Start with the care label on your silk pillowcase. For a pillowcase that allows washing in water, use cool water, preferably below 30°C (86°F), unless its care label specifies a lower limit. Add a measured amount of liquid detergent labeled suitable for silk, then hand-wash or machine-wash as permitted, rinse thoroughly, press out water with a clean towel, and air-dry in shade as directed.
Can you skip the detergent? Water can rinse a washable pillowcase, but it isn’t our recommended way to clean everyday skin oils and skincare residue. For routine washing, use a silk-suitable laundry detergent.
Before You Fill the Basin
Read the wash and drying directions together, and check the detergent’s silk compatibility and dose. A Hand Wash label rules out a machine cycle; a Do Not Wash label rules out a home water wash. If the label is missing or unclear, clarify the instructions before washing.
For washable silk, gather a clean basin or sink, a silk-suitable liquid detergent, and clean, colorfast towels. For machine washing, you’ll also need a roomy mesh laundry bag.
For THXSILK pieces, wash one piece at a time, whether you’re washing by hand or using a label-permitted machine cycle.
Leave chlorine and oxygen bleach, fabric softener and scent boosters out of the wash. Silk is a protein-based fiber, which is why we avoid detergents containing protease enzymes in our silk-care routine.
Deal With Light Marks Before Washing
Everyday sweat, skin oils or light buildup: go straight to the regular wash below. Local pretreatment isn’t a required part of every wash.
A visible oily mark, skincare smear or other stain: lift excess residue with a clean white cloth. If the care label and cleaner’s directions allow pretreatment, test the silk-suitable detergent, diluted as directed, on a hidden area. Follow its application and rinsing instructions, let the area dry, then check for color loss, a ring or a noticeable texture change. Stop if any appears, or if color transfers during the test.
If the test area is unchanged, dab the mark from its edge inward without scrubbing or applying concentrated detergent directly to dry silk, then wash the whole pillowcase.
For an old yellow mark or an unidentified stain, ask us or a cleaner experienced with silk before trying a stronger treatment.
Wash by Hand, or Use the Machine Only if the Label Allows
Hand-Washing Steps
If your label permits hand washing, follow these steps:
- Prepare the water. Clean the basin so no household cleaner remains. Fill it with fresh, cool water within the pillowcase label’s temperature limit. Measure the silk detergent for your basin and water volume according to its instructions, and dissolve it before adding the fabric.
- Wash gently. Place the pillowcase in the solution. Our THXSILK hand-wash routine is to move it gently for about 3–5 minutes, within any stricter instructions on the item or detergent. Ease water through the fabric rather than rubbing it against itself, without twisting or stretching. This is the washing time, not an extra soak.
- Drain and rinse. Support the wet pillowcase while you empty the basin. Refill with fresh, cool water and gently rinse. Change the water as needed to remove the detergent thoroughly; don’t add more cleaner during rinsing.
- Lift with support. Gather the wet fabric rather than letting the whole pillowcase hang from one corner. Carry it to a clean towel for gentle water removal.
If You’re Machine-Washing
Use this route only when your finished pillowcase’s label permits machine washing.
- Turn it inside out where its construction allows, close any zipper, and put it in a mesh bag with room for the fabric to move.
- Use the measured amount of silk-suitable detergent specified for machine washing.
- Select a Silk, Hand Wash or Delicate program that matches the care label, with cool water and low mechanical action. Use the lowest spin setting allowed by the care label, or skip spinning when appropriate; leave heavy-soil, steam and sanitizing options off.
- Let the cycle complete its rinsing, then remove the pillowcase promptly.
Remove Water Gently and Air-Dry
Lay the pillowcase on a clean, colorfast towel. Fold the towel over it and press gently to absorb water. Don’t wring the pillowcase or twist the towel tightly around it.
Gently arrange the pillowcase into shape without pulling it, then air-dry as its label directs, away from strong sunlight and direct heat. We recommend shade air-drying for our silk pillowcases, not tumble drying. Don’t use a radiator or hair dryer to hurry the process.
Let it dry completely before putting it back on your pillow or storing it. Drying time varies, so check the fabric rather than working to a fixed number of hours.
If Something Still Doesn’t Seem Right
It Feels Stiff or Has a Residue
Check the detergent dose and whether it rinsed out thoroughly. If the label permits washing and leftover detergent seems possible, try a fresh-water rinse without adding cleaner, followed by the same gentle drying method.
It Still Has an Odor or a Mark
For a lingering odor, first make sure the pillowcase is completely dry. Smell alone doesn’t tell you what’s causing the odor or identify a stain.
If an odor or mark persists after the permitted wash and complete drying, contact us about care for your THXSILK piece or consult a silk-experienced cleaner before trying stronger treatment.
The Color or Fabric Is Changing
Stop if a hidden-area test lifts color, a pale patch develops, a stain spreads, or the weave looks distorted. Keep the care label and details of the products you used for advice about the next step. More washing is not a reliable way to reverse fading, shrinkage or fabric damage.
Quick Care Questions
How Often Should I Wash a Silk Pillowcase?
For THXSILK pillowcases that permit washing, every 7–10 nights is our starting point. Wash sooner after heavy sweating, visible soil, or a noticeable buildup of skincare or hair products.
Can I Use Baby Shampoo to Wash Silk?
Choose a laundry detergent that explicitly lists silk as suitable. Names such as “baby shampoo,” “dish soap” or “mild cleaner” don’t establish that a formula meets our silk-care requirements.
Can I Iron a Silk Pillowcase?
Only if its care label allows it. Work on the reverse side with a clean pressing cloth, using the temperature specified for the item.
Keep Your Silk Pillowcase Care Simple
For your next routine wash, keep it simple: the permitted method, a silk-suitable cleaner, thorough rinsing and gentle drying. Our silk care guide has more detail for individual THXSILK categories and care questions.