How to wash silk correctly to preserve its quality ?

Understanding silk and its particularities

silk is a natural fiber produced by the silkworm, an insect that secretes silk to build its cocoon. It is a very delicate material, both soft and shiny.

Silk has the particularity of being a hydrophilic material: it tends to absorb humidity and stains. This is why it is essential to understand how to maintain and wash it to preserve its quality.

Also read: How is silk made ?

What makes silk unique ?

Silk has unique qualities that make it a prized textile:

• Its exceptional softness
• Its silky touch characteristic
• Its brilliance and its natural radiance
• Its lightness
• Its patterns and shimmering colors

These properties make silk a fabric that is luxurious, elegant and refined. But its delicate nature requires careful maintenance to preserve all its qualities.

Also read: What is the best silk in the world ?

Methods for washing silk without damaging it

Washing silk by hand: instructions for use

Hand washing is the most gentle and secure method for washing silk clothing and accessories without the risk of damaging them.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Fill a container with cold water and dilute a few drops of liquid Marseille soap or a gentle silk detergent
2. Immerse the silk garment and let it soak for a few minutes
3. Gently rub the fabric with your hands to dislodge dirt
4. Rinse thoroughly with cold water
5. Drain without spinning
6. Dry flat on a towel

As the founder of The Oversized Hoodie®, I highly recommend always washing silk clothing by hand in cold water. Over the years, I have noticed that this is the only method that preserves the brilliance of the colors and the unique softness of this luxurious fabric.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

How to properly use Marseille soap for silk?

Marseille soap is the No. 1 ally for washing silk by hand. Diluted in water, it gently cleans without altering the silk.

To use it correctly:

• Prefer Marseille soap liquid or soft
• The dilute in cold water
• Immerse the garment in it and let it soak 5 to 10 minutes
• Rub gently without insisting
• Rinse with plenty of clean water

Avoid Marseille bar soaps which can be too abrasive.

Also discover: Best silk pillowcase 2024: comparison and buying guide

The white vinegar tip for washing silk

white vinegar is a natural product that allows you to degrease and sanitize laundry without damaging it.

To wash silk with white vinegar:

• Pour 2 tablespoons of white vinegar into cold water
• Immerse the garment in it and let it soak 10 minutes
• Rub gently then rinse

White vinegar will remove stubborn stains while preserving colors.

Shampoo, an ally for cleaning silk ?

Yes, using baby shampoo or for sensitive people is an effective tip for washing silk without risk.

Just:

• Pour a few drops of shampoo into cold water
• Immerse the silk item in it
• Leave it to act then rub gently
• Rinse thoroughly

Thanks to its ultra-gentle formula, the shampoo cleans silk without damaging it.

Also read: What are the types of silk ?

How to wash natural silk ?

Silk 100% natural or organic is even more fragile than classic silk. It therefore requires manual washing in cold water.

Steps:

1. Fill a container with cold water
2. Add a few drops of Marseille soap organic
3. Immerse the silk item and let soak 5 minutes
4. Rub carefully
5. Rinse with plenty of clean water
6. Drain without wringing
7. Dry flat at room temperature

Any washing machine, even the delicate program, should be avoided for this type of ultra-fine silk.

We advise our customers to always read clothing labels before washing them. 100% natural silk is even more delicate and requires special treatment to avoid damaging it.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Also read: How to Recognize Real Natural Silk ? 

Machine washing silk: is it possible ?

It is not recommended to machine wash silk, but it remains possible if certain precautions are taken:

Choose the right program to machine wash silk

• Opt for the program Delicate at low temperature (30°C max)
• Select a slow spin speed (400-600 rpm max)
• Avoid prewash
• Prefer a small drum filled to a third

These adjustments will avoid mishandling and wrinkling the silk.

Which detergent to use to machine wash silk ?

• Use a special silk liquid detergent
• It cleans gently without altering the colors
• Otherwise, opt for a detergent without phosphate, non-aggressive

Avoid powder detergents that are too abrasive for this sensitive fabric.

The care of different silk items

How to wash a silk dress ?

To wash a silk dress:

• Turn it inside out
• Gently brush the interior using a soft bristle brush
• Soak in a basin of cold, soapy water
• Lightly rub the stains
• Rinse
• Drain without wringing
• Dry flat on a clean sheet

How to wash a silk pillowcase ?

Here are the steps to wash a silk pillowcase:

1. Soak in cold water with a few drops of Marseille soap
2. Rub gently the inside of the pillowcase with your hands
3. The rinse thoroughly
4. Wring it out very gently
5. The dry flat on a sheet, in the shade

How to wash a silk sleep mask ?

To wash a silk sleep mask:

• The soak in cold water with 2 tablespoons of liquid Marseille soap
• Rub carefully inside and out
• Rinse with plenty of clean water
• Drain without spinning
• Dry flat on a towel in the open air

How to wash a silk nightcap ?

Here's how to wash a silk nightcap:

• Fill a bowl with cold water
• Add a few drops of baby shampoo
• Y immerse the cap and let soak 10 minutes
• Rub with hands to dislodge dirt
• Rinse with plenty of clean water
• Drain without spinning
• Dry flat on a clean cloth

Washing and caring for a silk scarf

To wash a silk scarf:

• The soak in cold water with white vinegar
• Rub gently the stains
• Rinse with plenty of clean water
• Dab gently with a towel
• The dry flat on a sheet, in the shade
• The iron if necessary on the reverse side, at low temperature

Also read: What silk for your scarf ?

Mistakes to avoid when washing silk

How to damage silk: pitfalls to avoid

Certain common actions can irreparably damage silk:

• Wash silk in machine at high temperature
• Use an aggressive detergent
• The tumble dry
• Expose it in full sun
• Wring it out vigorously
• The iron at high temperature

Does silk shrink when washed ?

Yes, silk tends to shrink slightly when washed, around 2 to 5%.

It is therefore preferable to:

• Wash it as infrequently as possible
• The dry flat to avoid shrinkage
• Avoid wringing it, a source of shrinkage

Removing an old stain from silk

To remove an old stain on silk:

• Dab the stain with a cotton soaked in make-up remover milk
• Leave to act 5 minutes then rinse
• Rub then the area with Marseille soap
• Rinse and dry

This method helps remove stubborn stains without damaging the fabric.

Silk and dry cleaning: what you need to know

Traditional dry cleaning using perchlorethylene should be prohibited for silk because this chemical solvent alters the fibers.

Prefer ecological dry cleaning using supercritical CO2. This innovative method gently cleans without damaging the silk.

Ironing silk without damaging it: techniques to know

To iron silk without risk of damaging it:

• Use an iron set to synthetic temperature, between 110°C and 120°C maximum
• Iron the silk on the wrong side of the fabric
• Place a clean cloth between the iron and the silk
• Perform quick ironing, without pressing

These precautions allow the heat to smooth the silk without directly exposing it to too high a temperature.

Is steam ironing recommended for silk?

No, steam should be avoided when ironing silk. The heat released by the water vapor is far too high and could damage the delicate fibers of the silk.

We therefore prefer dry ironing, quick and at low temperature.

Also read: Natural or Synthetic Silk ?

Preserving silk: tips and recommendations

How to preserve the vibrancy of silk colors?

To keep the colors of the silk bright, it is recommended to:

• Wash silk as infrequently as possible, by hand in cold water
• The dry out of the sun
• The store in a cotton or linen cover
• Avoid exposing it to direct light which alters the colors

Thus, we preserve all the liveliness and nuances of the colors.

Long-term conservation of silk: the right actions

Here are some tips for preserving silk for several years:

• The place in an airtight box, with acid-free paper
• Add silica gel sachets to absorb humidity
• Air out the box for a few minutes every 3 months
• The store in a temperate room, away from humidity and light

Following these recommendations allows you to keep all the qualities of silk even after many years.

Conclusion

silk is a noble but very fragile material which requires special precautions for its washing and its maintenance. washing only by hand in cold water, with gentle products such as Marseille soap, preserves its delicate fibers and its colors shimmering.

It is important to always read the labels to identify 100% natural silk, which is even more delicate. And whatever the textile in silk, it is better to dry it flat, in the open air, never in the tumble dryer.

By following these few rules, your most beautiful clothes and accessories in silk will retain all their shine and incomparable feel.

Material	Shrinkage method	Water temperature	Drying
Silk	Hand wash with liquid Marseille soap or mild silk detergent	Cold water	Dry flat on a towel in the open air
100% natural silk	Manual washing with organic Marseille soap	Cold water	Dry flat at room temperature

FAQ

How to machine wash silk ?

Even if it is not recommended, you can machine wash silk with caution: program Delicate at 30°C maximum, spin speed slow, detergent gentle liquid and avoid pre-washing.

How to wash silk without damaging it ?

To wash silk without risk: use cold water, diluted liquid Marseille soap, rub delicately , rinse well then dry flat in the open air.

How to wash 100% silk ?

100% silk can be washed only by hand, in cold water, with a few drops of soap from organic Marseille. It should never be put on machine, even on a delicate program.

Does silk shrink when washed ?

Yes, silk tends to slightly shrink when washing, usually 2 to 5%. It is therefore better to wash it as infrequently as possible and always dry it flat.

Updated September 19, 2024