How to Wash a Silk Pillowcase (So It Stays Smooth for Years)
Silk is tougher than it looks. Washed the right way, a good mulberry silk pillowcase stays smooth and lustrous for years. Washed the wrong way, it can lose its sheen in a month. Here's exactly how to look after it.
How Often to Wash It
Every five to seven days. If you use rich night creams or oil your hair overnight, every three to four days. Oils left in silk can darken it and weaken the fibres, so don't stretch the gap.
Hand Washing (the Gentlest Way)
- Turn the pillowcase inside out.
- Fill a clean basin with cool water, below 30°C.
- Add a small amount of silk or delicates detergent and mix it in.
- Swish the pillowcase gently for three to five minutes. Don't scrub, and don't leave it to soak.
- Rinse in cool, clean water until the water runs clear.
- Don't wring or twist it. Lay it on a clean towel, roll the towel up and press to remove water.
Machine Washing
- Turn the pillowcase inside out and put it in a mesh laundry bag.
- Choose the delicate or silk cycle, cold water and the lowest spin.
- Use a silk or delicates detergent.
- Wash it only with other delicates, never with towels, jeans or anything with zips or hooks.
Drying
Never tumble dry. Hang it or lay it flat indoors, away from direct sunlight, which fades and weakens silk. It dries quickly.
Ironing
Silk usually smooths out as it dries. If you need to iron it, iron it inside out on the silk setting while it's still slightly damp, or press through a thin cotton cloth.
What Ruins Silk
- Hot water. It dulls the sheen and can shrink the fabric.
- Bleach, including oxygen bleach.
- Fabric softener. It coats the fibres and takes away the lustre.
- Enzyme-heavy and "bio" detergents. Enzymes break down protein stains, and silk is a protein.
- Optical brighteners, found in many regular detergents.
- Wringing, scrubbing and sunlight.
Stains
Treat stains early. Dab (don't rub) with cool water and a drop of silk detergent. For makeup or oil, a little mild shampoo on the spot before washing usually lifts it.
Storing It
Store silk clean and completely dry, folded loosely in a breathable cotton bag, away from sunlight. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture.
Shop our mulberry silk pillowcases: grade 6A, 22 momme, silk on both sides. New to silk? Read silk vs satin first.
FAQs
Can I dry clean a silk pillowcase?
Yes, dry cleaning is suitable, though careful home washing is gentler and cheaper over time.
Will my silk pillowcase shrink?
Not if you wash it cool and don't tumble dry. Heat is what shrinks silk.
Can I use regular detergent once in a while?
Best not. Many regular detergents contain enzymes and brighteners that slowly damage silk.