Silk feels delicate, so it is tempting to wash it as rarely as possible. On the other hand, it is the fabric your face rests on every night. Most people end up unsure whether they are washing their silk pillowcase too often or not often enough.
The short answer: wash a silk pillowcase about once a week, the same as any other pillowcase. Wash it sooner if you sleep warm, use rich skincare or hair products, or have breakout-prone skin. Gentle washing does not harm good silk. Hot water, harsh detergent and the tumble dryer do.
Why about once a week
A pillowcase collects skin oil, sweat, traces of skincare and hair product, whatever it is made of. Silk tends to absorb less than cotton, but that does not mean it stays clean. Some of what cotton would soak up simply sits on the surface of silk instead.
A weekly wash keeps the fabric fresh and keeps the silk itself in good condition. Oils left in the fibers for a long time can dull the sheen and are harder to wash out later.
When to wash it sooner
Once a week is a starting point. Some situations call for more.
| Your situation | A sensible rhythm |
|---|---|
| Most sleepers | About once a week |
| You sleep warm or it is summer | Twice a week |
| Heavy night creams, face oils or hair oils | Twice a week |
| Oily or breakout-prone skin | Every two or three nights |
| You have been ill | As soon as you feel better |
| Guest pillow, rarely used | After each guest |
These are common-sense guidelines, not rules. If the pillowcase looks or smells less than fresh, wash it.
Does frequent washing wear silk out?
Washing itself is not the problem. The way it is washed is. Silk is a protein fiber, a little like your own hair, and it reacts badly to the same things: heat, harsh cleansers and rough handling.
A cold, gentle wash once or twice a week is well within what a good mulberry silk pillowcase is made for. Heavier silk tends to cope with regular washing a little better, which is one reason some people choose 22 momme. Our guide to what momme means in silk explains the difference.
How to wash it gently
- Turn it inside out and close the zipper if it has one.
- Use a mesh laundry bag if you are machine washing, so it does not rub against other items.
- Choose cold water and the gentle or delicate cycle, or wash by hand in a basin.
- Use a pH-neutral or silk detergent. No bleach, and no fabric softener.
- Do not wring it. Press the water out, or roll the pillowcase in a clean towel.
- Dry it in the shade, flat or on a hanger, away from direct sun and radiators.
The full method, including ironing and stain care, is in how to wash and care for your silk pillowcase. And if you are wondering about speeding things up, read can you put silk in the dryer first.
Why two pillowcases make this easier
The real obstacle to washing silk weekly is drying time. Silk air dries fairly quickly, but usually not between morning and bedtime in a cool room.
The simple fix is to own two and rotate them. One is on the bed while the other is washed and dried without any rush. Each one is also washed half as often, so both last longer. If you want a lighter weight that dries faster, the 19 momme mulberry silk pillowcase is a practical second case. The 22 momme pillowcase is the fuller one, in Standard, Queen and King.
Small habits that keep it fresh between washes
- Go to bed with a clean face and let your skincare sink in for a few minutes first.
- Sleep with dry hair. A damp pillowcase gets musty faster.
- Turn the pillow over midweek. KINT pillowcases are silk on both sides, so either face is the same.
- Pull the covers back in the morning and let the bed air before you make it.
Questions people ask
Can I wash a silk pillowcase with my other laundry?
Yes, if the load is cold, gentle and made up of similar colors and soft fabrics. Keep it in a mesh bag and away from anything with hooks, zippers or rough texture, like towels and jeans.
Do I need to wash a new silk pillowcase before using it?
It is a good idea. A first gentle wash freshens the fabric after packaging and lets you check the color on its own before it goes in with anything else.
Is hand washing better than machine washing?
Hand washing is the gentlest option. A cold delicate cycle in a mesh bag is a reasonable everyday alternative for most silk pillowcases. Check the care label on yours.
If you are ready for a second one to rotate, see all our silk pillowcases.
