Silk is a delicate natural fiber and should be cared for more gently than many everyday textiles. It is important to make a distinction here: silk bed linen and silk pillowcases made of silk fabric are cared for differently than duvets or pillows with a silk filling.
The short answer: Washable silk bed linen and silk pillowcases can generally be washed at up to 30 °C with a suitable silk detergent and a gentle wash cycle, in accordance with the care label. Products with a silk filling, on the other hand, should be treated according to their specific product care instructions.
Can you wash silk bed linen in the washing machine?
Many silk duvet covers and silk pillowcases can be machine washed, provided the care label allows it.
Select a silk or delicate cycle with a low temperature and low mechanical agitation. For washable silk bed linen, temperatures of up to 30 °C are often suitable.
A laundry bag can offer additional protection against mechanical stress. Try not to wash silk together with textiles that have zippers, hooks, Velcro fasteners, or rough surfaces.
The care label on the respective product is always the deciding factor.
At what temperature should you wash silk?
Washable silk fabrics should not be exposed to unnecessarily high temperatures. For many silk duvet covers and pillowcases, up to 30 °C is sufficient.
Higher temperatures can put more strain on the fibers, color, and surface of the fabric.
Which detergent is suitable for silk?
For silk, a detergent should be used that is expressly suitable for silk or delicate textiles.
Standard heavy-duty detergents are not always suitable for delicate silk fibers. A suitable silk detergent is therefore the better choice.
Does silk need fabric softener?
Normal fabric softener is not necessary for silk. The smooth and supple surface is created by the silk fiber and the processing of the fabric itself.
Additional care products should only be used if they are specifically suitable for silk.
How do you wash silk by hand?
If the care label specifies hand washing or a particularly delicate silk product needs to be cleaned carefully, silk can also be washed by hand.
- Use lukewarm water.
- Add a small amount of suitable silk detergent.
- Gently move the textile in the water.
- Do not rub or scrub vigorously.
- Then rinse carefully.
- Do not wring out or twist.
Can silk be spin-dried?
Heavy spin-drying should be avoided. If the care label allows for machine washing, a low spin speed or the designated silk or delicate program is recommended.
Wet silk should not be wrung out or twisted forcefully, as this puts mechanical stress on the fabric.
How do you dry silk properly?
Silk bed linen and silk pillowcases should be air-dried as gently as possible.
Avoid strong direct sunlight and direct heat from radiators. You should only use a tumble dryer if this is expressly permitted on the care label.
After washing, the fabric can be carefully shaped and then dried according to the care instructions.
Can you iron silk?
If the care label allows, silk can be carefully ironed at a low temperature.
High heat should be avoided. For delicate silk fabrics, it can be useful to iron on the reverse side or place a thin cloth between the fabric and the iron.
How do you care for a silk pillowcase?
For a washable silk pillowcase, the same rules generally apply as for silk bed linen: low temperature, gentle wash cycle, and a detergent suitable for silk.
Gentle care reduces mechanical stress on the fine, smooth fabric surface.
You can find our various sizes and colors under Mulberry silk pillowcases.
How do you care for silk bed linen?
For duvet covers and pillowcases made of silk fabric, zippers or other fasteners should be closed before washing, unless the product-specific care instructions state otherwise.
If possible, wash silk bed linen separately from textiles with rough surfaces or metal parts that could cause mechanical stress to the fine fabric.
You can find our duvet covers and matching pillowcases under Mulberry silk bed linen.
How do you care for silk duvets and silk pillows?
A silk duvet or silk pillow is constructed differently than a duvet cover made of silk fabric. In this case, the silk acts as a filling material inside the product. Therefore, the washing instructions for silk bed linen cannot automatically be applied to products with a silk filling.
Before first use, a silk duvet can first be aired out and gently shaken. Regular airing can also help to keep the duvet fresh during later use.
Avoid unnecessarily pulling, twisting, or compressing the silk filling. For cleaning and washing, always refer to the care instructions for the specific duvet or pillow model.
You can find our different models under Silk duvets with silk filling.
How do you wash and dry a wild silk duvet?
With a wild silk duvet, the silk is usually inside the duvet as a filling. Therefore, it should not be treated like silk bed linen made of silk fabric.
Whether a wild silk duvet may be washed depends entirely on the care label of the respective model. The care instructions for washable silk bed linen – for example, machine wash at 30 °C – may not automatically be applied to a duvet with a wild silk filling.
Product-specific care instructions are also crucial for drying. A wild silk duvet should not be wrung out, twisted, or mechanically stressed unnecessarily. In daily use, regular airing can help keep the duvet fresh if no cleaning is required.
You can find out more about the different types of silk and their use in duvets in the guide "Mulberry silk or wild silk? Differences and uses explained".
How do you store a silk duvet?
If a silk duvet is not used for a long period, it should be stored completely dry and clean.
Keep the duvet as dry and airy as possible and avoid strong, permanent compression. The silk filling should not be unnecessarily compressed for a long time.
Before using it again, the duvet can be aired out and gently shaken.
Does the momme count affect care?
Momme describes the fabric weight of a silk fabric. For example, a fabric with 22 momme has more weight per surface area than a comparable fabric with 19 momme.
However, a higher momme count does not mean that silk becomes more durable or can be washed more vigorously. The care instructions for the specific product apply regardless of the momme count.
We explain what 19, 22, and 25 momme actually mean in the guide "What does momme mean for silk? Quality, 6A, and standards explained".
The most important rules for silk care
- Always check the care label first.
- Washable silk fabrics should generally be washed at a maximum of 30 °C.
- Use a silk or delicate wash cycle.
- Use a suitable silk detergent.
- Use a laundry bag if necessary.
- Do not rub, twist, or wring out silk vigorously.
- Spin-dry gently only.
- Air-dry silk bed linen if possible.
- Avoid strong direct sunlight and radiator heat.
- Only iron according to the care label and at a low temperature.
- For duvets and pillows with a silk filling, always observe the product-specific care instructions.
- Store silk duvets in a dry place and do not compress them heavily for long periods.
Conclusion: Care for silk fabric and silk filling differently
Silk bed linen and silk pillowcases are easy to care for in everyday life if handled correctly. Low temperatures, low mechanical stress, and a suitable detergent are decisive factors.
In the case of silk duvets and silk pillows, however, it must be taken into account that the silk is used as a filling inside. The respective product-specific care instructions apply here.
Those who distinguish between silk fabric and silk filling and observe the care instructions will avoid the most common mistakes in caring for silk products.
Frequently asked questions about caring for silk
Can you wash silk at 30 °C?
Many washable silk duvet covers and silk pillowcases can be washed at up to 30 °C. However, the care label of the respective product is always the deciding factor.
Can you wash silk with normal detergent?
A detergent specifically suitable for silk or delicate textiles is preferable. Normal heavy-duty detergents are not always suitable for delicate silk fibers.
Can silk go in the dryer?
Silk fabrics should be air-dried whenever possible. You should only use a tumble dryer if the care label of the specific product expressly allows it.
Can you iron silk?
If the care label allows, silk can be carefully ironed at a low temperature. High heat should be avoided.
Can you wash a silk duvet in the washing machine?
The washing instructions for silk bed linen may not automatically be applied to a duvet with a silk filling. Whether and how a silk duvet can be cleaned depends on the care instructions of the specific model.
How do you store a silk duvet?
A silk duvet should be stored completely dry and in as airy a place as possible. Strong, permanent compression of the filling should be avoided.
