A silk pillowcase should be washed regularly and changed as often as you change your bedsheets. 'Typically we clean pillowcases and sheets together on a weekly or twice weekly schedule,' says Wayne Edelman. If you can, you should swap out your pillowcases for fresh once every few days.
What is the life of a silk pillowcase? We have tested the durability and we guarantee that when taken care of, our pillowcases and sleeping masks will serve you for good nine to twelve months. Maybe longer, if you follow the wash care instructions properly.
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 is too delicate
And while you should take care to protect your silk from snags and tears (for example, by using a mesh laundry bag when washing as we recommend above), good high quality silk sheets and silk pillowcases should last as long as their cotton counterparts.
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.
Silk pillowcases should be washed weekly to prevent bacterial growth. Though they're are machine-washable, hand washing is safest to avoid pilling over time. Never put silk bedding in a dryer or iron them, which can warp and shrimk the delicate material.
Silk is naturally anti-microbial and doesn't harbor bacteria like cotton does. See the difference in a week.. Cotton soaks everything up. Silk doesn't act like a sponge with oils, lotions, creams so rest assured your evening skincare routine actually stays ON throughout the night.
Are silk pillowcases worth it? Yes! Not only do they feel great to sleep on, silk pillowcase benefits also include smoother hair and smoother skin.
The Best Products for Washing Silk Sheets and Pillowcases
Investing in a few helpful products can make caring for your silk bedding much easier. Fine Fabric Wash: Luxury Silk, Wool and Cashmere Detergent from Heritage Park Laundry Essentials is the ultimate laundry detergent for fine textiles such as silk and wool.
No, you cannot put silk in the dryer. The dryer uses high levels of heat, as well as a tumble dry action that spins and tosses clothes during the drying cycle. Silk is a delicate fabric and putting silk in the dryer will lead to shrinkage, pulls, tears, and damaged silk fibers.
Which one you choose comes down to a few factors, like price and preference. "I like satin more because it's less expensive than silk, but it's also smoother than silk, reducing the friction between the hair strands and the pillowcase," says Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, Trichologist, Ph. D.
Most silk pillowcases on the market range between 19 - 22 momme, but those that are made from 25 momme silk, are superior in quality and durability. Beware of any silk pillowcases where the momme isn't even specified… there's a reason why it's not stated, so stay clear away from these!
Bottom line, yes: Silk pillowcases can improve skin and hair hydration, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and result in smoother, frizz-free hair every morning. Just don't expect magical results. "Be wary of unrealistic claims," says Sachs.
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.
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.
You'll discover that pure silk is actually quite simple to care for, and requires only a bit of extra attention. You should wash your new sheets before using. 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.
Wash the Pillowcase
For pillowcases that are especially delicate, you may want to stop the machine before the spin cycle, which can cause creases and wrinkles. If washing by hand, go for a gentle touch with no twisting or wringing. Silk fabric is strong when it's dry, but much weaker when fibers are wet.
Silk pillowcases can quickly become stained over time with sweat, makeup, or accidental spills. Whether you're washing by hand, or by machine, you should first pre-treat any marks, for the best results. Treat any stains using a neutral detergent solution, like Methods eco-friendly detergent from Amazon.
As it can be time consuming and expensive to get your silk pillowcase dry cleaned frequently, consider taking it to the dry cleaners just once or twice a year to revive the silk fibres. You can hand wash or machine wash your silk pillowcase at home and use vinegar baths to restore some shine inbetween dry cleans.
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.
A question we get asked often, is “how do I restore my silk pillowcase's shine?” - as over time and after washing, you may find that your silk pillowcase becomes dull and loses its brilliance. To restore some of the shine and softness that's been lost, you can give your silk pillowcase a mild white vinegar bath.
Softening Rough Silk After Washing
Gently run an iron over it on the "silk" setting while still slightly damp to soften it up.