Why Does New Silk Fabric Have a Sour Smell?

                                 Why Does New Silk Fabric Have a Sour Smell? Is It Harmful?

• Sometimes, when you first open the packaging of new silk fabric or silk garments, you may notice a slight sour odor. Customers often worry if this is due to non-eco-friendly dyes or other chemical agents. The reality is that silk dyes have been upgraded to meet the OEKO-TEX standards. Since 2017, China has implemented stringent environmental regulations for all dyeing factories, requiring equipment upgrades or shutting down non-compliant factories.
• So, there's no need to worry about the eco-friendliness of silk dyes. Silk fabrics are generally dyed with weak acid dyes, which produce vibrant and rich colors. These dyes require a weak acidic solution during the dyeing process.
• After dyeing, silk fabrics undergo several post-dyeing treatments, including fixation, softening, washing, drying, and setting. The purpose of washing is to remove any excess dye and residual agents from the fabric, as well as the acidic dye solution. Despite thorough washing, some minimal acidic residue may remain, resulting in a faint sour smell when the fabric is first unpacked. This residual acidity is not harmful to the human body.
• To eliminate the smell, simply open the fabric and place it in a cool, ventilated area for 2-3 days, allowing the odor to dissipate naturally.
• For new silk garments or other textile products, we always recommend washing them before use.