8 questions form customers about washing and caring for a silk pillowcase.
A silk pillowcase is not only a luxurious accessory in the bedroom, it is also an investment in the quality of your skin, hair and sleep, and at the same time performs the simplest function of bed linen. However, for this investment to pay off in the long term, it is important to know how to wash and care for silk correctly. Good and regular care will ensure that the pillowcase will retain its softness, shine and durability for years.
We, working with silk on a daily basis, have tested various care methods and here we have compiled practical tips that really work.
1. Can cosmetics, such as foundation and powder, be cleaned from silk?
Experience shows that it can and cosmetics are cleaned very quickly. Of course, modern cosmetic products are different and it may happen that detergents intended for silk may not cope with the task.
A suggestion for washing when there is makeup on silk: prepare water with detergent, thoroughly soak the silk product and leave it for about 15-20 minutes. Then continue washing as indicated in question 2 of this post.
2. How to handwash silk pillowcases?
- The sink or bowl must be clean. Prepare lukewarm water with laundry detergent added. We recommend using a detergent intended for silk/wool, but if it is not at hand, you can use your usual one.
- In case of stubborn stains, I recommend soaking the pillowcase for 15-20 minutes. However, you can skip soaking it for regular, weekly washing.
- Soak the pillowcase in water. Press gently for a few minutes, in different directions. Avoid rubbing, as this can fluff the surface of the fabric or stretch the fabric structure itself.
- After washing with detergent, rinse the pillowcase in clean water until no more foam appears. This means that the detergent has been completely rinsed out.
- Squeeze the excess water from the pillowcase in your hands. You can squeeze, but do not wring. Wringing can stretch the fabric, so wringing is not recommended.
- Spread the silk pillowcase on a clean towel and arrange it so that there are no unnecessary wrinkles.
- Roll up the towel and squeeze so that the towel absorbs excess water from the pillowcase.
- Unroll it and the silk pillowcase will have become noticeably drier.
- Now you can put it on the dryer to dry, but avoid direct sunlight. Do not dry in a tumble dryer.
3. Can a silk pillowcase be washed in a washing machine?
The short answer is yes, but with care. Silk is a delicate fabric, so it requires special care. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the best assistant is the washing machine, and we definitely want it to be able to take care of our clothes.
When washing pillowcases in the washing machine, remember the most important thing:
- Choose the delicate mode (30°C) or the “silk/wool” program, wash repeatedly if necessary, but do not leave it in the water for a long time.
- Wash the pillowcase separately or together with other light fabrics of similar colors, not with towels or jeans.
- Recommendation: Use a laundry bag - this will protect the silk from rubbing against other fabrics. If you don’t have one, that’s okay
✨ WE RECOMMEND: if you want to be completely safe, it’s better to wash silk by hand.
Don’t worry, washing itself will not harm your silk product. Therefore, you can wash it several times a week if necessary. Regular washing will prevent stains from setting into the fabric and they will be easier to remove.
If you are not sure about caring for silk, you can take it to a dry cleaner.
4. What detergent should you choose?
Regular powders or aggressive liquid detergents can damage silk fibers. Therefore:
- Use a special detergent for silk or a gentle, pH-neutral detergent.
- Avoid bleaches and stain removers - they can leave stains.
- Fabric softener is not necessary, but you can use vinegar for softness and essential oil scent (the scent you like), which is added to the fabric softener compartment.
✨ WE RECOMMEND: choose a detergent designed for silk or wool - this will ensure softness and maintain the shine of the fabric. Our recommended detergents are Tenestar (Silk) - specially formulated to preserve the structure of silk or Sonett liquid laundry detergent for silk and wool.
5. How to dry a silk pillowcase?
Proper drying is just as important as washing. In recent years, tumble dryers have become increasingly available to every household, but silk is a delicate fabric and cannot be put in a tumble dryer.
Therefore, here are some tips for drying:
- If the pillowcase is very damp and wet, spread it on a towel, smooth out the wrinkles, roll up the towel and squeeze it out. This will absorb the excess water.
- Do not place the pillowcase directly on radiators or hot surfaces, instead hang it on a clothesline/line and let it dry naturally.
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Avoid direct sunlight - it can fade the fabric. It is best to place it in a warm and shady place.
✨ WE RECOMMEND: do not wring out silk when drying - it is better to gently squeeze out excess moisture with a towel. Wringing can damage the structure of the fabric and it will no longer be possible to restore it.
To avoid unnecessary wrinkles that form during drying, you can iron your pillowcase when it is slightly damp. And after ironing, allow it to dry completely.
6. Can silk be ironed?
Yes, but carefully. You can iron both slightly damp and completely dry silk fabric. There is a difference if you have a regular iron, a steam ironing device or an ironing system at home.
When using a regular iron, it is recommended to use the silk mode, but not to use the steam function, as it can leave water stains, throw out limescale and other dirt. Of course, if you are confident of the capabilities of your iron and the above will not happen, then you can use it.
Steam devices and systems already include the fact that their essence is steam and these devices are specifically designed for steam. Steam can iron out the largest wrinkles if the silk has been wrinkled. Therefore, if your silk product has been wrinkled a lot, you can use a steam device to straighten the wrinkles, but for complete ironing, the iron function will be required. Most ironing systems have one iron heat setting that is suitable for silk – steam smooths out large creases and also irons completely.
✨ WE RECOMMEND: When ironing a silk pillowcase for the first time, try doing it on the fold of the pillowcase and, if everything works out, you can continue ironing on the entire surface. If you don’t like ironing, just hang and straighten the pillowcase – this will help the silk dry evenly without forming large wrinkles.
7. How to store a silk pillowcase?
Silk is an excellent fabric. It is hypoallergenic, so if kept in a dry place for a long time, it does not form mold, and retains its structure very well. Considering that silk wrinkles well, it is recommended to fold it neatly and store it folded so that large wrinkles do not form.
To keep it in perfect condition:
- Store in a dry, cool place.
- Do not expose to direct sunlight. If kept in sunlight for a long time, it may fade. Especially strong and dark colored fabrics may lose their color. Therefore, it is best to store it in a closet.
- If you do not plan to use it for a long time – put it in a cotton bag or box to protect it from dust.
8. How often should you wash a silk pillowcase?
Like regular cotton pillowcases, silk pillowcases should be cleaned regularly. Regular washing makes it easier to get rid of dirt, and stains do not set into the fabric.
- Ideally, you can wash your pillowcase once a week.
- In the summer, if the weather is hot, you can wash it more often.
✨WE RECOMMEND for keeping it clean longer. Remove cosmetics before going to bed so that it does not stain the fabric. When using oils and lotions, remember that oil stains will remain on silk. Therefore, allow the oils to absorb into your body before going to sleep on your silk pillowcase.
Summary
A silk pillowcase will last for years if you follow these simple principles:
• Wash delicately (preferably by hand or on a delicate cycle).
• Use a special product for silk.
• Dry naturally, not in a dryer.
• Iron carefully or do not iron at all.
Such care does not require much time, but ensures that your pillowcase will remain as shiny and soft as on the first day.
👉 If you want to try out the difference between a regular and a silk pillowcase, take a look at our customers' favorite: Silk pillowcase "Champagne"
