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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
As with any cover, it's important to wash your silk pillowcases once a week to avoid bacteria buildup.
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.
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.
Myth: Silk Blouses are Dry Clean Only.
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. Lightly agitate for three to five minutes, rinse well, and dry flat. Get more tips on How to Wash Silk here.
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.
Avoid using baby soap or shampoo to treat stains. Soap is made from lye and plant fats, ingredients that can damage your silk, leave behind residue, or remove one of silk's best features—its sheen. To prevent permanent damage, before washing silk, always perform a water test and a color bleeding test.
The promise: Woolite Delicates is one of the original products in this category and a household name. It can be used for hand or machine washing in the gentle cycle on fabrics like silk and wool.
Use gentle laundry detergent like Woolite. Only use cold water. Machine wash on the delicate or gentle cycle or hand wash. Use white vinegar instead of fabric softener.
If you frequently sleep with wet hair, we suggest investing in a silk pillowcase. Silk doesn't retain moisture well, thereby allowing your hair to dry faster. More importantly, it's slick and produces less friction when compared with a cotton or flannel pillowcase.
Always consider using a mesh laundry bag when washing silks and delicates. And always opt for the delicate cycle. For machine washing, you should use cool water on the lowest setting possible for delicates. A cold water setting will still get your silk clean without fear of damage or shrinkage.
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.
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.
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.
Your silk should dry in about 45 minutes depending on temperature and conditions. DO iron sparingly, only on the coolest setting with sheets and turn your pillowcases inside out. A light steam will enable the iron to glide smoothly over the fabric.
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. Rinsing can take a bit of time, but adding a few tablespoons of white vinegar to the water is recommended as it neutralizes alkali traces.
Use a pH neutral soap: a detergent designed for delicates, an olive oil soap or even baby shampoo will work well. You can use fabric conditioner, or hair conditioner works well on silk or wool.
Yes. Woolite's formulations are specially produced to not only clean, but are also free of harsh ingredients, like bleach and enzymes, to provide better care against washing related damage than your ordinary detergents!