Replies

1. 
   mimi | Sep 16, 2005 03:25pm | #1

   Carol:  I have had one good experience dealing with stained silk.  I had stained a silk top (brand new of course) with tomato sauce.  When I got home I googled "stained clothing" and got the Tide.com helpline site.  They recommended a mixture of water, dish liquid and peroxide (I beleive it was a ratio of 1 Tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, 3 drops), but caution to test it in an inconspicuous place on the garment first. 

   I backed the stained part of the top with several layers of paper towel to minimize any bleedthrough and dabbed on the cleaning solution with a q-tip, rinsing thoroughly after every application.  After a few moments it did come out, and more importantly, did not damage the material.

   The dish liquid has a surfacent, so it should remove grease stains as well.

   Good luck!

   mimi

2. 
   SewTruTerry | Sep 16, 2005 03:32pm | #2

   I have also successfully used the Dryel home dry cleaning system with good luck.  I use the stain remover that comes with the system sometimes that alone will get pretty much any stain out very successfully. But if you then follow up with the dryer part of the cleaning process and follow the directions and hang the garment up after you save yourself a trip to the dry cleaners.  Of course I do not use this all of the time but it comes in handy in a pinch.

3. 
   SkiNsew | Sep 16, 2005 04:03pm | #3

   I think you should bit the bullet and take the skirt to the dry cleaner.  You probably paid a lot of money for this suit and if these home remedies don't work you will be out a lot more than just a few dollars.

   HTH

   Mary

4. 
   artfulenterprises | Sep 19, 2005 08:01am | #4

   I manufactured a line of plus size sportswear in silk noil and shantung. When disaster struck, such as machine oil spots, lipstick, etc. I always used Zout. It's miraculous. It can usually be purchased at Target, WalMart, and some drugstores such as RiteAid or Longs. Even the finest silks can be handwashed. Use cold water especially if it is a deep color and don't twist or wring. Or; like the lady said, take it to the dry cleaner. Ask for special handling and don't have them steam press the life out of it. Press it yourself. Be sure to read the label in your garments. Sometimes the linings or the fashion fabric itself can't take the drycleaning.

1. 
   bea | Sep 20, 2005 07:07pm | #5

   I have recently discovered Ajax liquid dish detergent for treating stains. A drop or two

   and hand rinsing as gotten out every stain. I too have used Zout with mixed results. I, now, have a squirt bottle of Ajax on my washer and on familar fabics (t shirts, jeans) I treat them when I remove the clothing and launder later.  Ajax has gotten out those pale darker spots on black t shirts, that were previously washed. Bea

    

1. 
   customsewer | Sep 29, 2005 08:48am | #6

   I would like to thank everyone for their suggestions! The information is much appreciated!!

   I've just gotten back here to read the suggestions -- the clothing-disastrous meeting produced a lot of good work -- so I apologize for the delay in responding.

   I think I will open out the facing of the kick pleat (that should qualify as an inconspicous place) and put an small spot there & try the Zout or Ajax treatments. I'll report back on how that worked.

   Carol in Denver