Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
Silk can either be washed by hand or in the washer. If you decide on using the washer, set the machine to the gentle cycle, and place the silk pillowcase in a mesh laundry bag. This will protect it from snags or rough spots in the machine.
Turn silk pillowcases inside out before laundering. Place all silk items in a fine mesh laundry bag to help keep the silk from tearing or pilling. Wash silk in the delicate or gentle cycle in cool water. Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can damage your silk bedding.
DON'T dry a silk pillowcase in direct sunlight or in a heated dryer cycle. If you absolutely must use the dryer, use it on the air/no-heat cycle. DO steam silk bedding if you'd like to eliminate wrinkles.
Yes you can. However, whether your pillowcase is silk or cotton, going to bed with wet hair can attract bacteria. If your silk pillowcase absorbs some of your hair product, you can wash this out as easily as a cotton pillow case in most cases, but keeping in mind that silk is more delicate than cotton.
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.
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.
Whichever washing method you choose, remember that a gentle but effective liquid toxin-free laundry detergent is the best detergent for silk pillowcases (and for your health!) Avoid harsh liquid and powdered detergents, as these products coat and weaken the natural fibers.
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.
Never wash with chlorine bleach. It can damage your clothing's natural fibers. Do not dry in direct sunlight. Exposing your garment to long bursts of sunlight can cause the colors to fade or even damage your silk fabrics.
Rule Number One: use shampoo to wash your silks, not dish liquid, woolite, or laundry detergent. Silks (and wool) are protein fibers, just like your hair, so use shampoo. You don't ever want to use Biz on silks. The enzymes are very bad for these protein fibers.
Pop your item in the washing machine – we recommend placing any silk items inside a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to avoid snags or damage caused by the drum. Select a cool, delicate cycle (do not set the wash temperature to any higher than 30°C).
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.
Wash silk in a washing machine in cold water in a delicate cycle or silk cycle or by hand. Silk should always be laundered separately in a SILK-ONLY LOAD. Turn your silk pillowcases inside out and, if machine washing, place all silk items in fine mesh laundry bagsto protect the delicate fabric from damage.
Once removed from the towel, lay the silk garment out flat on a drying rack without using any clothes pegs. The silk should be dried in the shade, as direct sunlight can cause its colours to fade. Silk tends to dry quite quickly, and you should fine that your garment is dry within around 30-60 minutes.
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.
Myth: Silk Blouses are Dry Clean Only.
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.
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.
Softening Rough Silk After Washing
Gently run an iron over it on the "silk" setting while still slightly damp to soften it up.
Silk pillowcases are just as likely to collect bacteria as cotton pillowcases. We recommend washing your pillowcase regularly in order to avoid bacteria buildup. Some claims purport that amino acids in silk can help reduce wrinkles and prevent breakage in the hair.
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is actually a great idea for anyone with oily hair.
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.
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.