How To Wash A Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

How do you wash a 100% mulberry silk pillowcase?

1. Read the care label!
2. Turn your mulberry silk pillowcase inside out
3. Set your washing machine to a delicate setting at 20 or 30 degrees
4. Add silk detergent
5. Line dry away from direct sunlight
6. Iron on a silk setting when slightly damp 

Although mulberry silk can be an incredibly durable material in products like bedding and clothing, it requires a little special care. Read on for answers to all the questions we are commonly asked about washing and caring for a mulberry silk pillowcase.

Can you wash mulberry silk pillowcases?

Many people considering switching to a mulberry silk pillowcase worry that they’ll have to deal with the hassle and cost of regular dry cleaning. Fear not! Although you should always check the care label, in general you can wash mulberry silk pillowcase by hand or in a washing machine with cold water on a delicate setting.

Can I put my mulberry silk pillowcase in the washing machine?

You can put your mulberry silk pillowcase in a washing machine if you use a 'wool' or ‘handwash’ cycle, provided the care label states that this is OK (most do). These settings minimise the length of the cycle and the amount of spinning, reducing the risk of breakage.

Check the temperature too. It should be set to 20 or 30 degrees depending on what your care label states. Most modern washing machines with a quality silk detergent will wash really well on such a setting in around 45 minutes.

What Detergent Should You Use For Mulberry Silk?

It's essential to always use a detergent that is specifically designed for silk when washing your Mulberry Silk pillowcase. Although there are many brands available, we recommend and use ourselves Ecover's Wool & Silk Laundry liquid. It's eco-friendly, gentle on the skin and cruelty free.

Image: different silk detergents available on Google, including Ecover

Try to avoid using fabric softener or conditioner as this can compromise the quality of your silk. You can add to its protection by turning it inside out and putting it into a mesh bag before washing.

What Happens If I don't Dry Clean My Mulberry Silk Pillowcase?

It’s a myth that all silk needs to be dry cleaned. So nothing will happen if you don’t dry clean your pillowcase.

How Often Should You Wash A Mulberry Silk Pillowcase?

You can wash mulberry silk products just as regularly as you would other items. If you change your bed linen once a week, you can wash your mulberry silk pillowcase on that cadence too. Just remember not to mix them in the same load. Other materials like cotton sheets require a very different type of machine setting

Can You Tumble Dry Mulberry Silk Pillowcases?

You cannot tumble dry a mulberry silk pillowcase as this can damage and shrink the silk. You should hang dry any mulberry silk items like pillowcases and keep them away from direct sunlight to avoid fading and discolouration.

Can You Iron A Mulberry Silk Pillowcase?

Usually you can iron a mulberry silk pillowcase on a silk setting. However, you must check the label or manufacturer's instructions. 

It’s also much easier if your pillowcase is slightly damp when you start ironing it. It helps the iron glide over the material, and will be dry when you're done.

Things To Avoid When Washing a Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

• Dry cleaning
• Regular detergent
• Tumble Drying
• Drying in the sunshine
• Water that’s too hot
• Hot irons

Video On How to Wash Mulberry Silk Pillowcases

Still not clear? Check out this video for more tips!