Can You Hand Wash Silk? (How To Wash Silk Sheets, Scarf…)
The debate continues. This debate rages over the question should you dry clean dry clean only clothes or hand wash them to save the expense. Which side of the fence you sit on may be determined by your experience when you hand wash dry clean only items.
Can you hand wash silk? It is possible to hand wash some silk items. It is the preferred method of washing as the washing machine can be very destructive. The way to do it is to turn the silk items inside out, then test for color bleed on a hidden section to make sure hand-washing is safe.
To learn how to hand was silk, just continue to read our article. It is filled with instructions and how-to guidelines to make your hand washing experience safe and enjoyable.
Washing Silk 101
Why Can't You Wash Silk?
To be clear you can wash some silk varieties but even with that option it is always better to dry clean. Dry cleaners have the experience, the equipment, and the chemicals to handle silk material and keep them looking their best.
Another reason for not washing silk is that the washing machine can be fairly destructive to the fabric. Especially if you make a mistake like using hot water, bleach, or a hard wash cycle.
Water also weakens the fibers in silk. That is an important reason not to wash silk when it can be avoided.
Can You Hand Wash Silk?
Yes you can. It is the best way to clean silk when you cannot afford or have the time to take those items to the dry cleaners. Hand washing takes a little more time but it is a better process than washing your expensive silks in the washing machine.
The key to hand washing silk is the bleed test. If the dyes do not bleed when you make a test on the fabric, then it is okay to hand wash the item. If it does bleed, then the dry cleaners are your only option
Can You Wash Silk in a Washing Machine?
This is also a possibility but you should check the cleaning label first before attempting this method. If the label says machine wash is okay, then do so without fear. Just make sure to use the delicate cycle, with cold water and forget the bleach.
If the garment says dry clean only, then do not risk it. The washing machine may do irreparable damage to your silk garments with the least problem being wrinkles. Follow the label exactly to avoid having to repurchase skirts, blouses, shirts, and dresses.
What Do You Wash Silk With?
If you are talking about what kind of detergent you should use, for both machine and hand washing, you should use a laundry detergent formulated to work with delicate fabrics.
Next, you should wash silks one at a time. This is especially so when you are cleaning your silk bedding. The key is to treat the fabric like you would your own hair. They are made of the same type of proteins. If the fabric does bleed, do not toss it in with other clothing items. Wash it alone.
Wash Silk With Vinegar
White vinegar is a good cleaner. Mix just 1/4 cup in a basin filled with cold water. Once you have done that submerge your garment and the vinegar will start working on stains, it removes soap and helps the silk regain its shine.
The trick is to swish the silk gently in the water and vinegar mixture. When you are done empty the basin and refill it with clean water for the rinse cycle. This is all done after you have washed the silk in a soap and water mixture.
Wash Silk With Shampoo
This is possible and you want to use the gentlest shampoo you can find. That will be baby shampoo. Since silk is delicate you need a shampoo that is gentle and knows how to handle delicate features.
If your home uses soft water you just need to fill the tub up with cold water and add a little shampoo. Then you are good to go. If your home has a hard water system, then it is okay to add a teaspoon or so of borax to the water before washing.
Wash Silk With Dish Soap
The process is the same as using other soaps to clean silk clothing or bedding items. Also, the requirements are the same as well. The dish soap needs to be void of any harsh chemicals if you are going to use it to clean your silk blouse, etc.
Just turn the silk gown, etc., inside out and gently wash from the reverse side. The formula for this is 1 part dish soap and 10 parts water. Don’t use dishwasher detergent to clean your silks at any time.
Wash Silk With Baking Soda
The only instruction we found for this alternative was not to use baking soda with silk or wool. There was no reason given for this warning but it may be good advice as we found nothing that recommended this option.
Baking soda is used more for removing odors than it is used for cleaning. In some cases it can be combined with liquids to make a paste but baking soda’s part is again to remove the bad smells your clothes can get. Avoid using baking soda on silk.
Best Soap To Wash Silk
This is not talking about brand names here. There are a lot of top brands that produce top quality soaps that handle all your cleaning needs. You can find good laundry soaps for silk in most top brands.
The best soap to use would be natural soap like Savon de Marseille, Doctor Bronner as examples only. Or you can use baby soap as it is nice and gentle on the fabric. What you do not want to use are those soaps high in alkaline ingredients or contain harsh chemicals.
Do You Wash Silk in Hot or Cold Water?
Silk fabrics are very vulnerable to direct heat. Using hot water would be using direct heat to clean your silks. When you do this you are risking damaging the expensive fabric and ruining it beyond repair.
Cold water is the best way to wash any silk item. It doe snot damage the fabric. If you are washing at home forget about the dryer. That machine is also considered providing direct heat. Keep everything cool when it comes to silk and you should be able to wear your silks for a long time to come.
Can You Wash Silk at 60 Degrees?
Warm or hot water is used to help kill germs that do not die when you use cold water. 60 degrees is warm enough to handle that purpose. But it may be too warm for silk. The recommended temperature for that fabric is cold water and 60 degrees is not cold.
To kill any bacteria or germs n silk, just use a good germ-fighting soap and keep the water cold. That way you are erring on the side of caution and do not put your silk items at risk.
Is a Silk Wash Delicate?
The answer is positive but it is positive because you have to have a delicate wash if you are going to clean your silk items. Silk is just too vulnerable of a fabric to risk it in a wash that is harsh, hard, or rough.
If you can’t dry clean your silks, hand wash very carefully to make sure the fibers do not get damaged. Also do not wring the silk items when finished. Hang to dry or roll in a towel to remove the excess moisture.
How Long Does a Silk Wash Take?
This process does not take very long. You can’t submerge the garment underwater for too long as the water may damage the fibers and create new problems for you to solve.
The longest part of washing silk is the rolling in a towel to dry the item and then hanging them up for it to dry the rest of the way.
Should You Wash Silk Before Sewing?
Yes you should. That is if it has not been pre-washed and dried by the manufacturer. Pre-washing and drying remove the shrink factor. What that means is that once you do that step, you should be able to use your washer and dryer to clean your silk creations.
Check the labels to see if the fabric has been put through a pre-wash or pre-dry before starting to cut the fabric. Don’t do any cuts until you have pre-washed or dried the fabric.
Can You Wash Silk Pillowcases?
Yes you can. Silk pillowcases are like any other silk fabric and it will depend on the quality and style of the material that determines if you wash them or not. Follow all cleaning instructions found on the cleaning label that is attached to your pillowcases.
If the cleaning labels says to dry clean only then do not wash in your washing machine. Hand washing should be okay as long as you follow all instructions. Gentle washing is required to make sure you do not damage those pillowcases.
When To Wash a Silk Pillowcase
Pillowcases generally do not need as much washing as regular clothing. You can do them every couple of weeks or whenever you want to change the sheets on your bed. The key is to make sure every washing is as gentle as the last one.
Also, you should use a laundry soap that is made to wash delicate items like silk. Treat pillowcases like you would treat your hair and give them the utmost care. That way they will last for years
What To Wash Silk Pillowcase With?
There is nothing special about silk pillowcases that other silk items do not have. These pillowcases are made of different qualities of silk and how they are manufactured will determine how you will wash them.
It is best to wash silk pillowcases on their own and with very gentle laundry soap. Baby shampoo would work and do not put the pillowcases in the dryer or hang them in the sun. Like other silks pillowcases do not like direct heat.
How Should I Wash My Silk Pillowcase?
The first thing you need to do is avoid using any laundry or other soap that contains harsh chemicals. Then keep the water temperatures down. When it comes time to wash them do not let them be submerged in water for very long.
Then when you want to dry the silk pillowcases, do not wring the excess water out. Use a towel to absorb the water and then lay them out flat to air dry. Don’t lay them in the sunlight though.
Should You Wash Silk Sheets Before Using?
This is a good idea even if they have been pre-washed by the manufacturer. Between that washing and your purchase, you have no idea how those sheets have been handled or where they have been laying.
It is just smart to wash your silk sheets before using them as that action will protect you and your family’s health. No matter what fabric your sheets are made of, you should always wash them before putting them on your beds.
How To Wash Silk Sheets
If you are hand washing or machine washing you should wash them one at a time. The friction of other bedding or clothing may damage the sheets during the wash cycle. Hand washing helps soften the sheets making them better to sleep on and you should hand wash several times before machine washing them.
When handwashing, use your bathtub or a sink that is large enough. Then soak the sheets for a few minutes before squeezing the soap through the fabric. After that rinse and dry.
How Do You Wash a Silk Comforter
First, check the label and if it says it is okay to wash in a machine then half your work is done for you. To machine wash a silk comforter use a gentle laundry soap, no bleach, and the delicate cycle on your machine.
If the comforter is really dirty, soak it in the machine for 30 minutes before completing the wash cycle. Also, never use hot water. To dry you can use the dryer but it is best if you hang it up and let the comforter drip dry. Shake when dry to restore fluffiness.
Can You Wash Silk Scarves?
Like other silks a silk scarf can be washed but only if you treat it gently. Silk is silk no matter which clothing or bedding item it is found. All the rules apply to silk scarves that apply to silk in general.
Silk scarves may be more delicate than other fabrics so you should be extra careful when trying to clean them. If in doubt send these items off to the dry cleaners with your other silks.
How To Wash a Silk Scarf
The danger that comes with silk scarves is that the fabric may snag on you as you wash it. Handwash very carefully using baby shampoo and cold water. Before you start do a test to see if the shampoo will damage the fabric.
Rinse then add a little vinegar to the rinse water to remove any soap residue. Lay flat to dry
How To Wash a Silk Shirt
You can follow the handwashing procedures mentioned above. Silk shirts may be a bit more durable than silk dresses so you do not have to be extra careful with them. Make sure you use cold water and soap made for delicate items.
Machine wash like you would other silk items so you do not damage the fabric and ruin the shirt.
Do You Wash Silk Pajamas?
Generally silk pajamas come with a tag that reads dry clean only. When the cleaning tag says that, it is best to dry-clean them. But if you do not have the money to do that, hand washing is the best method you can use.
The key will be in water temperature, a soap made for delicate fabrics, and the proper drying method. It may not be a good idea to machine wash silk pajamas unless the cleaning tag says it is okay.
Some Final Words
If you cannot afford to dry clean your silks all the time, then hand washing those items is the accepted method to use. The washing machine is the last resort and never use your dryer. Keep all silks away from direct heat so that means you use cold water only when washing.
Then you must be gentle with the fabric. Silk is vulnerable to rough treatment and your hands can provide that rough treatment just as easily as the washing machine. Never wring dry or use bleach.
