Intent to enhance your beauty sleep? Silk pillowcases are a must. They might offer that luxurious and relaxing feeling besides possibly helping with wrinkles and skin breakouts.
Since silk is the softest material, it can get dirty easily, so you must wash them frequently. But can you machine wash silk pillowcases or hand wash them?
Well, here comes the trickiest part, and this article will give you the right answer and washing instructions.
Let’s discover!
Can You Machine Wash Silk Pillowcases?
The short answer is yes! But only on a short cold-water program, without too much spinning. Make sure to use a gentle liquid detergent or capsules. If your silk pillowcases are stained, add two teaspoons of salt to the washer’s powder detergent container.
When it comes to drying, never use dry heat and never expose them to direct sunlight. Instead, leave them to air dry in a shadowed area or lay them on a towel.
Do’s and Don’ts When Washing Silk Pillowcases
No dry heat
Silk can get easily damaged by dry heat and chemical residue, so you shouldn’t put the silk pillowcases in a hot dryer or dry-iron them.
Never expose the silk pillowcases to direct sunlight
It has already been established that drying silk is a struggle, so another “don’t” is exposing them to direct sunlight. This will cause the silk to rot/deteriorate and tear when handled.
However, you can still hang them in a shadowed area of your home, so the natural air and soft wind will dry them.
Be careful with the detergents
Be careful when choosing the type of detergent you use to wash your silk pillowcases. Never use Woolite, as it leaves a bad residue for the silk.
Baby shampoo and dishwashing liquid are recommended as they are made to be gentle on the skin.
Prevent staining from hair and face products
Since silk is incredibly gentle on the skin, it’s useful in reducing and preventing fine lines and wrinkles, potentially having healing benefits due to its antimicrobial properties.
However, one of the biggest problems with using a silk pillowcase instead of cotton is that it gets easily stained by hair and face products.
Hence, I will share a tip with you on how to prevent this. If applying hair oils before bedtime, wrap your hair in a microfiber sock or use a sleeping beanie.
Silk is also known to absorb skincare products, so if you don’t want your precious moisturizer and face serum to go to waste, apply them at least an hour before sleeping.
Wash your silk pillowcases once a week
Silk pillowcases are the easiest to get dirty and stained, but you probably made peace with this problem once you decided to use them. Thus, if you use them to sleep on every night, you need to wash them frequently.
Nonetheless, washing the pillowcases too often is not advisable, so washing them once a week is enough. However, if you intend to use them occasionally, they can be washed after usage, and you can wash them less often, maybe two to three times a month.
Read more: Can You Machine Wash Polishing Pads?
How to Wash Silk Pillowcases in a Washing Machine
Can you machine wash silk pillowcases? Absolutely, but you must be very careful as silk is a natural fiber and is much more delicate than cotton, so it needs to be washed in a special way.
The recommended process is the following:
- Turn your pillowcase upside down and put it inside a protective washing case.
- Add liquid detergent and water, and mix them well before adding them to the detergent container or adding liquid detergent capsules directly into the washing tub.
- Add two tablespoons of salt to the wash cycle to remove dirt from silk pillowcases and prevent them from becoming stiff after drying.
- Add ¼ white vinegar for every load of laundry to remove smells from the fabric that your pillowcase picked from sweat, face, or hair products.
- Set the washing machine on a cold water program or select if there is a specific silk fabric program.
Alternative Method to Wash Silk Pillowcases
If you are afraid that your favorite silk pillowcase might get ruined, this is the recommended method:
- Fill the sink with cold water and add baby shampoo, but ensure it’s labeled as gentle or sensitive.
- Stir the water, and let the piece soak in for a little while.
- Once it’s clean, drain the sink and rinse the piece under cold water.
- Lay the pillowcase on a towel, roll it up, and let it dry, or just lay it on a towel and leave it on a flat surface to air dry.
Conclusion
Silk pillowcases are a valuable addition to your beauty sleep routine, offering possible benefits such as wrinkle prevention and a luxurious feel. But can you machine wash silk pillowcases?
While silk is delicate and requires special care, machine-washing silk pillowcases is possible. However, it is crucial to follow specific guidelines.
By following the steps I have mentioned, you can enjoy the benefits of silk while keeping your pillowcases clean and well-maintained.
