Caring for Women’s Scarves

An alternative storage method (providing you have the space in your closet) is to hang each scarf over the bottom of a (non-wire) hanger so that the scarves are flat, not scrunched.

If there are beads or other delicate embellishments on your women’s scarves, be sure to read manufacturers suggestions or bring them to a dry cleaning professional for cleaning recommendations.

The following tips will explain the various methods required to clean and store women’s scarves of a variety of fabrics:

Cotton Women’s Scarves: Cotton scarves tend to be a bit more sturdy, as well as easier to care for than any other fabric scarf. Wash your cotton women’s scarves at a cool, low temperature, on the gentle cycle. Dry on low heat and remove before completely dry or simply lay flat to dry. This is important because cotton shrinks in high heat temperatures. Iron your cotton scarves but be sure to test in a small spot first to make sure your iron is not too hot!

Silk Women’s Scarves: Silk scarves necessitate a little extra care to keep them looking their best. Do not wash your silk scarves unless they’re visibly soiled. If you do need to wash them, either wash them very gently by hand in cool to tepid water with a fine-washables-detergent.

The safest way to clean a silk scarf is to take it to a dry cleaner.

Chenille Women’s Scarves: Chenille is an easy care fabric. For washing, use a cool temperature and gentle to normal setting. Chenille scarves may be placed in the dryer, but use a low temperature setting. Ironing chenille is fine. Iron on the wrong or opposite side or place a thin handkerchief in between the iron and the scarf.

Chiffon Women’s Scarves: Chiffon scarves can be made from a variety of materials such as crepe, polyester or silk. Its important that you check your scarf’s label. For silk and crepe chiffon scarves, dry cleaning is best unless the label state otherwise.

Poly chiffon can be machine washed but again, check the label on the scarf and follow care instructions.

Wool Women’s Scarves: Wool scarves, when properly cared for will last for many seasons. Hang wool scarves over padded hangers to allow the wear-wrinkles to loosen out so the scarf can return back to its pre-worn shape. If the wrinkles are resistant, turn the iron on high and set to the steam setting. Steam the scarf but don’t drag the iron across the wool, instead, lift the iron and place it on the areas that need pressing. If you wash your wool scarf, don’t fully dry it in the dryer. Let it dry a little and then remove it from the dryer and lay it flat to dry the rest of the way.