Silk Care Guide

Silk twill is silk woven in a fine diagonal pattern, which gives it a slight surface texture, a soft sheen and enough body to hold a fold; it is the standard weave for pocket squares, ties and scarves. To test for real silk: it feels cool then warms to the touch, has a soft layered sheen rather than a plastic shine, and crumples softly then relaxes. Polyester squeaks when rubbed and stays shiny at every angle. Monzoro pocket squares are silk [CONFIRM: weave type, e.g. twill].

Silk drapes and polyester does not. A silk square settles into a soft puff and stays put, with a gentle sheen that changes with the light; polyester is stiff and springy, so it pops out of the pocket and looks shiny and plasticky under flash or daylight. Silk also takes dye better, so prints are richer and colours deeper. The price difference is small at the affordable end: a silk square costs around £15–£20, only a few pounds more than polyester.

A hand-rolled hem is rolled and stitched by hand into a small, slightly uneven tube along the edge; it adds weight to the border, helps the square drape, and is regarded as a mark of quality. A machine hem is flat, thin and perfectly regular. Hand-rolled edges cost more and look softer in the pocket; machine hems are neater and perfectly good on everyday squares. Monzoro pocket squares have [CONFIRM: hem type, hand-rolled or machine-stitched] edges.

Yes, by hand, but dry cleaning is the safest option, especially for printed or coloured silk. Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent, moving it gently for a minute or two, without soaking, scrubbing or wringing. Rinse in cool water, press out moisture in a towel and dry flat away from sun and heat. Never machine wash or tumble dry silk, and wash dark colours on their own the first time.

Iron silk on the lowest setting, usually marked silk, on the reverse side, through a clean cotton cloth, while the fabric is slightly damp. Keep the iron moving and never leave it resting on the silk. Do not spray water directly onto silk, because droplets can leave marks; dampen the pressing cloth instead. Let the piece cool flat before folding it. A steamer held a few centimetres away also works well.

Hang it in the bathroom while you shower for 10–15 minutes; the steam relaxes most creases. Alternatively, lay it flat under a heavy book overnight, or roll it around a cardboard tube for an hour. Avoid a hairdryer on a hot setting and never spray it with water, which spots silk. For stubborn creases, a low iron on the reverse through a cloth is the reliable fix.

Flat or loosely rolled, in a drawer away from sunlight, and never tightly folded for long periods, which sets permanent creases along the folds. Keep them away from anything damp or oily, and interleave squares with tissue paper to prevent dye transfer between colours. After an event, air the square for a few hours, then store it flat; the branded envelope or box Monzoro sends it in is a good place to keep it.

Roll it loosely rather than folding it, and keep it in a soft pouch or its original envelope or box so it is not crushed against buckles or zips. Pack it near the top of the bag or in the pocket of a suit carrier. On arrival, hang it or lay it flat for an hour and light creases will drop out; a steamy bathroom finishes the job. Never pack silk next to toiletries or aftershave.

Sometimes. Yellowing usually comes from age, sunlight or residue from perfume or sweat. Hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent, then rinse in cool water with a splash of white vinegar or a silk-safe oxygen whitener. Never use chlorine bleach, which destroys silk. Rinse thoroughly and dry flat out of the sun. If it stays yellow, a dry cleaner can sometimes lift it. Store white silk in the dark to stop it happening again.

Prevention is easier than cure: put on aftershave and perfume before you dress and let them dry, because alcohol and oils mark silk permanently. For a fresh water spot, dampen the whole square evenly with cool water so the mark blends in, then dry flat; wetting one area sets a ring. For perfume stains, take it to a dry cleaner and say what the mark is. Never rub silk with a wet cloth or apply stain remover directly.