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 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!)
*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.
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.
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.
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.
Silk reacts to alkaline detergents. These can cause the silk to become rough and even cause the fabric to break down.
Pop your item in the washing machine – we recommend placing any silk items inside a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to avoid snags or damage caused by the drum. Select a cool, delicate cycle (do not set the wash temperature to any higher than 30°C).
All Woolite® products are liquid detergents and are specially formulated for the machine to not cause shrinking, stretching, or fading on washable suede, linen, cotton, washable wool, silk, rayon, polyester, cotton/polyester, nylon, nylon/spandex and rayon/spandex.
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.
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.
The Shining Silks expert care wash is a liquid detergent carefully crafted to take care of your silks, chiffons, georgettes and crepes. The pH balanced formula which is designed to be gentle on silk and retains the shine of the silk.
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.
Silk is a delicate fabric, and you'll want to make sure it stays beautiful even after you've cleaned it. Washing it at too high a heat can cause it to shrink and damage it. It may be worth getting your silk garment professionally dry cleaned to avoid damage if it's particularly precious to you.
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.
Hand Wash Silk Items (Recommended)
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!)
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.
Don't scrub or soak the material for too long as it is sensitive. To help your silks regain their lustre, in lukewarm or room temperature water, add some distilled vinegar and mix well. Soak the silk pieces in this water and for a maximum of 10 minutes and then remove from vinegar water.
Don't forget that silk loses much of its strength when it's wet and wringing it out will damage it. Lay out each wet piece on a clean, dry towel and roll it up. The excess water will soak into the towel. To finish drying, lay the garment flat.
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.
Use a delicate detergent such as Ecover Delicate Laundry Liquid. A mesh bag will protect your silk from any possible snagging in the machine. Avoid the fabric conditioner/softener! It is not necessary for silk.
Whitehurst recommends using a mild shampoo, like Ivory, or gentle detergent, like Woolite. Place the garment in the water, give it a stir, and let it sit for just a few minutes. "Silk releases dirt quickly, so the process doesn't take long," he says. Next, drain the soapy mix and rinse with cool, running water.
Make a gentle silk stain remover out of a couple of tablespoons of either white vinegar or lemon juice, mixed with a couple of tablespoons of lukewarm water. Test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the silk first, before dabbing the stain with it using a clean, white cloth. Do not rub the stain.