Silk is a delicate and luxurious fabric that requires specialized care. While washing silk at home is generally not recommended, professional dry cleaning is the safest option for preserving the integrity of silk dresses. Color Vision has consulted our regular dry cleaner, Absolutt Cleaning and Laundry for this article. Here’s what you need to know about the dry cleaning process and how to protect your silk dresses.

The dry cleaning process for silk

Dry cleaning uses a solvent-based process rather than water to clean clothes, making it an ideal method for delicate fabrics like silk. Here’s a basic breakdown of what happens when you send your silk dress to the dry cleaner:

Ahcene: We begin with a meticulous inspection of the garment, assessing for stains, signs of wear, and the specific characteristics of the fabric. Any visible stains are then carefully tested to determine the most suitable treatment method. The solvent helps to lift and remove dirt, oil, and other stains without damaging the fabric. 

The dress is then cleaned using a gentle program designed specifically for silk, often with silicone-based hydrocarbon cleaning agents instead of traditional solvents. The process cleans the fabric without the risk of shrinkage or distortion of the fabric that water could cause.

After the cleaning cycle, your dress is carefully examined, and any remaining stains are treated. Following the cleaning cycle, the garment is meticulously steamed or professionally pressed to reestablish its original drape, structure, and sheen, before being prepared and packaged to our quality standards for client pickup.

Questions to ask your dry cleaner

To ensure your silk dress receives the best care possible, it’s essential to communicate with your dry cleaner. Here are a few important questions to ask:

Achene discloses that Absolutt Cleaning and Laundry "highly value detailed information about any stains — including their origin, composition, and how long they have been present. If you have applied home remedies or commercial stain treatments, please let us know, as these can influence the cleaning process and the choice of solvents. We also ask that you inform us of any structural or decorative features, such as bonded components, beadwork, or vulnerable seams, to ensure the garment is handled with the appropriate level of care".

Are there dry cleaners that specialize in luxury textiles and silk? Or can any cleaner handle these fabrics?
Not all dry cleaners have experience with high-end materials such as silk, and particularly not with more complex varieties like duchesse. It’s advisable to choose a cleaner with documented expertise, preferably one that specializes in bridal and eveningwear textiles.

Which chemicals do you use in the cleaning process?
We primarily use environmentally friendly, silk-safe solvents such as silicone-based systems higlow or mild hydrocarbon solvents. These options are gentler on the fibers and help preserve the fabric’s luster and structure. Traditional solvents like perchloroethylene, which is carcinogenic are avoided for all garments in our care.”

Do you offer any additional services, such as stain removal or repairs?
Yes! Stain removal is a part of the dry cleaning process - we adapt the technique depending on stain types. We also collaborate with professional tailors which can aid the customer with repairs, hemming or reinforcement of seams if needed. 

How do you press or steam silk dresses?
Proper pressing is critical to maintain the smooth, elegant look of silk. Absolutt Cleaning and Laundry uses professional steamers which are calibrated to a low temperature. Some dresses are lightly pressed by hand using special cloths to avoid shine marks. For structured silk fabrics like duchesse we use a combination of hand pressing and low heat to preserve the shape of the fabric. 

How to protect silk at the dry cleaners

While dry cleaning is essential for maintaining your silk dress, there are a few things you can do to ensure it’s properly cared for:

Use a garment bag
When you take your dress to the dry cleaner, ensure it’s placed in a breathable garment bag. This helps protect it from dust, dirt, and any potential damage during the transport or cleaning process. Jusef adds that Absolutt Cleaning and Laundry prefers garment bags in breathable fabrics like cotton. "It protects the dress during transport without moisture buildup". Avoid plastic bags, and bring the dress on a solid clothing hanger to avoid creases. 

Cover fragile buttons and zipper pullers
If your dress has glass or porcelain buttons, a great advice is to cover these with tape before you deliver the garment to the dry cleaner to avoid chipping. Metal zipper pulls benefit from being enclosed in tape to avoid laquer peeling.



Read the label
If your dress has special care instructions, it’s helpful to discuss the contents of the carelabel with the dry cleaner, so they are aware of the fabric’s delicacy and any specific treatments it may require.

Inspect before you leave
Before handing over your silk dress, carefully inspect it for any visible stains or damage that you want the cleaner to address. This can help avoid any issues later on and ensures they take the proper steps for cleaning.

Benefits of professional silk dry cleaning

Professional dry cleaning offers several benefits for your silk dress, it preserves fabric integrity, restores luster and extends the life of the dress. 

Our starting point is the Mia silk duchess dress - duchess is a luxurious and tightly woven silk fabric which requires gentle treatment.  Washing the dress by hand or in a washing machine at home could damage the fibre structure of the textile and lead to shrinkage, diminished luster or stains. Unlike water washing, dry cleaning uses solvents that won’t shrink or stretch silk fibers, which ensures the dress keeps its original shape and texture. Professional dry cleaning preserves the longevity of the textile and color, as well as the shape of the dress. In addition, professional dry cleaning prolongs the garments lifespan considerably.

Between professional cleanings, proper storage and maintenance are essential for preserving silk. Read our guide to caring for luxury garments: How to remove odors from silk dresses without washing for tips on removing smell from delicate fabrics.