Using silk sheets automatically gives you the feeling of comfort, opulence, and luxury by:
- Enhancing your sleep quality
- Providing care for your hair and skin
- Cooling during the summer and heating in the winter
- Aiding people with sensitive skin
Because it is a delicate fabric, you might assume silk will be strenuous to wash, but that is not the case. You can easily clean your silk sheets in the house and maintain them for extended periods without much inconvenience.
Things to Consider When Washing Silk Sheets
Unlike other natural fabrics, silk’s protein base makes it susceptible to certain laundry products and procedures. Making the necessary adjustments will aid the wash process.
Removing Stains from Silk Sheets
The first step in washing your silk sheets is to pre-treat the stains to avoid subjecting the delicate fabrics to more stress than they can handle when washing.
One of the appeals of silk is its ability to repel dust mites and moths. However, some pesky stains can linger on the sheets; it’s not a big deal because you can effortlessly remove them.
Common silk sheet stains are sweat, oil, make-up, blood, etc.
You will have significant success when you remove the stains immediately they occur to avoid permanent discoloration.
Procedure:
- Place the silk sheets on a flat surface; don’t remove the sheets from the bed if there are tiny stains.
- Dampen the stained areas with cold water. Hot water will set the stains on the sheets.
- Pour a tiny amount of stain remover or detergent on the stained areas and work the treatment into the sheets with your fingers or a paper towel.
- Allow the treatment to soak for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the stains and let the sheets air-dry.
- Or, wash your sheets if it’s laundry day.
The Detergent to Use When Washing Silk Sheets
The Correct Detergent
Choosing the correct detergent is vital when washing silk sheets because of its delicate fabric. Most detergents contain harsh ingredients that can destroy silk, so avoid them.
You should especially avoid special enzyme detergents because they target protein or oil-based stains in clothes, dissolves them, and washes them away. Silk is a protein-based fabric; using enzyme detergents will see the sheets deteriorate over time.
Some detergents are suitable for washing delicate clothing like silk sheets; their formula is specifically for silk, wool, etc.
The Detergent Quantity
When washing silk sheets, using the correct detergent quantity is the second phase of the detergent process. Detergent leaves particles and residue on clothes and the washing machine, which can cause problems.
The sheets can lose their softness because of this residue, and the washer can have reduced functionality impeding the proper washer of clothes.
Detergents have recommended amounts for each load on their labels; follow these instructions.
Other Laundry Additives
Check the care label for instructions on other laundry additives like bleach and fabric softeners, but the consensus is to avoid them to prevent damage.
Silk has a smooth, glossy finish that can destroy if you use the wrong products to wash them.
A suitable alternative to fabric softener is white vinegar. Pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser during the rinse cycle to maintain the softness of silk sheets.
Silk Sheets’ Wash Settings
The optimal way to wash silk sheets to avoid any damage like shrinkage, wrinkles, piling, loss of absorbency and smoothness, etc., is to hand wash the sheets.
However, there are settings you can select on washers to wash the silk sheets.
The Correct Wash Cycle
Use the slowest wash cycle the washer offers to wash your silk sheets; some washers have a “gentle” wash cycle.
The “gentle” wash cycle uses a slow spin speed, short wash time, and reduced agitation to prevent undue stress on the sheets during the wash.
Some washers have a “silk” wash cycle optimized for washing silk clothing.
The Correct Water Temperature
Even though hot water removes dirt and stains better, it can damage silk sheets. Use cold water to wash and rinse silk sheets; refer to the care label for further clarification.
Machine Washing Silk Sheets
- Place your silk sheets in a silk-only load separate from other fabrics.
- Separate your white silk sheets from the colored ones.
- Place a properly-weighed load in the washer – the sheets should move freely.
- Put the silk sheets in a mesh laundry bag to protect them from the strain of the washer.
- Pour a gentle liquid laundry detergent into the washer based on the label’s recommendations.
- Select the “gentle/delicate” wash cycle and cold water setting.
- Start washing the sheets.
- Pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle.
- Remove the silk sheets from the washer immediately after the wash cycle ends.
- Dry the silk sheets.
Hand Washing Silk Sheets
- Place your silk sheets in a silk-only load separate from other fabrics.
- Separate your white silk sheets from the colored ones.
- Fill a sizable bowl or bathtub with cold or lukewarm water.
- Pour a gentle liquid laundry detergent into the washer based on the label’s recommendations.
- Place your silk sheets into the soapy water and soak for three minutes.
- Start washing the sheets, but do not wring or squeeze them.
- After washing, drain the water and refill the bowl with cold or lukewarm water.
- Pour ½ cup of white vinegar into the water.
- Move the sheets around the water to remove the soap suds.
- Press out the water with your hands, but don’t squeeze or wring the silk sheets.
- Dry the silk sheets immediately.
How to Dry Silk Sheets
Silk sheets require low heat when drying, even more so than when washing; ensure the drying environment is cool and breezy.
Air-Drying Silk Sheets
Spread the silk sheets on a clothesline outside for better air circulation and a faster drying time; however, avoid the heat of direct sunlight. Dry your silk sheets in a shaded area.
If you’re air-drying the silk sheets indoors, do so in a well-ventilated room. Hand the sheets on a drying rack close to the fan, dehumidifier, or window to reduce drying time and encourage even drying.
Tumble Drying Silk Sheets
It is not advisable to place your silk sheets in a dryer; however, you might prefer this method or lack access to a backyard for air-drying.
Select the lowest heat setting the dryer offers. In some cases, that is the air-fluff setting that utilizes no heat.
Place wool dryer balls inside the dryer to fluff the sheets, eliminate static, and reduce drying time. Wool dryer balls can also infuse natural essential oil scent.
How to Maintain Silk Sheets
- Wash your silk sheets regularly.
Washing your silk sheets at least once a week will preserve the fabric and maintain your hygiene. Wash more frequently if you have allergies or you exercise often.
- Iron when necessary
A silk sheet rarely wrinkles as it reverts to its original form after washing and drying.
When you have to iron a silk sheet, do so when it is damp, and use a cold iron setting on the inside of the sheet where it is non-shiny. An alternative to ironing is hanging the sheets in the shower while you’re showering; the steam will straighten them.
- Store silk sheets well.
Only store the silk sheets when they are dry. Place your silk sheets in a breathable bag – to avoid moisture – in a lowly lit drawer or closet. Silk attracts insects and bugs, so place a suitable moth repellant in the storage area.
- Fix tears
Hand stitch rips along the seams of the silk sheets and patches those on the sheet’s surface. You can also use a no-sew fabric adhesive to fix the rips.
- Remove stains instantly