Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos How to Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets Follow these tips, and you will keep this indulgent bedding pristine for as long as possible. By Caylin Harris Caylin Harris Caylin Harris is a freelance writer, stylist, and crafter with over a decade of experience in the media industry. She is a regular contributor to magazines like Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle, Rachael Ray Every Day, Good Housekeeping, and Parents. Served as craft producer for season three of the Emmy award-winning TV show, Naturally, Danny Seo. Whether she's working for editorial or brand clients, she loves helping people learn new and exciting information about all aspects of their homes and lives. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 16, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Considerations Hand-Washing Machine-Washing Tips A silk pillowcase can keep your skin and hair healthier, but its benefits get nixed if you're not washing it regularly. That said, while silk bedding is more delicate than sateen sheets made of cotton, you don't need to dry clean it every time you change your sheets. Here's how to wash silk pillowcases and sheets, whether by hand or using the washing machine. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Steamer or steam iron (optional) Materials Gentle detergent formulated for silk Mesh laundry bag Distilled white vinegar Clean white towel Instructions Before You Get Started Decide whether or not you have the time and resources to hand- or machine-wash your silk pillowcases and sheets. Wash silk with like colors to avoid discoloration in case the dyes run. You can also test an inconspicuous spot with cool water and a tiny amount of detergent before washing the entire item. How to Hand-Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets Submerge in Cold Water and Detergent Fill a clean sink or basin with cool water and detergent according to package instructions. Turn your silk pillowcase inside-out and submerge until it's fully saturated with water. Agitate the Fabric Don't scrub the fabric against itself or wring out the pillowcase. Instead, gently agitate the fabric to clean. Rinse Thoroughly Rinse the pillowcase thoroughly with more cold water. Again, don't wring to dry, but press the fabric gently between your hands. Lay Flat and Dry Lay the pillowcase on a clean, white towel and gently roll up the towel to remove excess water. Hang up the pillowcase to air-dry. Repeat Process in Bathtub for Sheets The same process above can be used to wash silk sheets in a clean bathtub. How to Machine-Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets Place in Washer Inside Mesh Bag Place in the washer with other silk items in similar colors. Turn silk pillowcases inside-out and place them in a mesh bag to prevent pulls in the fabric. Run Through Delicate Cycle Run the machine on a delicate cycle, with cold water, and use mild detergent according to package instructions. Add Vinegar Add ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser—it will help break down any residue collected on the silk fibers. Shake and Roll When the cycle is over, gently shake out and lay the pillowcase on a clean, white towel. Roll up the towel to remove excess water. Hang up the pillowcase to air-dry. Remove Sheets and Hang Dry For sheets, remove them from the machine as quickly as possible to prevent wrinkles, then hang them to dry away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Tips for How to Wash Silk Bedding DON'T use bleach or fabric softener when washing silk.DO wash your silk pillowcase at least once a week and if you're machine-washing, add it to an all-silk delicate load.DO wash your silk pillowcase before using it for the first time.DON'T dry a silk pillowcase in direct sunlight or in a heated dryer cycle. If you absolutely must use the dryer, use it on the air/no-heat cycle.DO steam silk bedding if you'd like to eliminate wrinkles. The 5 Best Silk & Satin Sheet Sets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed