How to wash a silk pillowcase so it survives more than a season
4 min read
Water temperature, detergent, drying and the mistakes that destroy silk in a handful of cycles.
The short routine
Cold water, delicate cycle, mesh laundry bag, a pH-neutral or silk-specific detergent, hang to dry indoors. That is the whole method, and it takes no more effort than washing a T-shirt properly.
What destroys silk
Heat is the main killer: hot water and hot dryers break down the protein structure and the fabric goes dull and brittle. Bleach and optical brighteners do the same faster.
Fabric softener coats the fibre and removes the exact glide you paid for. Skip it entirely.
How often, and how to rotate
Weekly if you use overnight skincare or have oily skin; every two weeks otherwise. Owning two cases means one can always be drying, which is also the cheapest way to make both last longer.