Can You Machine Wash Silk?

If you're wondering, “Can you wash silk in the washing machine?”, the short answer is yes! Washing your new silk clothes and garments for the first time can be scary.

Because silk is such a luxurious and delicate fabric, you might be tempted to go straight to a dry cleaner. However, it's very easy to wash silk at home yourself – it just takes a bit of gentle care.

At Slipintosoft, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with sustainable and fashionable silk items, and we want them to last for years to come. So, let's get into how to wash silk in washing machine appliances!

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can machine wash silk!
• If your silk's fabric care label says “Dry Clean Only”, don't wash your silk at home.
• Use a gentle cycle and cold water to machine wash silk.
• Never put your silk in the dryer. Silk will shrink and can become damaged in a tumble dryer.
• It's best to hand-wash silk instead of machine washing.

Can You Machine Wash Silk?

So, can silk be machine washed? Absolutely! You just need to be extra careful when you wash silk clothes in the machine, as it's possible for them to get damaged.

The most important thing to do before you throw silk fabric in the washing machine is to check the care label on your silk garment. If it says “Dry Clean Only”, you shouldn't wash and care for silk at home.

To remove stains from silk in the machine, you're going to have to put the machine on specific settings and use the right kind of detergent, as it's really delicate. Let's get that silk into the washing machine!

Step-by-Step Guide for Machine Washing Silk

You've likely heard horror stories about silk that's gotten destroyed in the washing machine, but it doesn't have to be that way! With our special methods, you can get your favorite silk scarf looking brand new from the washing machine. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to properly wash silk in the washing machine.

1. Get Your Silk Ready for the Machine

The first thing to do to prepare for a machine wash is to sort and organize your laundry. Don't put silk items in with other heavier fabrics, as this is bad for silk and can cause snagging and color transfer.

As silk is a light and delicate fabric, we suggest using a mesh laundry bag. You wouldn't want that brand-new silk shirt to get tangled or caught in the machine! You'll also want to check the silk for any stains. If you do find any stains, you can treat them with mild detergent and water. Or, check out our guide on how to remove oil stains. 

Additionally, it's important to test your garment's color fastness. Do this by pressing a damp cloth against different areas of the material and rubbing it gently. If you notice any color bleeding, you'll need to wash the item separately. Otherwise, the color can bleed onto your other clothing!

Once you've prepared the items, you're ready to use the washing machine!

2. Machine Washing Silk at Home

If you feel nervous about washing that sophisticated silk dress in the machine, don't be. The key is to use the gentle cycle wash setting!

You're going to have to set your washing machine to a delicate cycle or the hand wash cycle. It's important to only use cold water, as heat can agitate your silk garment. We recommend using water below 86° F!

Next, you have to choose the right detergent. It has to work well on delicate garments, not just regular detergents – these can be harsh on items made of silk. If you have a silk detergent designed for delicate fabrics, that's great!

If you don't have the best detergent, you can even use baby shampoo as a substitute. Avoid chlorine bleach at all costs, though. Chlorine can cause a lot of damage to the fibers of your silk!

3. Drying Your Silk Garments

After all that soap and cold water, your silk item is going to need to dry off. However, when it's time to dry silk, you should know that it's a delicate process! You might be tempted to immediately pat it down with a dry towel, but this is a bad move.

To start off, gently squeeze the water out of the silk. Then, you should carefully wrap your scarf in a clean towel. The towel will absorb the water. Do this a few times until the towel starts getting wet.

After this, you can air dry your silk garment. Lay it on a flat surface to dry naturally and be sure to completely avoid direct sunlight. This is because silk is a very delicate material, and the sun can make even the most luxurious silk bedding yellow over time. 

Try not to put your silk on a tumble dryer spin cycle if you can; silk fibers are very susceptible to heat damage.

4. Storing Silk

After a cool wash and dry, you're ready to store your silk! The most important thing is to keep it in a dry and dark area away from sunlight and moisture. Moisture in your storage area can cause mold growth! Your storage option also needs to be breathable.

We suggest either carefully folding or hanging your silk garments immediately after they’ve dried. This can prevent wrinkles, too!

Other Cleaning Methods for Silk

It's definitely best to hand-wash your silk garments. It takes a lot to care for your silk, but it can be hard to wash by hand if you're in a rush. All you have to do is fill a basin with some cool water and detergent and let it soak with a few swirls.

If you don't want to do it yourself, you can always go to the dry cleaners when you need to wash your precious items! If you take it to a professional, they'll make sure the job is done right. Dry cleaning usually costs between $15 and $50.

If you decide to go for a professional, though, make sure it's dry-cleaned ASAP, especially if it's been stained. Dry cleaners can also spot treat-with ease. However, the longer a stain is left, the more it bonds with the silk fibers.

Common Mistakes When Machine Washing Silk

Here are a few mistakes you might make when you put your clothes in the washing machine:

• Forgetting to check the care label
• Using hot water
• Not color testing
• Washing with heavy fabrics

Take special care when you clean silk in the machine, or you could face stains, permanent damage, or shrinkage.

Slipintosoft: Affordable High-Quality Silk Garments

When it comes down to it, the real question is, “Should you machine wash silk?” While you definitely can wash your comfy new silk pillowcase, you have to be extra careful about it! Only use cold water and make sure the machine is set to a gentle cycle.

Ultimately, though, it's better to hand-wash silk. This is because there's less of a risk of your garment getting damaged.

Whether you hand-wash or machine wash, the most important thing is that you feel fresh and beautiful in your silk clothing. Silk should always feel luxurious and comfortable, and that's where we come in.

Slipintosoft is your one-stop shop for all things sophisticated silk, from accessories and bedding to women's and men's fashion.

FAQs on Can You Machine Wash Silk? 

Is silk ruined if it gets wet?

No, your silk isn't necessarily ruined if it gets wet. While silk is a delicate fabric, you can still let it get wet and wash out. However, your silk can get water-stained. Water spots are easily removed from silk items, though!

Can silk go through the dryer?

No, silk should not go through the dryer. This is because the heat in a dryer can damage the silk. However, if it's a necessity, you can put it in the dryer on the air setting for less than 15 minutes, as long as there are no dryer balls or fabric sheets inside.

How do you revive silk after washing it?

You can easily revive silk with vinegar after a wash. If you submerge it in a quarter cup of white vinegar with 4 liters of lukewarm water, you're good to go. Swirl it around for a couple of minutes and then rinse thoroughly until the smell is gone. This method can remove leftover soap and restore the shine and softness of your silk.

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