Removing Hair Gel from Silk Shirts

It is almost time for you to leave, your ride is on the way and you need to fix your hair. You pull out the gel and squeeze some into your hand then start working it through your hair. The just as you turn away from the mirror you see a glob on you shoulder, right on your favorite silk shirt. Something like this has happened to all of us at the most inconvenient time. Here is a quick way to deal with the stain before your friend arrives to pick you up.

1. Scrape off the excess gel left on the shirt. You can use a spoon or the back side of a knife works well too.
2. Rinse the stain in some warm water. Hair gel is water soluble and will break down as you rinse, you can rub gently with your fingers if you do not feel it is coming out.
3. To make sure all the gel is out you can use a mild detergent with the warm water.
4. 4. If you have a stain remover safe for silk on hand that is great. Something like K2r Spot Remover will work. Apply this to the stain and gently work it into the fabric.
5. Rinse thoroughly. You do not want to leave any thing in the fibers of the shirt. Some lukewarm water run through the stain should work to get any leftover product out.
6. Leave the shirt laying flat until you come home and can launder it appropriately.

Once you return home you can finish the job. Following the instructions for care on the tag, you will need to wash the shirt in warm water. A mild detergent, like Woolite, is good to put in the water, but do not use too much. Put the shirt through the shortest and gentlest cycle your washer has, and remove the garment immediately after the washer stops. Make sure your stain is gone before you use any form of heat on the fabric by letting it dry completely while laying flat or hung on a shaped hanger. If the stain is still there repeat the process until it is gone.

After you are sure the stain has been removed you can iron the shirt. To prevent scorching of the fabric you want to rewet the shirt so it is damp, now you can proceed to press it. Set your iron to its coolest temperature and start ironing the sleeve and collar areas. You can gradually bring the temperature up as you iron but do not exceed a medium setting.

Caring for silk can be a little intimidating because of others horror stories of how wash their silk clothing ruined it. If you follow the care instructions and stick to mild methods of cleaning your silk will be fine.