A white shawl is a symbol of elegance, style, and expert craftsmanship. Maintenance of the favourite shawls is the necessity of every fashion enthusiast. The finesse that a white shawl carries comes with a list of tips and tricks to maintain its originality.
When we take in consideration a white shawl, the lightness of its colour has to be taken into account. Plus, the softness of the wool which comes from the natural fibres requires perpetual care.
Here are a few tips solicited by textile experts of the UK about how to care for your white shawls –
- Washing
There is an entire guide on how your favourite white shawls must be washed in order to keep them as warm, smooth and new. The luxuriousness of the cashmere adds to the quality of it being white. A white shawl indeed is more difficult to maintain for it can wrinkle or stain easily. Follow the tips:
- Get it dry-cleaned bimonthly.
- If you’re washing it on your own, do not do it too often.
- Use your hands instead of a washing-machine
- Avoid using harsh chemicals and use gentle detergents instead.
- Use lukewarm water and fabric conditioner for a softer finish.
- Don't rub it roughly, squeeze the excess water gently and dry it flat in natural air.
- If you want to iron it, use the lowest heat option with gentle motion.
Protip: True cashmere burns like hair, if the fabric emits a plastic like smell, consider it artificial.
- After it has been cleaned and dried, store it in a dry and dustless place.
- Removing Stains
The most popular drawback of white apparel wear is its easily stainable nature. It's a blessing that natural fibres like wool have an aversion towards stains and peculiar odours. However, accidents are inevitable. so , here are some tips and tricks to remove particular stains from you milky white shawls made from pashmina wool shawl:
- Red wine, an ardent stainer, can be removed by keeping the white shawl under running water. A solution of rubbing alcohol and cold water, in the ratio 3:1 can then be used to dab clean the stain. Rinse it again to get a stainless shawl. Same process can be followed for ink and juice stains.
- Oil or makeup stains can be cleaned with a piece of cloth soaked in a petroleum spirit and dabbed against it. The excess oil will be soaked up by the spirit leaving it clean. It can be followed by rinsing the shawl with running water.
- Coffee is another stubborn stainer. If your white shawl is stained with it, you can use a solution of half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one cup of lukewarm water pressed against the stain.
- Additional tips
- Avoid using cologne on your white shawls because the delicate wool might get patchy stains from the overusage.
- Finer weaves must be folded carefully to avoid creases.
- To brush off the dust, a soft haired brush must be used so that the original shine can be maintained.
- If you’re travelling with your shawl, remember to fold it in a soft tissue of silk cloth to avoid loosening of fibres.
Being careful with the usage of your white shawl will always come handy in its maintenance. Constant attention must be ensured to prevent any future damage. With careful carrying, washing, storing and managing of the shawl, you can maintain its longevity and durability.
