How to Care for Satin

Satin has a reputation for being difficult. It isn't — it just punishes two habits: wringing and rough surfaces. Avoid those and a satin piece will outlast most of your cottons.

Why satin needs different handling

Satin is a weave, not a fibre. The threads "float" over several others before tucking under, and those long floats are what give the surface its sheen. They're also exposed. Anything that catches a thread — a ring, a bag clasp, velcro, a rough nail — pulls a visible line across the cloth. Most satin damage happens while wearing it, not while washing it.

How to wash satin at home

Hand wash, cold water, mild liquid detergent. Swish, don't scrub. Five minutes is enough. Rinse until the water runs clear.

For hand-dyed pieces — the Green Satin Tie-Dye Halter Top and the shibori sets — wash separately for the first two washes. Resist-dyed cloth can release a little colour early on, and you don't want it landing on something cream.

If you'd rather not think about it, dry clean. Both routes are fine.

How to dry satin without ruining it

Never wring. Wringing twists the floats and sets creases that are very hard to get out. Instead, lay the piece flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up, press gently, unroll. Then dry flat or on a padded hanger, in shade. Direct sun dulls the sheen and fades the dye.

How to iron satin

Low heat, inside out, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric. No steam bursts directly on the surface — water spots show. If the piece is only lightly creased, hang it in the bathroom while you shower and let the steam do the work.

How to store satin

Hang tops on padded or wide hangers — thin wire hangers leave shoulder marks. Fold skirts loosely, not under a pile. The Rust Satin Tie-Dye Drape Set has a drape wrap skirt with a waist tie; untie it before storing so the knot doesn't crease in. Keep satin away from anything with hooks, sequins or zips in the cupboard.

While you're wearing it

Put jewellery on after the top, not before. Carry a bag with a smooth strap. Perfume and deodorant go on first and dry fully — both can mark satin. That's the whole list.

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Frequently asked questions

Can satin go in the washing machine?
We'd say no. Even in a mesh bag on a gentle cycle, the drum and other garments are where snags come from. Hand washing takes five minutes.

How do I fix a snag in satin?
Don't cut it. Gently stretch the fabric along the line of the pulled thread, in both directions, and most of it will ease back in. Pull any remaining loop through to the inside with a fine needle.

Why does my shibori piece look different from the photo?
Because it's hand-dyed. Slight variation in colour and pattern is natural to the technique — more in What Is Shibori?