Should I wash stained tassels?

[BigJ]

Hi there, I am a new collector of Japanese swords, recently purchased a couple of tassels and my gunto look much nicer with them attached. The tassels however have stains over the year, should I wash them or should I leave them untouched? Thanks for your opinions

[PNSSHOGUN]

Absolutely not, they will very likely disintegrate or have the dyes run/discolour. They are made of silk and any care or maintenance should follow silk care guides. 

[Mark S.]

You might want to seek out a dry cleaner who specializes or understands silk cleaning for their advice.

[BigJ]

Thank you all for the advice. I was thinking soak them in the warm mild soap water, and gentlely cleam them. Now I think better keep them as they are.

[Paul G]

I would sell them if they bother you and get ones that are "clean: in their original state. It should not be hard to sell. To me, I think the tassel looks better when it matches the ito. Clean ito, clean tassel. stained ito, stained tassel. Its a more natural look and there is a market for tassles with all types of wear.

 

PG-