As Glamour explains, silk controls sebum production, the oily secretion we know as grease. This is because its fibres are less absorbent than cotton, so it doesn't suck in the scalp's natural oils. When oils are absorbed, the scalp ends up producing more to replenish itself, giving a build-up of grease.
But what about oily hair? Can sleeping on silk help? The answer is a resounding yes! While it may seem a bit counterintuitive -- after all, silk helps retain moisture -- sleeping on a pure silk pillowcase from Mulberry Park Silks is a great option for people with normal-to-oily hair.
Put your silk pillowcase in the washing machine on a cold or warm delicate cycle. The cycle should not exceed a water temperature above 30C. Use the Silk Delicate Laundry Wash to remove perspiration, body oils, and stains while cleaning and preserving fabrics.
Add your laundry detergent like usual but this time add two cups of white vinegar which will remove any remaining skin and hair oils. Skip any extras like fabric softener beyond this. When it comes time to dry your pillowcases, you'll want to either use the tumble dry feature on your machine or let the fabric air dry.
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.
As with any cover, it's important to wash your silk pillowcases once a week to avoid bacteria buildup.
If you find an oil stain on your silk garment, you may want to take an additional step by applying talcum powder to the soiled area and allow it to sit overnight. The talcum powder will help to lift the stain, after which you can wash the garment as directed on the care label.
Pre-soak with a Clorox® Regular Bleach2 soaking solution. Add ¼ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water and fully submerge the pillowcases for 5 minutes. Drain the soaking solution and then wash the pillowcases in hot water using detergent + ¾ cup Clorox® Regular Bleach2.
If it's still there after two tries, a dry cleaner will be able to help out. Just be sure to let them know how you've treated the stain so far. I know, I know: It sounds too easy. But this really works, and it won't damage your silk lingerie at all.
Silk pillowcases are beneficial for greasy hair as well as for wrinkles and fine lines. Ordinary cotton pillowcases absorb your skin's oil and cause it to accumulate in the fibers. This is why it's possible that your hair gets greasy than usual overnight.
Hair and skin help – When choosing between a satin vs silk pillowcase for skin and hair, you win either way, as satin also has the benefit of low friction. It also shares silk's breathability and hypoallergenic nature.
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.
So when you see a delicate or 'dry clean only' garment made with wool, silk, cotton or cashmere, you can wash them at home so long as you perform a test on the garment first to ensure there's no color bleeding, shrinkage, warping, or other naughty garment behaviour.
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.
Similarly, silk can be handwashed, but doing so may change the lustre and drape of the fabric. If you have a silk garment made from particularly delicate silk, like chiffon or georgette, it's best to take it to a dry-cleaner as these fabrics are more likely to be affected by water.
Sweat, drool, wet hair, and even skincare products can contribute to yellow stains on a pillow. And these stains are more than just unsightly. After a while, they can harbor bacteria and allergens, potentially affecting the quality of your sleep and your health.
The overproduction of sebum can cause scalp buildup. If left untreated, it can lead to symptoms and complications. Home remedies like regular hair washing, exfoliating, and avoiding harsh chemicals are key to preventing scalp buildup. If you have scalp buildup that won't go away, see your healthcare provider.
Steps to Remove the Oil Stain:
Lay the silk item on a flat surface. Cover the stain with a thick layer of an absorbent powder, such as baking soda, cornstarch or salt. Leave the powder on the stain for several hours. The powder will absorb the oil.
Baking Soda
This is the most popular home remedy for removing excess grease from the hair. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda and water and massage the paste for 5 to 10 minutes onto your scalp and hair. Wash it off with warm water.
Harth notes If you have oily hair or struggle with dandruff, you can use four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Massage the mixture into the scalp and leave it in for up to five minutes. It shouldn't burn if properly diluted, but if it does, rinse it out immediately.
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.
How to Machine-Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets: Place in the washer with other silk items in similar colors. Turn silk pillowcases inside-out and place them in a mesh bag to prevent pulls in the fabric. Run the machine on a delicate cycle, with cold water, and use mild detergent according to package instructions.
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. Do not tumble dry. Silk is very delicate and the high temperatures of the tumble dryer can shrink or damage your silks.