Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves

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:smile1:I recently got out some pretty old stains from my Hermes scarf washing in warm water and baby shampoo. The dusty bits where the scarf was folded I spot cleaned with a soft toothbrush until tthey were out and rinsed adding some vinegar to the last rinse. Everything came out beautifully:yahoo:
 
:idea::idea:Re washing scarves. I think dry cleaners help to preserve the stiffness of the silk. After I washed my vintage Hermes scarves and when the silk is very soft I make up some starch (don't want to use the ready made:nogood: chemical one) and add it to the final rinse. It returns the crispness to the silk and can be madee to be more or less stiff.
 
I have searched but not found a solution to this issue - resale scarves that have a scent. Is there any way to get rid of the scent without washing? I am loathe to wash a scarf just to try to get rid of the perfume of a previous owner.

I sprayed the inner lid of one scarf box with my own perfume to try to cover the other scent, and now my scarf smells like both perfumes. I rarely wear any scent at all or use scented products, so when I wear the two resale scarves I've bought, I am scent-conscious all day.

The obvious answer going forward is to only purchase from the boutique, but then I would never be able to buy any lovely retired designs. I am hoping there is an easy solution.
 
You might try putting the scarf on a paper towel in a pan of baking soda and sealing it all in a plastic bag for a day or so. Baking soda will often remove scents. Also, putting it on a white cloth in a window that gets sunlight all day, might help - the sun is a natural deodorizer.

Is there any reason you are so averse to washing?
 
You might try putting the scarf on a paper towel in a pan of baking soda and sealing it all in a plastic bag for a day or so. Baking soda will often remove scents. Also, putting it on a white cloth in a window that gets sunlight all day, might help - the sun is a natural deodorizer.

Is there any reason you are so averse to washing?

Thank you for these suggestions, I will try them. I had not thought about baking soda for a scarf, and had never heard before about the sun acting as a deodorizer.

As for not washing...I am a domestic incompetent if ever there was one. I can screw up the most foolproof recipes, laundry instructions, anything. I hate to think of what will happen to any Hermes scarf I someday need to clean.
 
Second India's suggestions.

I use this product also
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10175&cat=2,42194,40727,10175

Don't know where you are, there is a US website also.

This product lasts for years until the rocks breakdown into powder. The plastic mesh is quite rough so I decant the rocks into small mesh laundry bags to use with delicate fabrics.

Also on nice cold sunny windless days I lay smelly scarves out in the snow. A great trick from an old rug dealer.



I have searched but not found a solution to this issue - resale scarves that have a scent. Is there any way to get rid of the scent without washing? I am loathe to wash a scarf just to try to get rid of the perfume of a previous owner.

I sprayed the inner lid of one scarf box with my own perfume to try to cover the other scent, and now my scarf smells like both perfumes. I rarely wear any scent at all or use scented products, so when I wear the two resale scarves I've bought, I am scent-conscious all day.

The obvious answer going forward is to only purchase from the boutique, but then I would never be able to buy any lovely retired designs. I am hoping there is an easy solution.
 
I have searched but not found a solution to this issue - resale scarves that have a scent. Is there any way to get rid of the scent without washing? I am loathe to wash a scarf just to try to get rid of the perfume of a previous owner.

I sprayed the inner lid of one scarf box with my own perfume to try to cover the other scent, and now my scarf smells like both perfumes. I rarely wear any scent at all or use scented products, so when I wear the two resale scarves I've bought, I am scent-conscious all day.

The obvious answer going forward is to only purchase from the boutique, but then I would never be able to buy any lovely retired designs. I am hoping there is an easy solution.
I once bought a scarf from eBay that came from a smoking home (seller did not mention this). It smelled TERRIBLE. I took it to a dry cleaner recommended by Hermes in my local area and it came back without any smell. I was thrilled.
 
Yes India you are right! Grew up in Ireland and there were lots of Bleach Greens. Little boys were employed to sprinkle the natural beige coloured linen with water & chase the birds with wooden rattles. The linen gradually changed to snowy white.

It is partly the chlorophyll in the grass that removes odours. I do this in the summer on low pollution days. Just have to watch out for landscapers, stray animals and pests and of course strong wind. I had to rescue Cantonniers & Cavaliers from a tall tree nerve wracking!

We have had the occasional minor snowstorm already so we are in winter mode here. Summer & sun are a just a memory.


Linen experts swear by putting washed linens on the grass on the sunlight to make them sparkling white.
 
You ladies are an amazing source of knowledge! I have neither snow nor grass available to me, so I'm opting for the sunshine/cool temperatures method for starters. Right now Hola Flamenca and Belles du Mexique are enjoying a sunbath (also the boxes and tissues they came in). If this doesn't work maybe I'll try the baking soda idea or just go ahead and hand wash or dry clean them. I'll post if/when I've found the winning method.
 
hi there,
i know this is an old thread, but i`m desperately seeking advice on washing cashmere/silk gm`s! is there anyone who actually dared to wash her beauties in the washing maschine? with a delicate silk/wool program of course?
my maschine has a great wool program, which can be done in cold water or 30°C,
and i`m washing all my cashmere sweaters with it. but for my gm`s i`m not sure,
if they`ll survive...but like many others in this thread i don`t like the dry cleaning smell, so i`d love to handwash them. until now i have been avoiding the cleaning
completely, but now some of my gm`s urgently need a clean, so i`d be more than thankful for any shared expierence on this.
thx in advance!!!
I hand wash my C/S shawls in cold water and very diluted Laundress Cashmere shampoo.
Since these shawls are woven (not knit) one must be very careful in the washing: gentle movement, no agitation, no wringing or squeezing, and only a very short time submerged on the water, 3-5 minutes.
Gently move the shawl through the water and use a Shout color catcher if the shawl has colors that are prone to bleed

Rinsing well is key, rinse by submerging in water, do not run the faucet over the shawl. Rinse multiple times then gently roll in a towel. Lay flat to dry in an area of low heat, do not dry near a source of heat as this will cause shrinkage.

The Cashmere and Camel Hair Institute only recommends washing for knits. The suggest dry cleaning for woven cashmere. Even so, many here hand wash c/s shawls.

http://www.cashmere.org/cm/garment.php

Since most Dry cleaners are hard on items and the hems need care, I made the decision to hand wash mine.

I would not recommend using a machine. If one is going to wash, hand washing is the safest bet.
If you choose to dry clean, make sure you speak with someone in charge and explain that the hems should not be ironed. Dry cleaners tend to iron every inch and ironing will ruin the rolled hems
 
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