How to Clean Kimonos

Cotton

• 1

  Prepare the kimono for washing. A cotton kimono will hold up well in a washing machine as long as the delicate cycle is selected and harsher fabrics such as denim or terry cloth are not included in the wash. To wash in a washing machine, place the kimono in a garment bag and wash with other delicate items, or wash the kimono by itself to ensure the safest wash cycle.

  If you are hand washing, no preparation of the kimono is necessary.

• 2

  Wash the kimono. If machine washing, add the detergent and fill the basin with water before placing the kimono in the water. Set the cycle size to small and the fabric setting to delicate. Let the washing machine run and remove the kimono shortly after the rinse cycle to avoid wrinkles. Lay flat to dry.

  If hand washing, fill the basin with enough cold water to cover the kimono and add the detergent, mixing until it dissolves. Very gently move the fabric around for a few minutes and rise the kimono with fresh water.

• 3

  Dry the kimono. Take the kimono out of the basin and roll it in a towel to drain excess water. Then hang it or lay it out flat to dry. Do not dry in direct sunlight, as the colors can fade.

Silk

• 4

  Access the condition and age of your silk kimono. If the silk is in good condition and the kimono has sturdy stitching, it can be washed by hand. Hand washing is recommended over machine washing due to the fragile nature of silk and the problems that you may run into with your particular machine. If the kimono is a vintage piece that is showing wear, it is best to take the kimono to a dry cleaner to preserve the shape and color.

• 5

  Wash the kimono. Fill the basin with warm water and add the gentle detergent, mixing until it is completely dissolved. Add a tablespoon of borax if you have hard water. Gently agitate the garment for a few minutes before rinsing. If desired, add a few tablespoons of white vinegar to the rinse water to dissolve any leftover residue.

• 6

  Dry the kimono. Roll the delicate silk in a towel to remove excess water. Hang the kimono to finish the drying process. Avoid direct sunlight when drying and storing or displaying the kimono because it can bleach the silk.