community of dyers

It is a good idea, after dyeing or discharging silk , to restore the pH of the fabric, after you are completely done, if you have used soda ash or anything else that might increase the pH. Silk can tolerate a much higher pH than wool can, but it's still a good idea to restore a balanced or slightly acidic pH. The silk will feel nicer and will be less prone to damage. It's similar to using a pH-balanced shampoo or conditioner on your hair, instead of high-pH soap which will make it tangle and lose its shine. I wrote a blog entry about restoring the pH of wool last month,
After dyeing my wool fibres have lost their silky feel. How do I regain their silky softness?, including the following paragraph:

"To correct the pH of the wool, rinse it in water to which you have added vinegar. Use four tablespoons (one-quarter cup) of vinegar per gallon of water, or 60 milliliters per four liters of water. It's best to use ordinary distilled white vinegar, labeled 5% acidity, but any vinegar will work. Always be sure to neutralize your wool or silk after exposing it to soap or other high-pH chemicals."

Use exactly the same method for silk as for wool.

-Paula