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.
This means that heavy-duty detergents meant for cotton or synthetic fibers just simply won't do. “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.
*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.
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.
Product Description. Woolite® Delicates laundry detergent is a gentle washing liquid, specially formulated to take care of your delicate garments in the wash.It can be used for machine washing in the gentle cycle, or for hand washing delicate fabrics such as silk and wool.
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.
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.
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!)
Silk reacts to alkaline detergents. These can cause the silk to become rough and even cause the fabric to break down.
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.
Too much or the wrong detergent can make silk rough. Be sure to use a non-alkaline detergent. Adding ¼ cup of vinegar to the first rinse helps to work as a natural fabric softener.
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.
Do's: Use a gentle detergent and gentle agitation when washing silk items. Treat stains by using a mild detergent and gently rubbing with your fingers. Don'ts: Avoid chlorine bleach, direct sunlight, hot water, and vigorous scrubbing. Recommended detergent: ARM & HAMMER™ Clean Burst Liquid Laundry Detergent.
Fill a basin, bucket, or your sink with cool water, then add a small amount of gentle laundry detergent like Woolite Delicates or even baby shampoo. (Silk is protein-based like your hair, and you certainly wouldn't want to wash your hair with a harsh detergent either!)
These detergents are usually dye- and perfume-free and do not contain harsh cleaners. Most mild detergents are bleach-free. The packaging labels will identify if the product is considered a mild detergent.
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!
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.
I often hand wash my silk pillowcase because it is small and easy to dry. Using gentle silk friendly detergent such as Le Blanc Silk and Lingerie Wash or Woolite will help remove residue and stain. But if you don't have any silk friendly detergents, you can also use your hair shampoo.
Description: Neutral liquid detergent is without optical white, perfume and dyes, reducing the risk of allergy and hypersensitivity problems.
Yes. It is nearly neutral PH and has no other harsh chemicals in it. Wash it out thoroughly. Products like Woolite can leave a residue on the fabric and so are a bad choice for silk.