How Often Should I Wash My Silk Bedding Sets?

Silk Sheets are the epitome of luxury, but maintaining them can be a tricky task. To keep your silk bedding feeling smooth and looking vibrant, it's important to know when and how to wash it.

It's intimidating to think about taking care of something as delicate as silk bedding, but don't let it deter you from committing to this luxurious material. With the right knowledge, you can easily transform your bedroom into a true retreat.

In this article, I'll explain everything you need to know about properly caring for your silk bedding. Whether you're looking for tips on removing stains or washing with natural ingredients, by the end of this article you'll have all the information you need to keep your silk bedding feeling fresh and new!

The Basics of Silk Bedding Care

As anyone who’s slept on silk bedding knows, it can be a luxurious experience. But if you want to keep your silk bedding sheets in top condition, there are a few basics you should know about.

First and foremost, you should always follow the washing instructions on the care label. If there is no care label, hand washing with a gentle detergent specifically for silk is probably your safest bet. As for how often to wash your silk bedding, that depends on how often you use them and how fastidious you are; generally speaking, it’s best to clean them every two weeks or so.

When washing your silk sheets, keep temperatures cool; silky fabrics can be sensitive to hot water and heat can cause discoloration or shrinkage. To make sure your sheets are as soft as possible in between washes, hang them out in the sun occasionally and give them a gentle ironing afterward to remove any wrinkles caused by folding in storage.

How Often Should You Wash Silk Bedding?

It may seem counterintuitive to continuously talk care of something that's meant to get dirty, but the truth is, you should clean your silk bedding regularly. Doing so will keep it looking as good as it did when you first bought it, as well as ensuring your silk bedding continues to serve it's purpose—keeping you comfortable and immune from allergies at night.

How often should you wash it? Generally speaking, silk bedding should be washed at least once every three months. But if sweat and body oils accumulate more quickly on your sheets due to the climate or more frequent use due to having visitors over, then washing your sheets every two weeks is ideal.

This doesn't mean that you can't roll around in the sheets with abandon; just make sure that when the time comes for a wash, you tend to them properly—with a dedicated detergent for silk and cold water.

Determining Washing Frequency for Different Types of Silk Bedding

It can be tough to figure out how often you need to wash your silk bedding, but the answer depends on what type of silk bedding you have. We know it sounds confusing, so let's break it down.

• Silk Duvets and Comforters: 

  If you have a silk duvet or comforter, they should be washed at least once or twice a year—you can check the washing instructions for more details. But the key here is to vacuum your duvet or comforter in between each wash—this will help reduce dust build-up and keep it looking nice.

• Silk Pillows and Bolsters: 

  For pillows and bolsters, you'll want to wash them every three months or so—your head sinks into these items every night, which means dirt and oil from your hair and face get trapped in the fabric over time.

• Silk Bedding Sets: 

  Finally, if you have a full silk bedding set (sheets, pillowcases, quilt covers etc), they should be washed every week or two — when you think about how much time we spend lying on our sheets (eight hours!), that means dirt and bacteria builds up quickly.

The Proper Way to Launder Silk Bedding

We know keeping your silk bedding in tip-top shape is a priority, that's why you need to know how to properly launder it. Thankfully, it's not hard—just follow some simple habits and you'll be good to go.

• Cold Water Only: 

  First, make sure you only use cold water when washing your silk bedding. Hot water can cause silk fibers to lose their natural elasticity and dyes to fade faster than usual. It's always best to use cold water for washing, as warm or hot temperature can reduce the life of your silk sheets.

• Gentle Cycle & Mild Detergent: 

  When selecting a detergent pick one that says "mild" or "extra mild" on the bottle. Steer clear of anything labeled "ultra," and enzymes too—those will damage the delicate fibers in the fabric. Then, set your machine on a gentle cycle with a low spin speed. To avoid abrasion from movements in the washer drum, use a delicate lingerie bag—it's like a net laundry bag that protects delicate items from snagging or tangling during a regular wash cycle.

• Let Air Dry Only: 

  Hang up your silk bedding after it's done in the washing machine and let it air dry only—no dryers! And avoid direct sunlight where possible, as UV exposure can dull colors over time (think faded colors). Now you know how to launder your precious silk bedding without ruining it!

Choosing the Right Temperature Settings

When it comes to washing silk bedding, the temperature setting is a big deal. Remember to always use cold water when washing silk—warm or hot water can damage its delicate fibers, resulting in fading and reduced luster. In fact, most silk-cleaning experts recommend using cold water for all cleaning cycles, not just for the main wash.

Additional Tips

You can also try switching off your machine's spin cycle if it's too vigorous. It's important that you make sure your machine isn't over-agitating the fabric after you've loaded it in. Be sure to choose a gentle or delicate cycle on your machine, and always use a mild detergent specifically designed for washing silk fabric. Also, don't forget to opt out of any extra rinse cycles—they can also damage fibers and cause colors to run.

Tips on Drying and Preserving Your Silk Bedding

It's just as important to take care of your silk bedding after it's been washed. To preserve the look, feel and quality of your silk bedding, follow these tips for drying and preserving it.

Hang It Up

When you're finished washing your sheets, the best way to dry them is to hang them up on a clothesline or drying rack in a cool, dry place. Unlike cotton and other synthetic fabrics, silk doesn't handle heat well and can actually become misshapen if put in the dryer.

Ironing Tips

If you need to iron your sheets for a more presentable look before use, be sure to set the iron on the lowest heat setting and place a cloth or pillowcase over the silk sheets when pressing them with an iron. This will help prevent any damage or burns from occurring due to direct contact with high temperature.

Storing Silk Bedding

When storing silk bedding in between uses, it's best to keep it in a cool and dark area (not near any extreme temperatures). Do not store high-quality silk sheets in plastic containers as this can reduce breathability and cause mold or mildew growth. While wools may last better when boxed, you don’t want to do this with silks as this will result in permanent creasing of fabric surfaces which will significantly decrease the lifetime of your sheet set.

Conclusion

To sum up, in order to keep your silk bedding looking and feeling its best, make sure you follow the steps outlined in this article—washing it on low-heat settings, and hand-washing or dry-cleaning it when necessary. Knowing how often to wash it is also important—and it largely depends on how much you use it.

It's worth investing the time and energy required to care for your silk bedding properly, as you can enjoy its beauty, texture, and luxurious feel for a long time if you take good care of it. With the right care and cleaning routine, silk bedding will be able to provide comfort and luxurious feel as well as its unique health benefits, so why not give your bedroom that ultimate touch of luxury?