The Care and Preservation of 19-Momme Mulberry Silk: An Atelier Master Guide

Silk is the undisputed queen of natural textiles. Hypoallergenic, temperature-regulating, and possessing a liquid drape that synthetic satin can never duplicate, 100% pure 19-momme mulberry silk is the crown jewel of our ready-to-wear dresses and Venetian twill scarves.

1. What Does “19-Momme” Signify?

Momme (pronounced moe-mee, abbreviated mm) is the imperial metric used to grade silk density. A higher momme count indicates denser weave, greater durability, and deeper light-refracting luster:

• Under 12 Momme: Sheer and fragile, prone to runs and seam slippage.
• 14 to 16 Momme: Standard lightweight scarf grade.
• 19 Momme: The golden luxury standard. Substantial, opaque, and naturally resistant to snagging while maintaining breathability.

2. Washing vs. Dry Cleaning: The Atelier Recommendation

While structured evening gowns with internal corsetry should always be entrusted to a couture dry cleaner specializing in delicate textiles, unlined silk scarves and slip dresses can be hand-washed at home with exceptional care:

1. Cold Water Bath: Submerge the piece in cool water (under 30°C / 86°F). Never use warm or hot water.
2. pH-Neutral Detergent: Use a specialized silk wash or baby shampoo. Never use standard biological laundry detergents or chlorine bleach.
3. Gentle Swirling: Agitate the water gently for 3 minutes. Never wring, twist, or scrub silk fibers.
4. Towel Roll Method: Place the clean silk flat on a clean white towel. Roll the towel up like a cylinder to press out excess moisture without stress.
5. Air Drying in Shade: Lay flat or hang on a padded silk hanger away from direct sunlight and heater vents.

3. Removing Wrinkles: The Power of Steam

Direct iron plates can scorch natural silk protein fibers. We recommend a gentle handheld garment steamer held 15cm (6 inches) away from the garment. If using a traditional iron, always turn the garment inside-out, place a clean cotton pressing cloth between the iron and silk, and select the lowest Silk temperature setting with zero steam pressure.