Add a few drops of a mild detergent; the ones you'd use when machine washing will work here. If you're traveling or don't have a gentle detergent, you can safely wash silk with shampoo.
Cool water will help the fabric retain its color. Add a few drops of mild liquid Laundry Detergent. Turn your silk pillowcase inside out to further protect the fabric, then place it in the water. Use your hand to gently agitate the water.
*For best results, use a little less than two teaspoons (9.5 mL) of Dawn® Platinum in a top-loading washing machine—be sure not to use too much, and don't use on delicate fabrics like silk. Spot test with a small drop in a less visible area to make sure the material will not be damaged.
If you're still dubious, you can always hand-wash your silk, using lukewarm water and a mild detergent. A good alternative is a non alkaline soap or even baby shampoo! Do not soak. Wash your silk gently through the soapy water for a just a few minutes.
Use a detergent for delicates. Studio by Tide Delicates Liquid Laundry Detergent has been specifically designed to take care of silk. Check for colorfastness. Some silk garments may bleed in the wash, so test a damp area by dabbing with a wet, white cloth to see if any color leaks onto it.
Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent is the best detergent for silk! Not only does this formula protect fabric fibers from damage due to over-washing, but it also contains no harsh ingredients that could cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
The detergent you use must not have protease, enzymes, alcohol, bleach, or any alkalines in it: these will dissolve silk and any other protein-based natural fabric, such as wool. So when clothing directions say to use a gentle detergent, they mean a detergent without those ingredients.
Whitehurst recommends using a mild shampoo, like Ivory, or gentle detergent, like Woolite. Place the garment in the water, give it a stir, and let it sit for just a few minutes.
Detergent can stiffen silk
Even if you are hand washing your silks are per the instructions, if you are using a detergent, they can become stiff. Using a castile soap like Dr Bronner's instead can help a lot. Even after air drying, though, your silk may still be a bit stiff.
Using too much detergent can leave residue on the fibers, making them feel rough and stiff. This is because detergents can strip the natural oils from the silk, which help to keep the fibers soft and smooth. To avoid this, use a gentle detergent and follow the recommended amount for the size of your load.
As with any cover, it's important to wash your silk pillowcases once a week to avoid bacteria buildup.
Gently handwash silk items using very cold water. Apply a very mild detergent (this soap will help preserve the garment's natural oils). Rinse the item in cold water until all soap residue has been removed. Add a few drops of hair conditioner to the rinse water to keep the silk soft and flexible.
For the final rinse, use fabric conditioner to keep your silk garment smooth and supple. An insider tip? Hair conditioner will work just as nicely.
“To increase the longevity of your silk garments, we recommend handwashing them in cold water with a quarter teaspoon of gentle organic detergent and fabric softener for no more than five minutes,” offers Kes. There is also a number of cleaning products specially made for washing silk at home (see below).
So, whether you wash your silk by hand or in the washing machine, always wash it with specially formulated silk-friendly detergent. It will be pH-neutral and creamy but without overly heavy fabric softeners. We've had particularly good results with The Laundress Delicate Wash, available on Amazon.
Lastly, we suggest using a mild detergent specially formulated to wash silk. And not all "silk detergents" are created equal. In fact, some products marketed to wash silk can actually damage your fine silk. In this blog, we'll help you sort through several popular silk detergents.
Silk is not inherently 'unwashable'. But there are some issues that you have to be aware of. Most silks are labeled dry clean only because of these issues. Many ( not all, but many) silks run very, very badly if they get wet.
Can your detergent pods be used on natural fibers like wool, silk, and cashmere? We recommend using our gentle enzyme-free Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent pods. These products are formulated specifically for maintaining the softness and longevity of natural fibers like wool, cotton, cashmere, and silk.
If you have oily hair, a silk pillowcase may not be the best choice, since a cotton pillowcase will absorb oil better, according to Aguirre. Silk pillowcases will be more beneficial if you have dry hair, or are experiencing breakage.
Hand Washing Silk
White vinegar will not cause any color changes when used on silk. You can also try one of the unscented vinegar laundry detergents on the market. Let the silk item soak for a few minutes in cool water and gently wash.. Rinse it in cold water and press the excess water out of it before hanging to dry.
All Woolite® products are liquid detergents and are specially formulated for the machine to not cause shrinking, stretching, or fading on washable suede, linen, cotton, washable wool, silk, rayon, polyester, cotton/polyester, nylon, nylon/spandex and rayon/spandex.
If you find that the sheen of your silk clothing has lost its luster or shimmer and appears to have a white film or looks dull, the silk fibers may have become damaged due to improper cleaning or exposure to too much light or heat.