Hermes Cafe Bon Temps~Good Times Cafe

[Genie27]

That's funny - today I washed all my backpacks, travel bags and water sandals. River and lake water made them all smell a bit funky. Next up for the wash were crocheted blankets being mailed out to nephew/neice, and finally down wash for my sleeping bag.

 

[Hermes24Fbg]

This is a joke, right? People don't actually get together and launder their HS, do they? Who gets dibs on the sinks and who uses the bathtub or the washing machine? (Theoretical question).

It's not a joke. Some people are very knowledgeable about carre washing. Some want to learn. I have been to a couple. Usually the kitchen sink is used. An Ironing board is set up. We take turns at the sink. Some times snacks are served as we chat around the kitchen table. Usually there is a show and tell of highly collectible, unusual scarves and sometimes scarves are swapped and sold. It was a lot of fun. No washing machines used when I attended. This is serious business with avid scarf collectors.

 

[Mindi B]

I didn't know about those get-togethers, Hermes24, but they surely make sense in the wonderful world of "silkies." There is a lot of knowledge--and amazing collections--out there, so why not share? I have enough scarves to qualify, I think , but nowhere near enough expertise.

 

[etoile de mer]

It's fun! Sometimes collectors get together and have scarf washing parties.

It's not a joke. Some people are very knowledgeable about carre washing. Some want to learn. I have been to a couple. Usually the kitchen sink is used. An Ironing board is set up. We take turns at the sink. Some times snacks are served as we chat around the kitchen table. Usually there is a show and tell of highly collectible, unusual scarves and sometimes scarves are swapped and sold. It was a lot of fun. No washing machines used when I attended. This is serious business with avid scarf collectors.

This is so cute, I hadn't heard of this! Wonderful way for everyone to share tips and techniques. I actually really love these sort of tasks. Cleaning, ironing, polishing, all sort of meditative to me, so actually prefer to do alone. But I enjoy having this sort of time to nest at home! Not everyone's cup of tea, so the scarf washing party is a great idea!

 

[tabbi001]

I was too busy today to do any washing... will see tomorrow then I will let you guys know if my scarves are still alive after

 

[etoile de mer]

I was too busy today to do any washing... will see tomorrow then I will let you guys know if my scarves are still alive after

Sending best wishes! I think scarf washing is pretty easy, and after the first try, is less scary!

I get everything set up before starting…several white, fluffy towels, a sweater drying rack, 2 plastic tubs/basins, and delicates wash (I use The Laundress). I place the drying rack wherever I'll be letting the scarf dry, and lay the towels flat in an area I use to place the wet scarf once washed, when I'll need to roll out the excess water. And finally, I place the two bins at a sink, and am ready to start. I fill one with cold water, with a squirt of the delicates wash, and I fill the second basin with cold water, no detergent. Then I submerge the scarf in the soapy water, and gently swish, keeping the scarf moving. Once clean, I move it to the basin with the clear water, and continue to swish. I empty the soapy water basin, and fill with clear, cold water. and move the scarf to the clear water basin, and continue back and forth using new, clear, cold water in each basin to swish and rinse, until no bubbles remain. I gently remove the wet scarf, holding a moment over bin to let some excess water drip away. I place the wet scarf on the white towels arranging it so that it's back to square, and as possible, not overlapping onto itself. I gently roll the scarf into the towels, then I unroll, and place on drying rack. Once somewhat dry, I iron, avoiding all hems, being care not to iron over them. Rolled hems will still be damp, so then I place back on the drying rack, to let it completely dry. Mousselines can be washed, but must be ironed while very wet. Otherwise the fabric gets crinkly (which can be remedied by rewetting, and ironing wet).

Good luck!

 

[klynneann]

It's not a joke. Some people are very knowledgeable about carre washing. Some want to learn. I have been to a couple. Usually the kitchen sink is used. An Ironing board is set up. We take turns at the sink. Some times snacks are served as we chat around the kitchen table. Usually there is a show and tell of highly collectible, unusual scarves and sometimes scarves are swapped and sold. It was a lot of fun. No washing machines used when I attended. This is serious business with avid scarf collectors.

This sounds like a lot of fun to me. I love get togethers and what better reason to get together?

 

[cremel]

I was too busy today to do any washing... will see tomorrow then I will let you guys know if my scarves are still alive after

Tabbi,
I got nervous too when I first washed my silk scarves. Good thing is that I didn't destroy any of them. I used this blog as my guidelines :http://mylittlescarfblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/cleaning-hermes-scarves.html?m=1

Be sure not to put any kind of Hermes scaves in the sun.

Lately I have been so busy so I started going to dry clean for my cashmere ones. So far no damage has been done as far as I can tell!! But I am not 100% sure if dry clean satisfies Hermes scarf wash requirement. I just saw dry clean required from the scarf tag.

If you want to iron it do it very very lightly with caution and with steam otherwise the scarf might get damaged.

 

[cremel]

Oh as Etoile suggested don't squeeze the water out of the scarf. I always let the water drip then use the big towel to dry it. Just white towel not any colored ones.

 

[MadMadCat]

I always iron my silks when wet (not dripping). It makes the ironing way easier and they dry when being ironed. This is true for scarves or shirts.

I have always been told that natural fibers suffer more when dry cleaned, as long as one washes them with caution.

 

[Cordeliere]

Sending best wishes! I think scarf washing is pretty easy, and after the first try, is less scary!

I get everything set up before starting…several white, fluffy towels, a sweater drying rack, 2 plastic tubs/basins, and delicates wash (I use The Laundress). I place the drying rack wherever I'll be letting the scarf dry, and lay the towels flat in an area I use to place the wet scarf once washed, when I'll need to roll out the excess water. And finally, I place the two bins at a sink, and am ready to start. I fill one with cold water, with a squirt of the delicates wash, and I fill the second basin with cold water, no detergent. Then I submerge the scarf in the soapy water, and gently swish, keeping the scarf moving. Once clean, I move it to the basin with the clear water, and continue to swish. I empty the soapy water basin, and fill with clear, cold water. and move the scarf to the clear water basin, and continue back and forth using new, clear, cold water in each basin to swish and rinse, until no bubbles remain. I gently remove the wet scarf, holding a moment over bin to let some excess water drip away. I place the wet scarf on the white towels arranging it so that it's back to square, and as possible, not overlapping onto itself. I gently roll the scarf into the towels, then I unroll, and place on drying rack. Once somewhat dry, I iron, avoiding all hems, being care not to iron over them. Rolled hems will still be damp, so then I place back on the drying rack, to let it completely dry. Mousselines can be washed, but must be ironed while very wet. Otherwise the fabric gets crinkly (which can be remedied by rewetting, and ironing wet).

Good luck!

What setting do you put the iron on?

I washed one gavroche using Laundress. That gavroche had tons of sizing in it and was very stiff. The Laundress said an amount to use for hand washing, but the amount was not related to the amount of water. Since I was using the bathroom sink, I thought it was too much soap for that small basin. The Laundress also said not to soak more than 30 minutes. My gavroche was less stiff after the processes, but still more stiff than I would like. I am thinking of giving her another bath to try to loosen her up more. Any tips on how much soap and how long to swish?

 

[cremel]

Sorry to jump in but I saw this question. I think at the longest length of the strap, it will be a bit tight for a 26 to be worn crossbody. I can just about, but I am 5'1 and it hits at my waist. There is no way for the mini. I hope this helps.

Dear PP I love your garden view!

Thank you for your reply. I missed this somehow. I like the bag because I am petite. Looks like it's not going to function as a cross body. Need to think twice then.

 

[etoile de mer]

What setting do you put the iron on?

I washed one gavroche using Laundress. That gavroche had tons of sizing in it and was very stiff. The Laundress said an amount to use for hand washing, but the amount was not related to the amount of water. Since I was using the bathroom sink, I thought it was too much soap for that small basin. The Laundress also said not to soak more than 30 minutes. My gavroche was less stiff after the processes, but still more stiff than I would like. I am thinking of giving her another bath to try to loosen her up more. Any tips on how much soap and how long to swish?

I use the "wool/silk" setting on my Rowenta iron. Regarding amount of delicate wash, and swishing time, I just use enough to create soapy, bubbly water in the basin, and swish for a couple of minutes, at most. I never measure that sort of thing, just one short squeeze and release of the soap bottle. I also use The Laundress products for our washer. I found the recommended amount of detergent was too much for our front loader, so now I just use 2 short squeezes for that , as the suggested amount must be for a bigger washer! So as you said, maybe they're assuming a bigger basin for hand washing. Regarding the starch, I'm not a fan either! It does seem to vary, season to season, and I think darker scarves can sometimes feel more stiff due to the dye. My starchy scarves have softened after several washes, so yours will likely soften more with additional washing.

 

[pursecrzy]

Washing CSGMs:

I use the washing machine, front loader, hand wash cycle. I put the shawl in a lingerie bag and hang over a towel covered drying rack when done. I also use a colour catcher and a small amount of Woolite.

 

[Cordeliere]

I use the "wool/silk" setting on my Rowenta iron. Regarding amount of delicate wash, and swishing time, I just use enough to create soapy, bubbly water in the basin, and swish for a couple of minutes, at most. I never measure that sort of thing, just one short squeeze and release of the soap bottle. I also use The Laundress products for our washer. I found the recommended amount of detergent was too much for our front loader, so now I just use 2 short squeezes for that , as the suggested amount must be for a bigger washer! So as you said, maybe they're assuming a bigger basin for hand washing. Regarding the starch, I'm not a fan either! It does seem to vary, season to season, and I think darker scarves can sometimes feel more stiff due to the dye. My starchy scarves have softened after several washes, so yours will likely soften more with additional washing.

Thanks for the input.