DR.

KUNTAMALLA SUJATHA GUDIMALLA PRASHANTHI

PROF OF SERICULTURE HEAD, DEPT OF ZOOLOGY
DEPT OF SERICULTURE, LB COLLEGE
KAKATIYA UNIVERSITY WARANGAL
WARANGAL, TELANGANA TELANGANA
HOW TO REMOVE STAINS FROM SILK FABRICS
Sari is an elegant and costly wear worn for wedding and other special occasions
especially in South India. Hence while attending an important occasion at home
or outside there is a chance of stains occurring on the sari, removal of the stains
and use it again is necessary.

Sweat patches on a sari can be removed by applying a cotton dipped in a cup

full of water to which equal quantity of lemon juice / vinegar is added.

To remove deodorant stain from a silk sari use dilute NH3.

To remove oil stains from a silk fabric use talcum powder, sprinkle the powder on
the fabric after 10 minutes brush away the excess powder, corn starch can also be
used in place of talcum powder.

Alcohol stains on silk fabrics or garment can be removed when fresh. If the stain
is bit larger wash it with warm water several times. In case of stubborn stains
glycerin is applied on stained part and after half an hour rinse it with water.
For coffee and tea stains sponge the fabric area with luke warm water and then
gently apply glycerin over it, wait for 30 minutes and rinse the area with warm
water.

Chocolate stains – Mix equal quantity of denatured alcohol and house hold
ammonia and gently remove the chocolate stains from the sari or garment with the
solution and then gently clean the area with warm water.

A piece of cloth or cotton dipped in water is swabbed on the affected area, dried
and ironed.
Greasy stains – Wipe the stain out of the dark color sari using a piece of
cotton cloth dipped in acetone, while light color saris are sprinkle with talcum
powder on the specific area to remove the stain.
For ink stains, diluted alcohol is the best solution.

For removing any other stains from a silk fabric, use shikakai or soap nut.
Though these tricks come handy in emergency time yet it is always advisable
to send it for to a professional.
DO’S AND DON’T

* Never use hot water for washing silk clothing as it will distort the shape of the
fabric.

* Never use chlorine products on silk material.

* Never use ammonia straight on the fabric.

* Never wring silk garment to remove water from it.

* Always iron a silk garment when it is damp as heat may damage the fabric if it is
completely dry.

* Never use plastic sheets to store your expensive silk garments. Always use cotton
bags to store them.

* Never bleach your silk garment as it would damage the colour of your fabric.

* To maintain the smoothness and shine of silk always let your silk garment to air
dry (not sun dry) never put it in a machine dryer.
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