Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) can damage silk significantly. It is best to wash all silk products in cold water. Don't use bleach, which will harm the fabric and cause it to yellow, or fabric softener which can leave residue on the fabric.
But in reality, silk pillowcases, like other silk items, can usually be washed at home. Unless the item's care label carries a "dry clean only" warning, it can be successfully washed at home if you use cold water, a gentle detergent made for delicate fabrics, and if you avoid using heat to dry the items.
The first thing you need to know about how to dry silk pillowcases is that you should never put them in the dryer. The high heat of a dryer — even on a low setting — will destroy the silk's fiber.
Don't put silk items in the dryer. Heat can damage delicate silk fibers. If the dryer is absolutely necessary to use only 'air' setting for 15 minutes or less with NO fabric sheets or dryer balls. Remove sheets before completely dry.
Do not tumble dry. Silk is very delicate and the high temperatures of the tumble dryer can shrink or damage your silks. Use a detergent for delicates.
Hand wash silk clothes in cold water
Fill a clean sink or small tub with lukewarm water and a small amount of delicate-friendly liquid detergent. Lightly agitate for three to five minutes and rinse well. If the care label advises machine washing, choose a gentle, cold-water cycle.
Yes, silk will shrink in hot water.
Hot water will damage the silk fibers and take the bright sheen off the outer layer of the silk. Silk clothing should only be washed in lukewarm temperature water, never anything hotter.
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.
Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius) can damage silk significantly. It is best to wash all silk products in cold water. DON'T use bleach, which will harm the fabric and cause it to yellow. DON'T use fabric softener.
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.
Silk is delicate when wet
The strength of wet silk is only 80% that of its dry strength, which means that its fibers can break more easily and stretch out of shape when wet. That's why you need to be careful when washing, wringing and drying silk.
Too much rubbing or agitation of the fibres in the wash will cause damage. Do take silk that is not colour-fast to a dry cleaning professional. Do wash silk in cool water. Hot water will damage and shrink the natural fibres.
Washing on the wrong cycle.
Hot water can also damage silk. Do this instead: Wash silk on a silk or delicate cycle and cool water. Here are some guidelines for washing silk sheets; you can machine wash in cool to lukewarm water.
It is easily stained, even when splashed with plain water, and those stains can be tricky to get out. Improper or overly aggressive stain removal can cause permanent damage, so it's important to treat a water stain on silk with care.
Never wring out your silk items or toss them in the dryer, says Whitehurst. To remove excess water, place the wet garment on a white cotton towel. Fold the towel over and gently blot. Then, using a padded hanger, hang the blouse or dress over the bathtub to drip dry.
To restore some of the shine and softness that's been lost, you can give your silk pieces a mild white vinegar bath. White vinegar helps to remove any residual soap in the fibres, and also restores lustre and softness to silk.
Truth: As long as the label doesn't specifically say “dry clean only,” hand washing is safe for silks. The right way: Fill a clean sink with lukewarm or cold water and a small amount of delicates-friendly liquid detergent, like Tide Free & Gentle Liquid.
Silk cannot be tumble dried - True
This one's true - we would never recommend tumble drying silk, because heat can cause silk shrinkage. If you tumble dry your silk pillowcase, you could well find out later on that it will no longer fit over your pillow.
Activewear, loosely woven garments, silk, and items embellished with beads or embroidery are best dried on the delicate or gentle cycle. The low heat helps keep your clothes safe during the drying process, as these garments are prone to melting or stretching under high heat.
Machine Washing
In this case, always use the "Delicate" cycle and the quickest spin cycle offered. Do not use a detergent with brighteners or bleach, instead use a mild soap, like Woolite. The silk item may also be placed in a mesh bag for extra protection.