How to Wash Silk (and What to Avoid While You’re at It)
Silk at its finest means a bra, slip, or pair of underwear you really love and probably don’t want to ruin in the wash. And by ruin, I mean shrinking it, changing the texture, or finding out far too late that whatever you just did to it isn’t reversible. The good news: Washing silk doesn’t automatically mean a trip to the cleaners (unless you’d rather leave it to them)—or involve much more than cool water, a mild detergent, and a towel.
The best way to wash silk underwear is to read the care label before anything else, use cool water, avoid harsh detergents, then press out excess water instead of wringing the fabric. After comparing the most common care methods, we’ve found that hand-washing is usually the best place to start for washable silk, while some pieces can handle a delicate machine cycle. Here’s how to do it.
Meet the Expert
Kristina is the co-founder of Murashki, a New York-based designer lingerie and ready-to-wear label. The brand’s name comes from the Russian word for “goosebumps,” reflecting the feeling of excitement and pleasure the designer hopes to evoke.
Check the Care Label, Always
It’s tempting to treat all silk the same, but the care label is there for a reason. Some pieces can handle a delicate machine cycle, others are better off being hand-washed, and a few really are dry-clean-only. The care label is the tiny tag that tells you exactly how yours needs to be washed (so yes, unfortunately, we have to read it).
Kristina almost always prefers hand-washing when it comes to silk lingerie because “it is the gentlest way to care for the fabric and helps preserve its softness, shape, and delicate finish over time.” But she also points out that some silk garments can go in the washing machine if the label gives you the green light. In that case, use cold water, a silk or delicate cycle, a gentle detergent, and a mesh laundry bag. She also suggests skipping a high-speed spin, which can be rough on the fibers.
How to Wash Silk
Silk has a reputation for being difficult to care for, but the actual hand-washing part is pretty simple. Kristina recommends cool water and a gentle liquid detergent, or one made specifically for silk. Let the piece soak for about five to 10 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly in cool water.
From there, resist the urge to twist or wring it out. Kristina says to try gently pressing out the excess water instead, which helps protect the fabric. “For silk lingerie, we always prefer hand-washing,” she explains. It takes a few more minutes than tossing everything into the machine, but not many, and it can help the silk hold up better over time.
How to Dry Silk
Once the washing is done, skip the dryer. If the piece — be it a chemise, bra, or something else — still has quite a bit of water in it, Kristina suggests placing it between two clean towels and lightly pressing, which helps absorb the moisture without twisting or stretching the fabric.
From there, let it air-dry, preferably laid flat or supported so it keeps its shape. Direct sunlight, radiators, and other heat sources are best avoided because they can affect the color and weaken the fibers. Kristina boils it down to “no heat, no aggressive handling.” Our editors would say this is mostly a matter of giving it time.
What to Avoid When Washing Silk
Twisting and wringing are two of the biggest things to skip with silk, especially while it’s wet. The fibers are more delicate at that point, and as Kristina notes, rough handling can stretch or damage them. High heat belongs on the no list too, whether that’s hot water, a dryer, or leaving the piece near a radiator.
The same goes for harsh detergent and aggressive machine cycles. If the care label allows machine washing, the designer favors cold water, a delicate or silk setting, and a mesh laundry bag (plus no high-speed spin). And if you’re dealing with wrinkles afterward, don’t crank the iron up. She recommends the lowest setting, ideally around 140 to 175°F, with the silk turned inside out and a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric.
“A steamer is also an excellent option for silk and is often the easiest way to remove wrinkles without direct contact with the fabric,” she adds.
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