Silk pajama pants or lounge pants can add some luxury to your evening.  But when it comes time to wash them, you want to make sure that this little bit of luxury stays around for a while.

When caring for silk clothing, the first thing to do is check the instructions found on the garment tag.  This is where the manufacturer lets you know the best way to wash your garment.  However, if there is no tag, or you can no longer read the text or symbols on the label, here are some general guidelines for caring for silk.  But please also use your own common sense.  I am not responsible for any mishaps that may occur.

Before you wash your silk garments, perform a spot test with water and mild soap in a hidden part of the garment.  If it affects the garment or makes the color run, take it to a professional for cleaning.  Do not wash it at home.

A washing machine can be used for some silk pajama pants and lounge pants  But to keep them looking their best, it's a good idea to hand wash these pieces instead of machine washing them.  Use cool water and a mild soap to hand wash your garment.  When washing the garment, be gentle.  Do not wring it out or let it soak for long periods of time.  Silk is a delicate fabric that must be treated with care.

Drain the soapy water and rinse the garment in fresh cool water with some white vinegar added to it.  Vinegar is a natural laundry booster and fabric softener.  It helps to remove soap residue from the garment.  After rinsing with the vinegar mixture, give the garment one more rinse with plain cool water.  Do not wring out the piece to get rid of the excess water.  Instead, it should be rolled in a clean and dry towel.

When drying silk, do not use a heat setting on a dryer or place in direct sunlight, as this can damage the delicate fibers.  If you must machine dry it, then use air-dry settings and avoid heated ones.  Preferably, hang the garment to dry away from direct sunlight.

Ironing should be done on the wrong side of the fabric while the garment is still damp.  Use the lowest setting on your iron -- most irons have a "silk" setting.