How to wash silk

No need to put off wearing your favorite silk scarf, blouse or tie if you’re worried about ruining it in the wash. We’ve got some need-to-know tips that will help you care for silks as you wash them:

Always read the label – the label on your items is a little cheat sheet that tells you how you should care for and clean it. Always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Turn items inside out – silk fabric is light and delicate meaning it can easily snag. Turn garments inside out during washing to protect them.

Wash in cold water – heat can damage the natural fibers in silk, so always use cold water unless the label instructs otherwise.

Avoid the dryer – high temperatures can ruin your silk, so opt to air dry them instead. Silk and sunlight don’t mix well, so dry them inside and away from direct sunlight.

Use the right products – chlorine bleach will cause damage to your silk fabric, so you’ll want a detergent that is gentle on your sensitive items, like Woolite® Delicates.

Silk is delicate and it requires a delicate method of washing, so use Woolite® Delicates for silk items. Use a handwashing method, or if you want to machine wash them, use a gentle cycle to ensure they still look their best.

To wash your silk sheets follow the instructions below:

Usage instructions – Handwash

1. Fill a sink or washtub with cold water unless label instructs otherwise

2. Using the measuring cap, fill the liquid up to line 1, pour into water and stir with your hands

Usage instructions – Top loaders

1. Select a delicate or gentle cycle. Usually, it’s advised that silk is washed on a gentle or delicate cycle

2. Follow the garment label instructions for water temperature

3. Fill the machine with water

4. Pour a dose of Woolite® Delicates into water. For medium load washes, fill the measuring cap to line 1

5. Add silk items

Usage instructions – Front loaders

1. Select a delicate or gentle cycle

2. Follow the garment label instructions for water temperature

3. Pour a dose of Woolite® Delicates into the dispenser/drawer. For medium load washes, fill the measuring cap to line 1

4. Add silk items

Always check the label before washing.

Whether your item is blended with other fabrics such as cotton or rayon will impact how you should wash your clothes. Always check the label or consult a cleaning professional.

Whether it has intricate patterns or one solid block of color, a silk tie is a great way of adding a statement piece to formal attire; however, due to its position, it does mean it’s usually in the firing line for spills and stains. If you’re wondering how you get stains out of a silk tie, simply spot treat the stain and follow the handwash instructions above.

Remember to be gentle on the silk when handwashing. Don’t scrub too vigorously or you run the risk of ruining the fabric.

Washing your best silk items can be daunting, but like anything, when looked after properly, your garments can last a lifetime.

All you need is a product that is designed to care for silk like Woolite® Delicates laundry detergent and the proper washing method. It’s best to handwash silk items, but if you want to machine wash them, use a gentle cycle with cool water. Just follow the steps above for the optimum results.

Special washing instructions also means special drying instructions. If you choose to handwash your silk items, don’t wring them out as they lose strength when wet, meaning they can warp and stretch. Blot them with a clean white towel to absorb excess water.

Once your item is washed, it can be tempting to throw it in the dryer, but the high heat can damage the integrity of the fabric. Air dry your garments away from direct sunlight to keep them looking fresh for longer.