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 characteristic silky touch
• 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

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 special silk detergent
2. Immerse the silk garment and let it soak for a few minutes
3. Gentlyrub the fabric with your hands to remove 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:

• Choose a 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.

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 eliminate stubborn stains while preserving the 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?

100% natural or organic silk 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 Delicates program at low temperature (30°C max)
• Select a slow spin speed (400-600 rpm max)
• Avoid prewash
• Prefer a small drum filled third

These adjustments will avoid mishandling and wrinkling the silk.

Which detergent should you 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 inside using a soft-bristled 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 it in cold water with a few drops of Marseille soap
2. Rub gently the inside of the pillowcase with your hands
3. Rinse it thoroughly
4. Squeeze itvery delicately
5. Dry it flat on a sheet, in the shade

How to wash a silk sleep mask?

To wash a silk sleep mask:

• Soak the 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 salad 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:

• Soak in cold water with white vinegar
• Rub gently the stains
• Rinse with plenty of clean water
• Dab gently with a towel
• Dry it flat on a sheet, in the shade
• Iron if necessary inside out, at low temperature

Also read: Which 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
• Ironat high temperature

Does silk shrink when washed?

Yes, silk tends to slightly shrink 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 on silk

To remove an old stain on silk:

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

This method allows you to 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 the 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 back side of the fabric
• Place a clean cloth between the iron and the silk
• Perform a quick iron, 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 much 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 brilliance 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
• Store it 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:

• Place it 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
• Store it in a cool 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 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, even more delicate silk. And whatever the textile is made of 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 keep 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. You should never put it in machine, even on a delicate program.

Does silk shrink when washed?

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

Mis à jour le 12 février 2024