Constructed from polyester, silk or acetate fibers, satin is a durable, lustrous and strong fabric. While it is best to send silk- and acetate-based satin shirts to the dry cleaner, you can launder your favorite washable satin shirts at home. With a few common household products and proper care, you may even be able to get rid of an oil stain without a pricey trip to the cleaners.
Step 1
Read the garment care label for instructions. Typically, polyester-based satin shirts are machine washable. If your silk- or acetate-based satin shirt has a "dry clean only" tag, do not wash it in the washing machine or by hand.
Step 2
Lay the shirt on a white towel on a flat surface. If you have a cooking oil, baby oil, vegetable- or olive oil stain, press the stain with a twice-folded paper towel to lift the oil mark from the shirt.
Step 3
Spray the stain with a pre-treating product. Wait three to four minutes, then cover the stained area with heavy-duty liquid detergent.
Step 4
Wash the shirt in a washing machine on the delicate washing cycle, with the slowest agitation speed, using hot water and heavy-duty detergent. It is best to launder oil-based stains in hot water to lift the grease from the fabric properly. If you do not have a strong detergent, make a paste with powdered detergent and water. Apply the paste to the stain before laundering.
Step 5
Skip the dryer and hang the satin shirt to dry. A hot dryer may weaken synthetic fibers. You may also lay the garment flat on a large white towel to dry.