Washing silk bedding correctly can help keep it soft and smooth.
The luxurious feel of silk can make it intimidating to wash when it comes to laundry day.
However, you’ll want to take a few preventative measures to keep your silk pillowcases looking their best.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
Fill a clean washtub or sink with cool water.
Add the correct amount of detergent by reading the label recommendations.
Step 2: Wash pillowcases.
Turn your silk pillowcases inside out and submerge them into the water.
If cleaning multiple items of bedding, only wash with like colors.
Using your hands, gently agitate the water and soap with the silk.
Silk becomes weak when its fibers are wet and shouldn’t be rubbed too much.
Do not let silk soak for more than 30 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse.
Rinse the pillowcases by running cool water until all soap is washed away.
Gently push the water out of your items.
Do not wring them.
Step 4: Air dry.
Air your silk pieces on a drying rack or lay them flat on a surface.
Avoid using hangers with metal clips as this can damage the fabric.
Padded or flocked hangers work best.
How to Wash Silk Pillowcases by Machine
Step 1: Choose the machine setting and temperature.
Look for a silk cycle option on your washer.
If it doesn’t have one, use the delicate cycle, which is the machine equivalent to hand-washing.
The safest way to wash silk by machine uses low or no spin and the shortest cycle.
check that your water temperature is cold and the spin is set to low.
Also, wash with like colors only.
When washing silk pillowcases, place smaller items into mesh laundry bags to prevent tearing.
Step 3: Remove from the washer and dry.
Promptly remove your silk pieces from the washer once the cycle is finished.
Do not let silk soak longer than 30 minutes.
Air out your silk pieces on a drying rack or lay them flat, avoiding hangers with metal clips.
Use your finger or a brush to gently blot the stain with cool water and the stain remover.
Do not rub or pull at stains on silk, as you might damage the fragile material.
Finish by washing the item using one of the methods above.
Don’t forget to wash your pillows every few months.
Pillows can harbor bacteria, dust, dirt, and sweat, which build up over time.
Also, do not line-dry your silk in direct sunlight.
Both options will dull and shrink silk.
These processes apply to silk clothing as well.
