It’s impossible to conceive of beauty naps made of anything except silk. This is the finest natural cloth to have ever come into contact with your skincare regimen.
As with any other fabric, silk may become stained due to sweat (among other things). You’d need to take proper care of it to ensure that it continues to give the same benefits.
Silk pillowcases are well-known as being more than just fashionable additions to your bed – and with their hair-protecting and skin-smoothing qualities, it’s easy to understand why.
If you do not regularly clean your pores, the attractive cosmetic advantages will be quickly offset by breakout- and grease-causing dirt and oils.
Beyond what is specified on the care label, there are additional wash instructions for delicate textiles. Follow these washing instructions to get the sleep, hair, and skin of your dreams.
It makes no difference whether you clean it by hand or by machine
Due to the complexity of silk, most people recommend handwashing or dry-cleaning it.
However, many people lack time to do so and choose machine washing instead.
The thickness of the silk fabric is critical to consider
If the Momme is greater than 20, it is okay to be in the washing machine.
If the number is less than 20, opt for hand washing instead.
For instance, the Ecosa silk pillows have a Momme grade of 25, suggesting they can be machine cleaned with appropriate care.
Drying by air is suggested.
If you twist silk to eliminate absorbed water, you will have many creases.
It is prudent to use additional caution while handling silk; thus, air-dry it away from direct sunlight.
A delicate cloth requires gentle handling.
Avoid washing your pillowcases/beddings at a higher temperature to prevent the fibers from wearing out.
Especially for silk, which is prone to deterioration.
Maintain a machine’s temperature at or below 30 degrees Celsius.
Turn the silk pillow inside out washes it in a mesh washing bag with a mild detergent.
Utilize a mild detergent, such as dish soap, with a low pH.
Using solid chemicals will only harden the silk (e.g., bleach alkaline).
There are even detergents made particularly for silk on the market.
Wash silk separately from other delicates and caution with laundry items with edges, such as zippers or hooks.
To avoid injury, attempt to run in the shortest feasible rotation.
Make Use of a Mild Detergent
Certain detergents are too harsh for silk, resulting in a rough, scratchy surface. Select a mild detergent, such as a woolen wash, that is effective and gentle on the fibers.
For handwashing, use roughly one teaspoon per sink basin
Depending on the size of the load, two tablespoons to one-fourth cup should be added to the washer.
Avoid Using a Dryer that Has Been Overheated. High temperatures and silk don’t mix, as you may have guessed. The optimum technique is to dry your pillow on a drying rack away from direct heat sources and sunlight.
If time is of the essence, tumble dry on the lowest level and remove the pillow while still somewhat moist.
Vinegar is added to the Rinse Cycle.
Whether you wash by hand or in a machine, always add a few drops of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water. The vinegar aids in the removal of soap residue from the silk strands, leaving them velvety smooth.
Use approximately one-fourth cup throughout the rinse water for handwashing. Add a half-cup to a cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in your washer, depending on the size of the load.
Choose from handwashing & machine-washing options.
Silk may be cleaned by hand or in the washing machine. If you must wash the silk pillowcase, use the gentle cycle and throw it in a plastic laundry bag.
Stains should be pre-treated
Before putting your silk pillowcase in the washer, check it for stains. Then hand washes it. Use your fingertips to gently rub a little quantity of soap into the discoloration. Before washing, give the detergent at least 15-20 minutes to work. As a result, the stain molecules will be easier to break apart. After then, carry on washing in the usual manner.
Vinegar should be added to the Rinse Cycle.
Always add purified white vinegar to the wash water, whether handwashing or using the machine. The vinegar will aid in the removal of any soapy residue from the silk threads, leaving it silky smooth.
In the rinse water, use roughly one-fourth cup for handwashing. Depending on the size of the load, pour one-half cup with one cup of vinegar into the fabric conditioner dispenser in your washer.
Keeping Silk Pillowcases Safe
Never fold silk pillowcases into a tight rectangle with sharp wrinkles while storing them. Fibers may get weakened as a result of this. Please give it a gentle fold or roll before placing the pillowcase on a shelf, wherever it will not be crushed.
Ironing
If your pillowcase seems too wrinkled, iron it at the coldest temperature level on your iron. Always use a press cloth or a clean, white cotton cloth between iron and silk to avoid burning. Fibers that have been boiled cannot be restored. Never iron in sharp wrinkles, and always iron flat.
What Are Some of the Advantages of Silk Pillowcases?
Silk is a natural fabric created by silkworms that eat mulberry leaves and weave a cocoon of long, glossy threads. The fibers are extracted from the cocoons by boiling them in water and then spun into yarns for weaving. Silk textiles are durable, wrinkle-resistant, absorbent, hypoallergenic, and may be woven with a smooth finish. Silk textiles are ideal for beds because of these characteristics.
Because it is a natural fiber, it has fewer chemicals than artificial textiles such as microfiber manufactured from petroleum-based products.
Silk fibers aid in the retention of moisture in the skin, which can assist in avoiding dryness.
Silk’s silky feel helps to prevent hair breakage & tangling.
How frequently should a silk pillowcase be washed?
To minimize bacteria accumulation, wash your silk pillows once a week, just like any other cover. Add it to the weekly to-do list to benefit your skin, hair, and even pillows. After all, you rest on them every night, and it’s vital to keep in mind that your body oils will eventually build on your bedding.
When should a silk pillowcase be replaced?
“If properly cared for, your silk pillowcases will last a long time,” Whiting and Boyd add. If you want your silk mattress covers to last longer, use mild treatments designed for the delicate fabric.
“Unless you have tears or other defects to the fabric, don’t see any need to replace them,” the pair says.
Silk is a delicate material that demands special attention, and pillowcases made of it are no exception. Handwashing with a light cleaner once a week is ideal, but you may throw them in the machine if you’re in a hurry. Silk pillows will last (practically) forever if you don’t wash them in hot water, put them in the dryer, iron them, or bleach them.
Should You Wash Silk Pillowcases by Hand or by Machine?
You may avoid going to the dry cleaners by washing your silk pillows at home using natural solutions. Whether you prefer to machine wash or hand wash your silk pillowcases, they demand careful handling.
Although hand washing silk pillowcases requires more effort, it is the preferred cleaning method. Fill a big tub halfway with cold water & gently silk soap. Soak the silk pillowcases in the water and gently stir them with your hands. Rinse well with cold water. Allow water, soap, & gentle agitation to clean the silk instead of rubbing or scrubbing it.
If you’re washing by machine, use a gentle cycle and cold water, and avoid bleach or chemical cleansers.
What Kind of Detergent Should You Use When Washing Silk Pillowcases?
It’s just as essential what you use to wash your silk pillows as it is how you wash them. Chemical detergents that are too harsh can damage silk, stiffen the fibers, & leave a residue on your skin.
Instead, for natural fabrics, use a natural detergent. The finest silk soaps will have a neutral pH but may be designed explicitly for silk or natural fibers. Choose environmentally friendly detergents labeled “delicates” or “silk and wool.”
There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to washing silk pillowcases.
The most effortless cleaning procedure is ideal for silk in most situations. Avoid using bleach,
fabric softener, brighteners, or even other laundry chemicals when cleaning silk. These items can harm and discolor your lovely silk pillowcases or even other silk linens. Also, keep your silk away from direct sunshine when drying or storing it.
Silk Pillowcases: How to Dry Them
Silks must be cleaned and dried with care, just as they must be washed. Drying your silk pillowcases is not a good idea. Don’t wring or squeeze your silk pillows.
Instead, place a couple of white towels on the floor and roll your silk pillows in them to absorb any extra moisture. If you want to dry your silk outside, keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid damaging the strands and fading the color.
