If your silk looks absolutely dull, you may have used too much detergent which has left a coating. (Of course, double-check to make sure your pillowcase isn't inside out!). A touch up with a cool-warm iron will help restore the sheen and bring your silk back to life.
Use a Vinegar-Water Rinse
Add 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar to the rinse water. It'll help the garment keep (or regain) its luster. Rinse thoroughly, Be gentle—silk fibers are weaker when wet—and do not wring the fabric.
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 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.
Some silk items may lose color or get damaged in the machine. Don't wash silk and delicate fabric with heavy pieces of clothing like jeans. Using a delicates wash bag will protect your silks from any abrasive damage.
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.
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.
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.
Silk can loose its shine when the fibre roughens up. This is caused when washed too hot, with the wrong detergent or when overexposed to UV light, deodorant or perfume. A hint of vinegar at the end of a washing cycle (or in the fabric softener compartment) may help to get its lost shine back.
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.
The lustre is usually because of the combination of threads which gives a particular sheen to the material. The colour on the surface appears to change as the angle of the light changes. Artificial silks, however, gives a white sheen no matter what the angle of light falling on it.] Look at the Weave.
Silk is defined by its luster, which softly catches and reflects light. Synthetic fabric cannot replicate that look. Indeed, synthetic silk tends to look shiny, as opposed to lustrous. Genuine silk is always lustrous, never shiny.
Fiber structure
The rounded edges and triangular cross section of the silk fiber contribute to its luster properties; in some cases, synthetic fibres mimic this trilobal shape for a silk-like appearance.
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.
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.
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.
Because it's so delicate, silk is more prone to stains—including the stains caused by the natural build-up from your sweat and hair oils, which can leave your pillowcase looking a little yellow.
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.
You used the wrong drying method
Drying silk on high heat or in direct sunlight can cause the fibers to become stiff and lose their softness. It is best to air-dry silk by laying it flat on a clean, dry surface or hanging it up in a well-ventilated area.
Sun and Water Damage. Silk is highly susceptible to damage from the elements. Even a tiny bit of water can leave a visible stain that's impossible to get rid of. And sunlight weakens the fibers of silk, resulting in tearing and fading.