Silk is a protein fibre like wool, so biological detergents dissolve it too. This is the single most common way silk garments are ruined.
How to wash silk
| Garment | Wash | Dry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silk | cold, 30°C (86°F) maximum | flat or on a padded hanger, never in sun | pH-neutral, no enzymes, no bleach |
Use a hand wash, or delicates in a mesh bag cycle and pH-neutral, no enzymes, no bleach. Sunlight degrades silk faster than almost any other fabric — it yellows and weakens. Dry it in shade and store it in the dark.
Drying and ironing
Dry flat or on a padded hanger, never in sun. For ironing: cool, inside out, slightly damp.
Deodorant and perspiration are more damaging to silk than dirt. The aluminium salts in antiperspirant permanently stain and weaken the fibre.
How long it should last
Five to twenty years, almost entirely determined by sun and sweat exposure.
Quick reference
Silk at a glance
- Wash: cold, 30°C (86°F) maximum
- Cycle: hand wash, or delicates in a mesh bag
- Detergent: pH-neutral, no enzymes, no bleach
- Dry: flat or on a padded hanger, never in sun
- Iron: cool, inside out, slightly damp