Silk is one of those fabrics that just feels so special, but it can be a little intimidating to care for. In fact, most silk pieces can actually be washed at home if you know what to do. Let’s check out how to wash silk, remove stains, and store it so it stays looking gorgeous.
1. What to Check First Before You Wash Silk
Before you wash silk garments, there are a few things you’ll want to check to keep it from shrinking, bleeding, or getting damaged.
- First things first: check the care label. If it says you can machine wash or hand wash, you’re good to go at home – just follow those instructions. If it says “Dry Clean Only,” you’d better take it to a pro, especially if it’s got any fancy details or special dyes.
- If your silk is new or super bright, do a quick color test first. Just mix a little gentle detergent with cool water, dab it on a hidden spot inside, and blot with a white cloth. If no dye transfers, the garment is generally safe to wash.
- Keep your silk away from anything rough like jeans, towels, or clothes with zippers that could snag it. Separate your light and dark silks too, just to be safe. Taking a minute to sort everything really helps your silk last longer and look its best.
2. How to Wash Silk by Hand
Hand washing is the safest method for cleaning most silk garments because it minimizes stress on the delicate natural fibers. It’s much gentler than machine washing and lets you control everything from the water temperature to how you handle the fabric.
Prepare the Wash Water
Fill up a clean sink or basin with cool or lukewarm water. Skip the hot water – heat can mess up silk by making it shrink or lose its shine. Add just a little bit of gentle, pH-neutral detergent (the kind made for silk or delicates is best). Swirl it around so it’s mixed in before you add your silk.
If your silk is new or has bright colors, do a quick color test first. Dab a little diluted detergent on a hidden seam and press with a white cloth to see if any color comes off.
Wash Silk Gently
How to wash silk the right way: Put your silk all the way in the water and gently move it around for just a couple of minutes. That’s all it takes to remove dirt and oils without soaking the fabric too much.
Don’t rub or scrub any spots, and definitely don’t twist the fabric. Silk is extra delicate when it’s wet, so too much friction can mess up the weave or make it lose its shine.
Rinse Without Damaging the Fabric
Pour out the soapy water and fill your sink with fresh, cool water. Swish your silk around gently to rinse out all the soap. If the water isn’t clear yet, just repeat with new water until it is.
Be careful not to pull or stretch your silk while rinsing. Wet silk can lose its shape pretty easily.
Remove Excess Water
Don’t wring or twist your silk to get the water out. Lay it flat on a clean white towel, roll it up, and gently press to soak up the extra moisture. Then unroll and either lay your silk flat to dry or hang it on a padded hanger somewhere shady and breezy.
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Using hot water.
- Washing with bleach, enzyme cleaners, or harsh detergents.
- Scrubbing, twisting, wringing, or stretching wet silk.
- Drying silk in direct sunlight, near heaters, or in a tumble dryer.
- Applying aggressive stain removers or rubbing one spot excessively, which can cause uneven discoloration.
>>> Read more: How to Wash a Wool Sweater Without Ruining It
3. How to Machine Wash Silk Correctly
Hand washing is usually the safest bet for silk, but sometimes you just want to toss things in the machine and be done.
Before you do, always check the care label. If it says ‘Machine Washable’ or provides machine-washing instructions, you’re good to go. But if it says ‘Dry Clean Only,’ especially if your piece has any structure, embellishments, or special dyes, skip the machine and play it safe.
How to wash silk garments using machine washing correctly:
- Before placing your silk in the washing machine, make sure to button or hook everything and flip it inside out. Place it inside a mesh laundry bag to protect the fabric from rubbing against the drum or other clothing.
- Choose the delicate, gentle, or hand-wash cycle with the shortest available wash time. Set the water temperature to cool or cold.
- Use a gentle detergent made for silk, wool, or delicates. Skip the bleach, fabric softener, or anything too harsh.
- As soon as the wash is done, take your silk out right away. Don’t let it sit in the machine all soggy.
- Lay it flat on a clean towel to soak up extra water, then let it air dry on a flat rack or padded hanger. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heat so it doesn’t get damaged.
4. How to Remove Stains from Silk
The key is to treat silk stains as soon as possible.
- Grab a clean white cloth or paper towel and gently blot the spot right away. Press lightly to soak up as much as you can, but don’t rub or scrub as this just pushes the stain in deeper.
- Mix a few drops of mild detergent formulated for silk or delicate fabrics with cool water, then dampen a soft cloth. Dab the stain gently, starting from the outside and working in so you don’t accidentally spread it around.
- If the stain is being stubborn, try mixing a little white vinegar or lemon juice with cool water (just a tiny bit goes a long way). Dab it on with a clean cloth and keep blotting gently. Don’t soak the fabric or let the solution sit too long. Less is more here.
- Once the stain is gone, rinse the spot with cool water to get rid of any leftover soap. Gently press the fabric between a clean towel to soak up extra water, then let it air dry somewhere out of the sun and away from heat.
- If you’re dealing with oil or grease, sprinkle some cornstarch or talcum powder right on the spot and let it sit for a few hours to soak up the oil. Brush the powder off gently, then clean the area with your mild detergent mix. If the stain is still there, just repeat the process instead of reaching for a harsh stain remover.
5. How to Dry Silk Without Damage
Drying silk correctly is critical for preserving its softness, natural sheen, and shape.
- Air dry naturally: Lay the silk flat on a clean towel, then gently press or roll it up to soak up the extra water. After that, just lay your silk piece out flat on a drying rack or another dry towel so air can get all around it. If you want it to dry evenly, flip it over about halfway through.
- Keep away from direct sunlight: Make sure to dry your silk indoors or somewhere shady with good airflow. Sunlight can fade your colors, turn light silks yellow, and just isn’t great for the fabric. Same goes for heaters or radiators.
- Never use a tumble dryer: The heat and all that spinning can shrink silk, mess up the shape, and make it lose that soft feel we all love. Same goes for hair dryers or anything super hot – just let your silk air dry instead.
Silk usually takes anywhere from a few hours to a full day to dry, depending on how thick your piece is and how much water you got out with the towel.
Lighter silks dry faster, of course. If you press out as much water as you can and dry it in a spot with good airflow, you’ll help it dry quicker and keep it in great shape.
>>> Read more: How to Fix Leaking Shower Head (DIY Guide to Stop the Drip)
6. Ironing and Storing Silk Properly
How to iron silk safely:
- Always set your iron to the lowest heat or the silk setting if it has one.
- Silk is way easier to iron when it’s just a little bit damp, so don’t wait until it’s bone dry.
- Turn your piece inside out and use a clean, thin cotton cloth as a barrier between the iron and your silk. This helps keep your fabric safe from heat damage or those weird shiny spots.
- Keep the iron moving the whole time, and skip spraying water right onto the silk since that can leave spots.
How to store silk correctly:
- When it comes to storing silk, keep your pieces in a cool, dry spot and out of direct sunlight.
- Use cotton or other natural-fiber garment bags instead of plastic ones, since plastic can trap moisture and cause your silk to yellow or get musty over time.
- For delicate silk pieces, hang dresses, blouses, and shirts on padded hangers, so they keep their shape.
- If you have heavier silk items, fold them up with some acid-free tissue paper if you have it.
- Try not to cram too much into your closet. This gives your silk a little space helps prevent creasing and keeps everything looking nice.
7. FAQs
Can silk be washed at home?
Yes, many silk items can be washed at home if the care label allows it. Some washable silk garments can also be machine washed on the delicate cycle.
How do you wash silk sheets?
Wash silk sheets in cool water using a detergent formulated for silk or delicate fabrics. Hand washing is ideal, but machine-washable silk sheets can be cleaned on the delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag.
How do you wash a silk pillowcase?
Turn the silk pillowcase inside out before washing. Use cool water and a gentle silk detergent, either by hand or on the washing machine’s delicate cycle inside a mesh laundry bag. After washing, gently press out excess water with a towel and air-dry flat or on a drying rack away from heat and direct sunlight.
How do you wash a silk bonnet?
Wash a silk bonnet by hand in cool water with a small amount of mild silk detergent. Gently swirl it for a few minutes without rubbing or twisting the fabric.
Is it okay to get silk wet?
Yes. Silk can safely get wet, but wet fibers are more delicate than dry ones.
Will silk shrink if washed?
Silk can shrink if it is washed incorrectly, particularly in hot water or exposed to high heat during drying. Following the care label is the best way to prevent unwanted shrinkage.
How often should you wash silk?
Wash silk after every few wears, depending on how often the garment is used and whether it has been exposed to sweat, body oils, or stains. Avoid overwashing, as frequent washing can gradually reduce the fabric’s lifespan.
Conclusion
You don’t need an expensive dry-cleaning routine to keep your silk looking its best, either. By following a few simple care habits, you can safely clean many silk garments at home while preserving their softness, shine, and shape. The key is to treat silk gently at every step.
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