Silk has somehow earned a reputation for being, well, the bit**y diva of the fabric world. Mention washing silk and people start whispering about specialist detergents, expensive dry cleaners, and the possibility of ruining a £50 pillowcase with a single wrong swipe of the wash cycle selector.
Let's clear something up: silk isn't nearly as high-maintenance as people think.
Yes, silk fabric stands out for its lustrous appearance 🦄 and smooth texture 🫂. Yes, those delicate silk fibers deserve a little respect ✊. But no, you don't need a degree in textile science to keep your silk pillowcases, eye masks, and garments looking beautiful.
In fact, once you know the basics, cleaning silk is surprisingly straightforward.
Why Silk Needs a Little TLC ❤️🤫
Silk is made from natural protein fibres spun by silkworms. It's lightweight, breathable, naturally luxurious, and stronger than many people realise...
What silk doesn't love is being bullied.
Hot water, harsh chemicals, aggressive scrubbing, and tumble dryers are where things start to go wrong. Treat the fabric gently and its unique fiber structure will reward you with years of softness, shine, and comfort.
You can learn how to treat it right using our silk care guide.
Think of silk less as "high maintenance" and more as "particular about its boundaries."
Step One: Read the Care Label
Before you start wondering "can you wash silk pillowcases?" or "can you machine wash silk?", check the care label.
It will usually tell you one of three things:
- Dry clean only
- Hand wash
- Machine wash on a delicate cycle
If it says dry clean only, believe it. If it says hand wash or machine wash, congratulations...you can skip the trip to the dry cleaners. 🥂
Not all silk fabrics are created equal, and those little labels are there to stop expensive learning experiences.
How to Hand Wash Silk (The Easy Way)
Hand washing silk sounds much more complicated than it actually is.
All you need is:
- A clean basin
- Cold water
- A gentle detergent for silk
- Two minutes of your time
Fill the basin with cool water and add a small amount of silk washing detergent or another gentle detergent formulated for delicate fabrics.
Before washing, test an inconspicuous seam with a damp cloth to check colourfastness. If all looks good, gently submerge the silk garment and lightly swish it around.
✅ Notice we said swish. ✅
❌ Not scrub.
❌ Not twist.
❌ Not attack.
Let it soak for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.
To remove excess water, gently press the fabric against the side of the basin or roll it inside a clean towel. Never wring silk unless you're actively trying to make yourself sad 🥲
Can You Wash Silk in a Washing Machine?
Sometimes, yes.
If the care label says machine washing is acceptable, place your silk item inside a mesh laundry bag and select the most delicate cycle available.
Always use:
- Cold - Warm (30C Max / 85F) water
- A gentle detergent for silk
- Low spin speeds
Machine washing silk works best for more durable pieces like some pillowcases. Delicate garments, embellishments, and luxury items are usually happier with hand washing.
So if you're wondering "can you wash silk in the washing machine?" the answer is often yes—just don't throw it in with your gym kit and hope for the best.
Want the luxury without the laundry anxiety? Our silk is machine washable. 😏😏
Drying Silk Without Drama
The fastest way to damage silk is putting it in a tumble dryer.
😖 Heat and silk are not best friends.😖
After washing, gently blot excess moisture with a towel and either:
- Lay the item flat to dry
- Hang it on a padded hanger
Keep it away from direct sunlight, which can fade colours and weaken fibers over time.
Air drying is the secret to maintaining that silky-soft finish everyone loves.
What About Wrinkles?
Silk wrinkles. It happens. Fortunately, those wrinkles are usually easy to remove.
A garment steamer is often the safest option. If you prefer ironing, use the lowest heat setting and place a clean cloth between the iron and the silk garment.
No scorching.
No sizzling.
No panic.
A little steam is usually all silk needs to relax. 😎
Storing Silk Properly
Once your silk is clean, proper storage helps preserve its quality.
Store silk garments:
- On padded hangers
- In breathable garment bags
- Away from direct sunlight
- Basically in cool, dry spaces
For especially delicate pieces, flat storage is ideal. The less stress you put on the fabric, the longer it stays looking luxurious.
When Should You Dry Clean Silk?
Sometimes professional help is the right call.
If the label says "dry clean only," or if you're dealing with heavily embellished garments, bridal wear, or particularly delicate silk fabrics, professional dry cleaning is worth it.
But for everyday silk items like silk pillowcases, eye masks, scarves, and many garments, home washing is often perfectly safe when done correctly.
The Biggest Silk Washing Mistakes
Most silk disasters happen because people overthink things—or underthink them.
Avoid:
- Hot water
- Harsh detergents
- Tumble drying
- Wringing or twisting
- Scrubbing stains aggressively
- Ignoring care labels
In short: be gentle.
That's really the whole secret...
Silk Care in One Sentence
Use cold water, a silk-friendly detergent, gentle handling, and air drying—and silk is actually one of the easiest luxury fabrics to care for.
See now? Not such a diva after all...
Congratulations, you've passed Silk Care 101. Your reward? Our silk collection.