Aerial Silks are usually practiced inside but some people love to practice outside attaching to a tree.
Here Is Why Aerial Silks Shouldn’t Get Wet:
It is not recommended as the fabrics (usually silk/nylon) can develop mildew when left in the outdoors.
If this does develop your Aerial silks can be air dried or dried with a towel. If there are any stains you can use methods such as 2 parts baking soda with 1 part soap to remove the mildew.
We are gong to detail in this article why you shouldn’t get Aerial silks wet, whether you should practice Aerial silks in the rain, and washing tips and tricks for your aerial silks. Thanks!
Can Aerial Silks Get Wet?
Aerial silks are made of a combination of silk and nylon and they can get wet. It is very important to keep this fabric dry because it can mildew and stain if it gets wet or humid.
If your silks become damp (e.g., due to humidity and/or rain), the easiest way to prevent them from mildewing is by keeping them in an airtight container with some dessicant packets, such as those found in shoe boxes or other packaging material.
Can You Do Aerial Silks In The Rain?
It is not recommended. While you may perform aerial yoga or hoop inside during the rain, you should never do aerial silks outside when it’s raining because they can mildew.
It takes approximately 12-24 hours for aerial silks to mildew, so it’s best to take precautions. If the weather is questionable, you should always err on the side of caution and not risk it.
In general practice, aerial silks should never get wet outside because they can mildew and be ruined easily even if you take precautions.
It would probably be a good idea to bring something lightweight indoors for times when there is a chance that it might rain or that your silks will get damp due to humidity. The easiest option would be a large clear garbage bag.
Can You Put Aerial Silks Outside?
It’s not recommended because it could make them mildew or stain from rain or humid conditions.
Instead, keep them in an airtight container with some dessicant packets, such as those found in shoe boxes or other packaging material. Here is a article on where to hang aerial silks.
Can You Wash Aerial Silks?
Aerial silks can be washed if they get dirty, but you should never wash them outside because they can get mildewed easily. It takes approximately 12-24 hours for aerial silks to mildew, so it’s best to take precautions. If the weather is questionable, you should always err on the side of caution and not risk it.
Tips for Washing Aerial Silks
1. Don’t Spin or Tumble Dry
Spinning or tumbling dry can damage aerial silks because there are parts of the fabric that can hang loose and snag on other items. When you spin them, the fabric is stretched out of shape and tumbling drys can damage seams or traps threads.
2. Treat Stains with a Mild Detergent or Soap
You should never use any products that contain bleach on aerial silks because they are made of silk which is an organic material that might be damaged by chemicals like bleach.
It’s best to err on the side of caution and use a mild soap or detergent that won’t damage the fabric. Use approximately 1 teaspoon of soap per cup of water, lather it up in your hands first, then rub it into the stained area until clean.
3. Don’t Machine Dry Aerial Silks
Machine drying can damage aerial silks because there are parts of the fabric that can hang loose and snag on other items. When you machine dry, the fabric is stretched out of shape, which can damage seams or traps threads.
4. Use a Dryer Bag to Protect Them from Snagging
Before putting your aerial silk inside a dryer, make sure it’s in a dryer bag. This will prevent it from getting caught on other items inside the dryer and stretch or tear the fabric.
5. Don’t Use High Heat to Wash Aerial Silks
You should never use high heat when washing aerial silks because they can be damaged by heat over 104F (40C). It’s best to err on the side of caution and use a cold or warm setting with gentle agitation.
6. Rinse Thoroughly to Make Sure All Soap is Rinsed Away
It’s important that all of the soap is rinsed away from your aerial silks because residual soap can make them mildew or stain if left for a long period of time.
7. Remove From Dryer Immediately
It’s your duty to take out the aerial silk from the dryer as soon as it is finished. This will prevent it from getting caught on other items and stretching or tearing the fabric.
8. Air Dry to Preserve Shape and Luster
Aerial silks should never be put in a dryer because it can damage the fabric. It’s best to air dry them so they maintain their shape and luster.
9. Don’t Iron Aerial Silks
You shouldn’t iron aerial silks because heat from an iron can damage them if too much is applied. It’s best to keep them away from heat and steam.
10. Look Up Care and Cleaning Instructions on the Web
It’s a good idea to do research online before washing your aerial silks to make sure you don’t damage them in any way, especially if they are used for performances or training where they might need to be clean between each use.
How Often Should You Wash Your Aerial Silks?
You should avoid washing your aerial silks many times because it can damage the delicate fabric. It’s best to hang them in a dry place with good air circulation or store them in an airtight container until you are ready to use them again.
Tips To Keep Your Aerial Silks Clean
The best thing you can do to maintain your aerial silks is to keep them clean. You should follow these tips to keep them clean.
1.Avoid Getting Them Wet
You should try not to get your aerial silks wet. If you do happen to catch some rain on them, immediately dry it with a clean towel or let it air dry on its own. When you’re done training outside, just shake the excess dirt and water off of them first before putting them away.
2. Keep Away From Pets
You should keep your aerial silks away from pets that can easily damage them. This is especially true for cats because they like to chew on things that dangle, which might include silk fabric.
3. Avoid Excessive Heat
Avoid excessive heat because it can stretch out the material and damage it prematurely. It’s best to keep them away from dryers, irons, and open flames.
4. Discourage Your Dog From Chewing on Them
If your dog does decide to chew on your aerial silks, discourage him or her by distracting with a treat. You can also get some bitter apple sprays that might do the trick in keeping pets away from the silk fabric.
5. Avoid Excessive Folds and Bending
You should avoid excessive folding and bending of your aerial silks because it can weaken it over time, which will shorten its lifespan. It’s best to store them in a dry place with good air circulation or keep them rolled up when you’re done using them so they don’t get damaged.
6. Keep Them Away From Direct Sunlight
It’s best to keep your aerial silks away from direct sunlight because it tends to fade material over time. You should store them in a dry place with good air circulation.
7. Get Rid of Wrinkles Before Each Use
As soon as you’re done washing your aerial silk, put it back on the pole and let it air dry so you can get rid of any wrinkles. If you leave them with wrinkles for too long, they might be harder to remove when you use them later.
8. Keep Away From Chemicals
Avoid using chemicals on your aerial silks because some chemicals can damage the fabric. It’s best to just use soap and water to wash them when they get dirty instead.
9. Avoid Direct Contact With Skin Oils
You should avoid direct contact with skin oils because it can wear down the material over time. Make sure you wipe down your aerial silks before each use so there isn’t any oil on the silk.
10. Avoid Excessive Contact with Perspiration
You should also avoid excessive contact with perspiration because it can damage the material over time, especially if you do this for a long period of time. Make sure you wipe down your aerial silk after each use so there isn’t any sweat on the fabric before putting it away in a dry place.
Tips To Get Rid Of Sweat Stains
There are some tips you can use to remove sweat stains on your aerial silks. You should try these tips before putting them in the wash if they get dirty.
1. Combine Hydrogen Peroxide with Baking Soda together (For White Colour Aerial Silks Only)
Mix one third hydrogen peroxide to two thirds baking soda until you get a paste. Use your fingers to spread it on the area with the stain and let it sit overnight. Wash the area as usual, then use a clean towel to dry it before putting it back on the pole. (Only make a batch for one use only as it is not good to leave a mixed paste in a container)
2. Try Using A Commercial Oxi-Clean Product
You can also try using a commercial oxi-clean product if you don’t have any hydrogen peroxide or baking soda. Just follow the directions on how to use it as directed.
3. Make A Paste From Baking Soda and Dish Soap
Mix one part dish soap with two parts baking soda until you get a paste. Spread this on the area with the stains and let it sit for about 20 minutes before you wash the area as usual.
4. Try Using A Commercial Stain Remover Product
You can also try using a commercial stain remover product if you don’t want to mix baking soda with dish soap or hydrogen peroxide. Just follow the directions on how to use it as directed.
Aerial silk fabric is made of nylon and spandex, which make it lightweight, elastic, and resistant to stretching. They are not waterproof, so it is not recommended for aerial silk to get wet or be exposed to excessive humidity.
You also need to store your aerial silk in a dry place with good air circulation because they can attract dust and mold.