In this guide we’ll cover washing, drying and storing your silk bedding. But before you dive elbow deep into suds, you need to choose the right detergent.

To wash silk bedding so that it stays as smooth and vibrant, you should only use a mild, non-alkaline detergent. Harsh chemicals can damage the fabric.

You can use a gentle laundry detergent that’s specially formulated for delicate fabrics and won’t affect the colour of your silk bedding. Better still, you can choose a specialised silk cleaner.

Using a specialised silk cleaner helps to ensure you don’t damage the delicate silk fibres. They’re formulated to be gentle and are designed to work with the unique structure of silk, helping to remove dirt and other stains without damaging the fabric.

Modern silk cleaners are also designed to be safe for use on a variety of different colours and types of silk. That means you can confidently clean your silk bedding without causing discolouration or fading.

Now you’ve got the right detergent, let’s go through how to use it properly.

Read the care label

Always read the care label before washing your silk bedding. It will have specific instructions for cleaning your silk fabric, which will help you get the best results and prevent any damage from occurring.

Pre-soak

To pre-soak silk bedding, submerge it in a sink or bathtub full of cold water. Add a few drops of a mild detergent and let the bedding soak for 5-10 minutes.

The hand-washing process

1. Fill the bucket or sink with cold or lukewarm water (up to 30°C or 86°F).
2. Add your chosen detergent.
3. Soak for 15-30 minutes.
4. Rinse and drain (do not wring).

The machine-washing process

1. Place the silk bedding items in the washing machine.
2. Select a delicate cycle with cold or lukewarm water, up to 30°C or 86°F. 
3. Add your chosen detergent.
4. Start the washing machine and allow the cycle to complete.

Washing tips:

• You can also use a gentle shampoo or a baby shampoo to clean your silk bedding instead of detergent.
• Don’t use fabric softener when washing silk bedding, as it can damage the delicate fibres.
• Always wash your silk bedding with like colours and don’t use bleach. 
• If there’s a stain on your silk bedding, treat it with a mixture of water and baking soda before washing it.
• Avoid wringing or twisting the fabric when it’s wet. Instead, press it lightly with a towel to remove the excess water.
• The ideal temperature for washing silk bedding is 30°C or 86°F. It’s important to avoid higher temperatures than this because they can damage the delicate fibres of the silk.
• You should wash silk bedding every two weeks or so, depending on the level of use.
  

Now you know how to wash silk bedding so well you’ll make your nanna proud. But there’s more to caring for your silk sheets than just the washing. You need to dry and store them properly, too.

Drying your silk bedding

Drying silk bedding isn’t as simple as some of the hardier fabrics. You need to be careful of heat, sunlight and strong winds. Here’s how to use a dryer:

1. Remove the bedding from the washing machine and transfer it to the dryer.
2. Set the dryer to low or no heat and tumble dry until the bedding is almost dry.
3. Remove the bedding from the dryer and hang it on a line or lay it flat to air dry.
   
   

If you don't have a dryer or just don't want to use it, you can hang your silk bedding to dry in a shaded place instead. Make sure it will never be in full sun as the heat and UV rays can change the look and feel of your favourite sheets. You can also lay it flat to dry indoors. Just make sure the fabric is away from direct sunlight and in a well-ventilated space.

Drying tips:

• Air dry away from sunny windows and doors.
• Never use the hot setting in your dryer.
• Do not line dry in the sun or in strong winds.

Storing your silk bedding

The key to proper silk storage is to protect it from dust and other particles. The best way to do that is to use a sealed storage bag or container. You can also store silk bedding in your regular linen cupboard, but make sure it stays cool and dry inside. The other items stored in the cupboard must also be clean and free of dust.

When you’re ready to use your silk bedding again, make sure you air it out first before putting it on the bed.

Need to know more?

Learn how to wash silk pillowcases. As for how to wash silk bedding, here’s a recap of the basics:

1. Always read the care label for specific instructions.
2. Pre-soak bedding in cold water with a few drops of mild detergent for 5-10 minutes.
3. Hand wash up to 30°C/86°F.
4. Machine wash on delicate cycle up to 30°C/86°F.
5. To tumble dry: use on low or no heat until almost dry, hang or lay flat to air dry.
6. To air dry: hang flat and away from sunlight.
7. Store in a sealed storage bag/container for the best protection.
8. Avoid: harsh chemicals, wringing, direct sun, heat and strong winds.

Now you know how to treat your favourite sheets just right. Don’t miss out just because it’s washing day – explore our silk sheets and enjoy silky-sweet dreams on us.