Scarves Hermes Cotton Scarfs

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#16
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
Salt and vinegar ladies, please elaborate.

I think you mean to do this once, early on, to set the dye and then the scarves should be set for future washings, is that correct?

Unless you mean we should do that every time. I don't think this is what you mean, but want to be sure.

I wash all of my scarves with The Laundress. I've see a little color run, but not much. Still, I'd rather prevent as much as possible.

So glad you started this thread, Klamotti. I'm in the habit of looking past cotton scarves (I buy pre-loved), but if I am ever to find a square Jungle Love in my budget, it's likely to be a cotton, so I've been trying to rethink the cotton angle. (Square because I have a silk JL twilly).

Also, until now, I hadn't considered cotton for warmer days. Love that.
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You have to do it before it gets dirty (as in when/as new) otherwise you set the dirt and stains along with the dye.

Only use white vinegar (not malt, because the producers add caramel dye to the vinegar)

Salt sets the dye (or any colour)
Vinegar gets rid of grease.
 
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#17
I would use a color catcher for a normal wash.

Fabric dyeing is like a chemistry experiment.

When I hand dye fabric or yarns, I use a fiber reactive acid dye meant for silk and natural fibers, and the salt I use in it is added at the dyeing level while the dyes are hot. The vinegar I use in the rinse after dyeing and just before rinsing everything out and clearing all the chemicals out with Synthropol, but with the dyes I use (Procyon dyes from Dharma) that actual mordant (the thing that sets the dyes) is soda ash. It is harsh so not recommended for plain old washing, just for setting. With the fiber reactive dyes I use, the salt acts as a color spreader to help with even color. The vinegar helps set it at the end, and brighten the colors. But the main setting is by soda ash.

Different dyes use different mordants to set the dyes. Some acid dyes have to be set through steam. Some (like the ones that use soda ash) need a certain amount of time in the soda ash to set. Then there are natural dyes (like with onions, beets, flowers and other stuff) that all need something specific to the plants. I don't do plant dyeing so I don't keep up with the chemicals needed for those...

Without knowing what KIND of dyes H is using, it's really hard to say what will set a dye. That being said, you only set a dye one time.

After that, something like a color catcher is probably your best bet. So I think if you are going to use a salt and vinegar rinse, you will only do it one time. After that, hand wash with a color catcher.
 
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#19
Hi @GloWW0rM! I find that the wrinkling issue depends somewhat on the kind of cotton used on the particular scarf. My personal favorite is the mercerized cotton used on the 70s at one point. The 70s that have charms at the corners seem to be a thinner cotton, more like voile but not quite. And the pareos and older cotton 140s seem to be a mix, but still not as heavy as the mercerized cottons. In my experience the thinner cottons tend to maintain their wrinkles, the heavier cottons can be smoothed out somewhat unless you’ve really crammed them into a tight knot. HTH! :flowers:

ETA adding that there are also a few cotton scarves issued periodically in the men’s collection, and I would say they are a bit heavier than the charm cottons but not as heavy as the mercerized versions. I quite like the cotton scarves and wish Hermes would offer more of them.
 
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#20
textilegirl said:
Hi @GloWW0rM! I find that the wrinkling issue depends somewhat on the kind of cotton used on the particular scarf. My personal favorite is the mercerized cotton used on the 70s at one point. The 70s that have charms at the corners seem to be a thinner cotton, more like voile but not quite. And the pareos and older cotton 140s seem to be a mix, but still not as heavy as the mercerized cottons. In my experience the thinner cottons tend to maintain their wrinkles, the heavier cottons can be smoothed out somewhat unless you’ve really crammed them into a tight knot. HTH! :flowers:

ETA adding that there are also a few cotton scarves issued periodically in the men’s collection, and I would say they are a bit heavier than the charm cottons but not as heavy as the mercerized versions. I quite like the cotton scarves and wish Hermes would offer more of them.
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Thank you for your detailed reply - that’s most helpful! I’m hoping to try one of the new season Elias Kafouros 80 cotton scarves.
 
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#21
I just looked at my cotton scarves and all of them are a cotton/silk blend. I have the women's etoles that were released for a few seasons more then a decade ago, and I have some of the men's pieces in two sizes. All were made in France. The new piece that is shown on the Spring 2025 thread is 100% cotton, and made in Italy. As far as wrinkling, I would say that is not as much a problem as refolding them to store away. I would venture a guess I was unable to get any of them to fold along the original folds. That said I had one with me while in San Francisco more than a decade ago, and it was very comfortable to wear while traveling. I know that they were not subject to getting runs. I like the new design for this Spring. I am considering it and can give a more accurate if I buy it, after comparing it with what I own.
 
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