A sleep mask is easy to forget on laundry day. It is small, it does not look dirty, and it lives on the nightstand instead of in the hamper. But it spends every night pressed against your face, picking up eye cream, skin oil and whatever mascara you missed.
Silk needs a gentler hand than a cotton T-shirt, and a mask has padding and a strap to think about as well. The good news is that washing one takes about five minutes.
The short answer: hand wash your silk sleep mask in cold water with a little silk or pH-neutral detergent, press the water out in a towel without wringing, and let it dry flat in the shade. No bleach, no tumble dryer. Always check the care label on your own mask first.
How often to wash it
There is no strict rule, but once a week is a sensible habit if you wear it every night. Wash it sooner if you use rich night creams or oils, if you have worn it over makeup, if you have been ill, or after a trip. If the fabric looks dull or feels a little stiff around the eyes, it is overdue.
Having two masks makes this much easier. One is always dry and ready while the other is being washed.
What you need
- A clean basin or sink
- Cold water
- A detergent made for silk or delicates, pH-neutral, with no bleach or brighteners
- A clean, light-colored towel
Leave out fabric softener. Silk does not need it, and it can leave a film on the fibers.
How to hand wash a silk sleep mask
- Fill the basin with cold water and add a few drops of detergent. Swirl it so it is fully mixed before the mask goes in.
- Close any fastening on the strap so it cannot catch the silk.
- Put the mask in and move it gently through the water for a minute or two. Do not rub the silk against itself and do not scrub.
- Press lightly on any marks with your fingertips. A makeup stain may need a second gentle wash. Hard rubbing roughens the surface and leaves a dull patch.
- Rinse in clean cold water until there are no suds left. Padding holds on to detergent, so rinse a little longer than you think you need to.
- Lay the mask flat on the towel, fold the towel over it and press. Do not twist or wring. That is what pulls a mask out of shape.
How to dry it
Reshape the mask with your hands and leave it flat on a dry towel or a drying rack, in the shade, with air moving around it. Keep it away from direct sun, radiators and hair dryers. Strong heat and sunlight are hard on silk and can fade the color.
Do not put it in the tumble dryer, even on a low setting. We explain why in can you put silk in the dryer. A padded mask takes longer to dry than a pillowcase, so wash it in the morning and it will usually be ready by bedtime. Make sure it is dry all the way through before you wear it or put it away.
What about the washing machine?
Hand washing is the safest method for something this small and padded, and it is what we would do. If the care label on your mask allows machine washing and you prefer it, be careful about it: put the mask in a fine mesh laundry bag, choose a delicate or silk cycle with cold water and a low spin, and wash it only with other soft, light items. Keep it away from zippers, hooks and towels.
Contoured masks need the most care. A 3D sleep mask has molded cups that give it its shape, and a hard spin or a twist can flatten them. Wash these by hand, press the water out, and let them dry with the cups facing up. A flat mask such as the Classic Silk Sleep Mask is simpler, but the same gentle rules apply.
Keeping it clean between washes
- Let your eye cream and moisturizer sink in for a few minutes before you put the mask on.
- Take off your eye makeup first. Mascara is the hardest thing to get out of silk.
- Put the mask on with clean hands.
- Keep it in a drawer or a pouch during the day, not loose on the nightstand or at the bottom of a handbag.
Questions people ask
Can I wash my sleep mask with my silk pillowcase?
Yes, if the colors are similar and both are being washed gently in cold water. The method is nearly the same, and you can read it in full in how to wash and care for your silk pillowcase.
Can I iron a silk sleep mask?
You rarely need to, since the padding keeps the surface smooth. If a flat mask has creased, use the lowest setting on the reverse side while it is still slightly damp, or a little steam. Do not iron molded cups.
A mask that is washed gently and dried in the shade keeps its smooth feel far longer than one that is forgotten for months and then scrubbed. If yours is past saving, or you would like a second one to rotate, you can find our silk sleep masks here. And if you are not sure which shape to pick, read how to choose a sleep mask first.
