Silk is stronger than it looks, but it needs gentler washing than cotton or polyester. The right water temperature, the right detergent and the way you dry it make the difference between silk that keeps its sheen for years and silk that fades, shrinks or loses its shape. As a silk fabric supplier in Cape Town, we handle silk every day. This guide covers how to wash silk by hand and in the machine, which detergent to use, and how to dry, iron and remove stains.
Before You Wash: Check the Label and Test the Colour
Start with the care label. A label that says "Dry Clean" tells you the maker's preferred method, but careful hand washing is usually fine. A label that says "Dry Clean Only" means exactly that, so take it to a dry cleaner.
Next, test for colour fastness. Dampen a cotton bud or white cloth with cool water and a drop of mild detergent, and press it onto a hidden seam. If colour comes off on the cloth, the dye may run in the wash, so have the item dry cleaned instead. Our own silk fabrics are pre shrunk and dyed for colour fastness, but we still suggest this quick test for any silk, especially pieces bought elsewhere.
How to Wash Silk by Hand
Yes, you can wash 100% silk at home. Hand washing is the gentlest way to clean it, and it is the method we recommend for almost all silk.
- Fill a clean basin with cool water, no warmer than 30°C.
- Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent made for silk or delicates, and mix it in before the silk goes in.
- Wash gently for three to five minutes. Swish and lightly squeeze the fabric. Don't rub, scrub or leave silk to soak for longer.
- Rinse in cool, clean water until no soap remains. A couple of tablespoons of white vinegar in the final rinse helps remove soap residue and brings back the sheen.
- Press out the water without wringing. Lay the silk on a clean, dry towel, roll it up and press gently. Never twist or wring silk, because wet silk is more fragile than dry silk.
Can You Wash Silk in a Washing Machine?
You can, but we don't recommend it, even for silk labelled as machine washable, because the machine adds friction and a long spin. Always check the care label first, as machine washing is at your own risk. If you do use the machine:
- Put the silk in a mesh laundry bag to protect it from snags.
- Choose the silk, delicate or wool cycle, in cold water or no warmer than 30°C.
- Use the shortest, gentlest spin your machine allows.
- Wash silk only with similar colours, and take it out as soon as the cycle ends.
The Best Detergent for Washing Silk
Silk is a protein fibre, so choose a mild, pH neutral liquid detergent labelled for silk, wool or delicates. Check that it is non biological. Biological detergents contain enzymes designed to break down protein stains, and they can't tell a stain from the silk itself, so over time they weaken the fibres. Avoid detergents with bleach or optical brighteners, and never use chlorine bleach on silk.
Can you wash silk with shampoo?
Yes. If you don't have a silk detergent, a mild baby shampoo is a good substitute, because it is gentle and low in alkali. A few drops of hair conditioner in the final rinse will give the silk an extra soft feel.
How do you wash silk without detergent?
Use a mild baby shampoo in place of detergent. Plain water will rinse away surface dust, but it won't lift the body oils and skincare that build up on silk you wear or sleep on, so a gentle cleanser is still worth using.
How to Wash a Silk Pillow Case
A silk pillow case picks up hair products, skincare and natural oils every night, so wash it regularly. Turn it inside out, then hand wash it using the steps above, or machine wash it in a mesh bag on a cold, delicate cycle. Dry it flat or over a line, out of direct sunlight. Our 19mm Mulberry silk pillow cases are made to be slept on every night, so a gentle wash routine keeps them smooth for longer. For eye masks and padded pieces, follow the care label, as some are dry clean recommended.
How to Dry Silk
- Never tumble dry silk. The heat can dull and shrink it, and the drum can cause yarn breaks or pale streaks.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight, which fades colour and weakens the fibre over time.
- Lay silk flat on a clean, dry towel in the shade, away from heat. Tailored garments can go on a padded hanger instead, so they keep their shape.
- Avoid painted or varnished wooden drying racks, as the finish can stain wet silk.
How to Iron Silk
Iron silk on the reverse while it is still slightly damp, on the silk or lowest heat setting, with a pressing cloth between the iron and the fabric. High heat can dull, pucker or scorch silk. Don't sprinkle water on one spot, because it can leave a ring as it dries. For light creases, a steamer is gentler than an iron, or hang the garment in the bathroom while you shower and let the steam do the work. This also works when you travel: unpack your silk, hang it up, and most creases will drop out overnight.
How to Remove Stains from Silk
- Grease and oil: while the stain is still fresh, cover it with cornflour or baby powder, leave it overnight to absorb the grease, then shake it off.
- Pen marks: blot the mark with blotting paper, rinse the area in cold water and blot again. If a mark remains, dab it with a mild solution of white vinegar and water using a soft toothbrush.
- Perfume and hairspray: alcohol can mark and weaken silk, so let perfume and hairspray dry fully before you get dressed.
For stubborn stains, take the item to a dry cleaner and tell them exactly what you have already tried.
Silks That Should Be Dry Cleaned
Most plain light and medium silks hand wash well, including silk satin, crepe de chine, silk twill, chiffon and georgette. Heavier, textured and detailed pieces are different. We recommend dry cleaning for dupion, raw silk, bridal silk and heavy silk crepe, which can lose their lustre and change texture in water, and for structured or detailed items. Our silk scarves are dry clean recommended too, so check the care line on each product before you wash anything.
Caring for Your Silk Fabric
Treated gently, silk lasts for years. If you are choosing silk fabric for your own project, ask us about how each weave behaves in the wash before you buy. Browse our silk fabric range, or explore our ready made silk pyjamas and sleepwear.
