Scarves Cleaning and Caring for Hermès Scarves

[AnnaE]

Thank you, AnnaE for your clarifying and kind reply! I live in Norway, and don’t think people do a lot of starching here either anymore, apart from the linen shirts for our national costumes Amazon is a valuable tip, I use it extensively for books, both the UK and US site, preferably the UK due to faster mail. To be continued

Happy to be of help — I think starching is our of fashion worldwide these days I like some things properly starched (husband’s dress shirts and dinner linens), but I just outsource it.

I hope you can find something on Amazon! I would offer to ship it to you, but I think shipping aerosol cans as a person and not a commercial entity is frown upon.

 

[Julide]

I am looking at getting a vintage scarf, I read that anything before 1985 may have an issue with the dyes running? Can anyone with a vintage scarf tell me what I need to be aware of when washing vintage scarves? Does it matter colour of the scarf? Are there certain colors which are more prone to bleed? Any advice would be welcomed!

 

[ksuromax]

I am looking at getting a vintage scarf, I read that anything before 1985 may have an issue with the dyes running? Can anyone with a vintage scarf tell me what I need to be aware of when washing vintage scarves? Does it matter colour of the scarf? Are there certain colors which are more prone to bleed? Any advice would be welcomed!

i have La Flore from 1967, and L'Ocean from 195X, and some others from 1980-1999 era, washed them ALL with no issues, just make sure you use cold water and do it quickly, don't let them sit in the water too long.
i had only one case of bleeding with CSPM Flora Gaeca in dark red, it bleeded a bit (water was very noticeably pink) but this didn't affect the shawl AT ALL, it's the same vibrant as before and no colour ran from red onto other colours (green leaves, parme flowers, etc)

 

[Cookiefiend]

i have La Flore from 1967, and L'Ocean from 195X, and some others from 1980-1999 era, washed them ALL with no issues, just make sure you use cold water and do it quickly, don't let them sit in the water too long.
i had only one case of bleeding with CSPM Flora Gaeca in dark red, it bleeded a bit (water was very noticeably pink) but this didn't affect the shawl AT ALL, it's the same vibrant as before and no colour ran from red onto other colours (green leaves, parme flowers, etc)

+1
I also use a Shout Color Catcher sheet in the water.
I've had the same experience ksuromax had - the water turned pink but the scarf was fine. I did snatch it right out to rinse under running water and very quickly spread it out on the towel though.

 

[Julide]

i have La Flore from 1967, and L'Ocean from 195X, and some others from 1980-1999 era, washed them ALL with no issues, just make sure you use cold water and do it quickly, don't let them sit in the water too long.
i had only one case of bleeding with CSPM Flora Gaeca in dark red, it bleeded a bit (water was very noticeably pink) but this didn't affect the shawl AT ALL, it's the same vibrant as before and no colour ran from red onto other colours (green leaves, parme flowers, etc)

Thank you! I see so many vintage scarves that will need some refreshing and have avoided purchasing them because of my fear of ruining them

+1
I also use a Shout Color Catcher sheet in the water.
I've had the same experience ksuromax had - the water turned pink but the scarf was fine. I did snatch it right out to rinse under running water and very quickly spread it out on the towel though.

Thank you Cookie!! It is a relief to hear that washing vintage scarves is not as bad as I thought!

 

[Cookiefiend]

Thank you! I see so many vintage scarves that will need some refreshing and have avoided purchasing them because of my fear of ruining them



Thank you Cookie!! It is a relief to hear that washing vintage scarves is not as bad as I thought!

It is a bit nerve-wracking the first few times, but I wash all of mine - carefully. Just use a mild soap - I use The Laundress's Unscented Delicate Wash - and very cold water. Quick, quick and swish, swish, don't wring it but I kind of pat it so the water comes out and then rinse the same way.
I do however, use Dawn dish soap on greasy spots - like Hello Stupid Salad Dressing That Ended Up On My Cle des Champs. I get the spot damp, rub in a bit of Dawn, rinse it out and then wash like usual.
And Cle des Champs is from 1965.

(as always though - YMMV - so try it first on a scarf you're not head-over-heels in love with to get the feel of it and to get the 'HOLYSHIZNITS what have I done!!' feeling over with!)

 

[dooneybaby]

I will never wash H scarves again after doing damage to my purple Tendresse Feline and Grand Tenue. I even used The Laundress delicate wash. Thank goodness I found an amazing organic dry cleaner who knows not to flatten the rolled edges and charges less than $5 USD a piece to dry clean.

 

[papertiger]

I will never wash H scarves again after doing damage to my purple Tendresse Feline and Grand Tenue. I even used The Laundress delicate wash. Thank goodness I found an amazing organic dry cleaner who knows not to flatten the rolled edges and charges less than $5 USD a piece to dry clean.

I'm sorry to hear about those scarves.

That's amazing about your DC. Please tell her to start an international chain and start with the UK as moussies certainly don't enjoy water

 

[papertiger]

I am looking at getting a vintage scarf, I read that anything before 1985 may have an issue with the dyes running? Can anyone with a vintage scarf tell me what I need to be aware of when washing vintage scarves? Does it matter colour of the scarf? Are there certain colors which are more prone to bleed? Any advice would be welcomed!

You do have to be extra careful. I think red, purple and black tend to be the least stable, hence fast. I have a 1967 with dark red and it's obviously been washed incorrectly from the blurred edges. Of course so many of the backgrounds were white in those days too. Ladies used to be worried just going out in the rain. Most vintage scarves have had the life sucked out of them already so it's OK to wash but if you meet a pristine example you are right to be cautious.

The only 2 silk twills I won't (hand) wash are my mint condition, orange red and brown bordered Napoleons, in case I meet my Waterloo!

 

[Cookiefiend]

I will never wash H scarves again after doing damage to my purple Tendresse Feline and Grand Tenue. I even used The Laundress delicate wash. Thank goodness I found an amazing organic dry cleaner who knows not to flatten the rolled edges and charges less than $5 USD a piece to dry clean.

Oh dear - that’s awful!
You’re so lucky to have found a dry cleaner you can trust!

 

[Julide]

It is a bit nerve-wracking the first few times, but I wash all of mine - carefully. Just use a mild soap - I use The Laundress's Unscented Delicate Wash - and very cold water. Quick, quick and swish, swish, don't wring it but I kind of pat it so the water comes out and then rinse the same way.
I do however, use Dawn dish soap on greasy spots - like Hello Stupid Salad Dressing That Ended Up On My Cle des Champs. I get the spot damp, rub in a bit of Dawn, rinse it out and then wash like usual.
And Cle des Champs is from 1965.

(as always though - YMMV - so try it first on a scarf you're not head-over-heels in love with to get the feel of it and to get the 'HOLYSHIZNITS what have I done!!' feeling over with!)

Cookie, I think you have a brilliant idea. I think I will head to my local charity shop and pick up a couple “testers”! I think I need experience. Thank you!

You do have to be extra careful. I think red, purple and black tend to be the least stable, hence fast. I have a 1967 with dark red and it's obviously been washed incorrectly from the blurred edges. Of course so many of the backgrounds were white in those days too. Ladies used to be worried just going out in the rain. Most vintage scarves have had the life sucked out of them already so it's OK to wash but if you meet a pristine example you are right to be cautious.

The only 2 silk twills I won't (hand) wash are my mint condition, orange red and brown bordered Napoleons, in case I meet my Waterloo!

Thank you papertiger! Glad to know what I am in for. I would love to run into a pristine scarf! Then no worries!

Again thank you all! I feel much more confident! Off to try all this information!!

 

[AngelFood]

Just wanted to share.my one recent mishap as I have successfully washed many scares. I have even boiled a scarf, that had come back from the Hermesmatic in an awful shade,on the stove in boiling peroxide. I believed that the scarves were mostly indestructible. Last week I got a couple of grease spots on my pale blue Robe Du Soie from my fingers after eating some buttered toast.I tried spot cleaning gently first. When that didn’t budge the spots, I used some Laundress bar soap and rubbed the spots more aggressively. I did end up getting rid of the grease stains but also lightened some areas of the navy section of the scarf. So going forward I will definitely be more careful when working on stubborn spots. On another note, has anyone tried to use some sort of sizing to restore any of their washed scarves to a more fresh from boutique state? I know some of us prefer the soft drape but I love the crisp brand new feel. I apologize if this has been discussed and I have missed it.

 

[bunnycat]

Just wanted to share.my one recent mishap as I have successfully washed many scares. I have even boiled a scarf, that had come back from the Hermesmatic in an awful shade,on the stove in boiling peroxide. I believed that the scarves were mostly indestructible. Last week I got a couple of grease spots on my pale blue Robe Du Soie from my fingers after eating some buttered toast.I tried spot cleaning gently first. When that didn’t budge the spots, I used some Laundress bar soap and rubbed the spots more aggressively. I did end up getting rid of the grease stains but also lightened some areas of the navy section of the scarf. So going forward I will definitely be more careful when working on stubborn spots. On another note, has anyone tried to use some sort of sizing to restore any of their washed scarves to a more fresh from boutique state? I know some of us prefer the soft drape but I love the crisp brand new feel. I apologize if this has been discussed and I have missed it.

If you back up a page or so, I think AnnaE uses some sizing on her scarves and explains the difference between that and starch. I'm on the fence. There are times I like my scarf with the slightly stiffer new feel and time I like it puddly....so I just leave them be.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Just wanted to share.my one recent mishap as I have successfully washed many scares. I have even boiled a scarf, that had come back from the Hermesmatic in an awful shade,on the stove in boiling peroxide. I believed that the scarves were mostly indestructible. Last week I got a couple of grease spots on my pale blue Robe Du Soie from my fingers after eating some buttered toast.I tried spot cleaning gently first. When that didn’t budge the spots, I used some Laundress bar soap and rubbed the spots more aggressively. I did end up getting rid of the grease stains but also lightened some areas of the navy section of the scarf. So going forward I will definitely be more careful when working on stubborn spots. On another note, has anyone tried to use some sort of sizing to restore any of their washed scarves to a more fresh from boutique state? I know some of us prefer the soft drape but I love the crisp brand new feel. I apologize if this has been discussed and I have missed it.

I've lightly starched a couple of mine - I lightly sprayed the back of the scarf, and then ironed.
I have to confess that I do feel like they're mostly indestructible too… but I have made a mistake (or two) on mine.
But I am the only person I trust to wash my scarves and I do it all the time.

 

[ElainePG]

I will never wash H scarves again after doing damage to my purple Tendresse Feline and Grand Tenue. I even used The Laundress delicate wash. Thank goodness I found an amazing organic dry cleaner who knows not to flatten the rolled edges and charges less than $5 USD a piece to dry clean.

I didn't even hit "Like" on your post, since this is such a sad story! Oh, what a shame.

I am glad, though, that your dry cleaner was able to solve the problem. $5??? That is amazing!