny piece of very thin vylene/wonder web stuff to the back of it to hold it and stop it running further (you can get it in black/grey so that may be less obvious?)- If I were you I would start by asking a Hermes boutique what they recommend. It would only cost a phone call.

scarfaddict

Your encouragement and wisdom is appreciated!

I've been folding the scarf so that the damaged corner lies within the diagonal in the hope that this is the best way of preserving it.

Good point about coloured wonderweb - it's a looong time since I've been a user! I used to stick it on the hem of my grey pleated school skirt to whittle away a few centimetres so it didn't look quite so Victorian.

 

[pussywillow]

sorry I didn't see this sooner. I hang the scarf over the front bar of the Aga first (on the towel I had it rolled in) - for 15-20 minutes. Then fold and place on a clean dishcloth on the warming plate (I have a 4-oven) or on a clean dishcloth on the simmering plate lid. I have left the scarf on the warming plate or lid for hours and never had a problem. I'd probably let it hang on the bar the whole way but my cats get interested so I don't.

By the way, I rarely iron, since folding it while ever so slightly damp and placing on the Aga on a dishtowel has the same effect. I just turn it a couple of times and i don't ever risk flattening my hems!

SpecialK12

Thank you SO much for this information - I also have the four door model inherited with our current house - so everything you've briefed me upon I can take on board. As you say, I've become accustomed to the practice of reducing my presence at the ironing board with the gentle heat of the simmering plate lid/warming plate above the simmering oven.

I'll try the method with a stiff second hand Cliquetis i've just bought - we'll see if it can re-inflate some flattened hems along the way. Gratitude to you!

 

[Scarf Addict]

Pussywillow - you are welcome

 

[CowPrincess]

Poor little H scarf -- all beaten up, stained and smelly :cry: Absolutely flat hems. What could be done? Especially for those totally gross marks that looked like a mix of makeup and dried blood.... here's some before and after, I hope you can see the difference. I dampened each of the stains, held the stained area over the mound part of my palm (by my thumb) of my left hand, wetted the stain, then took clear dishwashing soap and rubbed the soap into the wet/stained part. Then washed and ironed as previously discussed. Voila! I hope this will give some posters and lurkers the courage to try their own "hopeless" project

before:

After:

Another "before" pic -- I'll have to post the "after" tomorrow -- I didn't actually take the after pic, that I can tell

I am astonished at how well this worked, and the hems have plumped up quite nicely too. Previously they were FLAT.

 

[MaggyH]

I have sent two of my scarves to drycleaners, and after reading some posts here, I am terrified they will come back all ruined, with flat hems, etc! Keep your fingers crossed for me please!

 

[Bienchen]

I have searched for information re cleaning dip dyes but have not found much. Has anyone attempted a handwash or this a dry clean job like plisses?

 

[texashermes]

The Hermes store in Dallas sends my scarves, shawls and my husbands ties to a company in NYC. They have never failed to get out any stain. Very nominal cost. Call them as I do not remember the name.

 

[AnnaE]

I have sent two of my scarves to drycleaners, and after reading some posts here, I am terrified they will come back all ruined, with flat hems, etc! Keep your fingers crossed for me please!

*fingers crossed for you*

In my experience, flat hems are fairly easy to fix: just run the scarf under cold water, it usually plumps them up nicely. You can also try using a steam setting on your iron, but not too hot.

Short of flat hems, dry cleaners would generally not 'ruin' any scarves, no worries.

 

[alundpr]

While in NYC last month, my favorite Dip Dye scarf got stained with oatmeal. Hopped to Hermes Madison and they recommended Madame Paulette Dry Cleaner (they have a website). My Saks personal shopper also recommended Madame Paulette as they send all haute couture gowns there. I called them and they offered to send someone to pick it up at my hotel. To make a long story short, I got my scarf a couple of days ago and it is perfect. Just as if it were new. Madame Paulette's number is (212) 838-6827.