THE Rohe EDIT
How to wash a silk pillowcase so it stays soft and beautiful
Your silk pillowcase is one of the most delicate items in your linen collection — and one of the most rewarding to care for properly. With the right routine, it will stay smooth, lustrous, and soft wash after wash. Before anything else, check the care label: it is the definitive guide for your specific fabric weight and weave. The steps below reflect best practice for most mulberry silk pillowcases.
Use cool water, always
Heat is silk's primary enemy. Wash in cool water — ideally 30 °C (86 °F) or below. Hot water weakens the protein structure of silk fibres, causing them to lose their characteristic sheen and softness over time. Cold or lukewarm water preserves both.
Choose a silk-safe detergent
Use a pH-neutral detergent formulated for delicates or silk. Avoid anything containing enzymes, optical brighteners, or bleach — these break down the amino-acid chains that give silk its strength and lustre. A small amount goes a long way; more detergent does not mean cleaner silk.
Hand washing: the gentlest method
Fill a clean basin with cool water and a few drops of silk-safe detergent. Submerge the pillowcase and swirl it gently for two to three minutes. Do not scrub, twist, or wring — mechanical stress distorts the weave. Rinse thoroughly with cool water until no detergent remains, then press the fabric lightly against the side of the basin to remove excess water.
Machine washing: how to do it safely
If your care label permits machine washing, place the pillowcase inside a mesh laundry bag to protect it from friction and snagging. Select the delicate or hand-wash cycle with a slow spin speed. Use cool water and your silk-safe detergent. Skip the fabric softener — it coats silk fibres and reduces their natural breathability and temperature-regulating properties.
What to avoid entirely
- Bleach — destroys silk fibres irreversibly.
- Enzyme-based detergents — digest the protein structure of silk.
- Fabric softener — leaves a residue that dulls the surface.
- Wringing or twisting — distorts the weave and causes permanent creasing.
- Tumble drying — heat and tumbling action shrink and damage silk.
- Direct sunlight for drying — UV exposure fades colour and weakens fibres.
Air drying the right way
Lay the pillowcase flat on a clean, dry towel or hang it on a padded hanger away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Reshape it gently while damp. Allow it to dry fully before storing or using — damp silk stored in an enclosed space can develop mildew.
Dealing with stains
Treat stains promptly and gently. Blot — never rub — with a clean, damp cloth. Apply a small amount of silk-safe detergent directly to the stain, work it in with your fingertip using light circular motions, and rinse with cool water. For stubborn stains, repeat rather than increasing pressure. Avoid stain-removal sprays that contain alcohol, bleach, or enzymes.
