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How to Care for Your Silk

Silk is much easier to care for than you might think. Don't be swayed by the misconception that silk is extremely delicate. Your mulberry silk bedding just needs a touch more attention. Your silk sheet set, accessories, robe and pillowcase can be laundered in a machine or by hand. If you opt for machine washing, be sure to follow the guidelines below to ensure your silk remains gorgeous for the long haul.

Click here for a guide on the Do's and Dont's of Caring for your Silk or view additional Care Instructions and FAQs

Silk Pillowcase Care

Machine-washing Silk Pillowcases

  1. Turn silk pillowcases inside out before washing to maintain luster
  2. Put silk pillowcases into a mesh "delicates" bag and zip shut.
  3. Use a gentle luxury silk detergent (like Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent) in a silk-only load.
  4. Wash silk pillowcases with the same frequency as other types of pillowcases, when dirty or stained.
  5. Avoid using the dryer; if necessary, use only the "air" setting as silk dries quickly.

Hand-washing Silk pillowcases

  1. Fill a clean basin or sink with lukewarm water.
  2. Add a small amount of gentle silk-friendly detergent and mix gently.
  3. Soak the pillowcases briefly and swish them gently to clean.
  4. Rinse the pillowcases with clean, lukewarm water, and avoid wringing the fabric.
  5. Remove excess water by gently squeezing or rolling in a clean towel.
  6. Air dry the pillowcases away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Silk Sheets & Duvets Care

How to Wash Silk Duvet Cover & Sheets

  1. Turn pillowcases inside out before washing.
  2. In regard to zippered duvet covers and pillowcases: We recommend closing the zipper before washing to prevent catching, snagging or damage to the delicate silk fabric.
  3. Place silk sheets and pillowcases in a large mesh laundry bag.
  4. Choose a delicate cycle with cold water for machine washing.
  5. Line or hang dry the silk sheets and pillowcases away from direct sunlight.
  6. Do not wring or twist silk; blot with a white towel to remove moisture.

How to Care For Downtown Duvet Inserts and Silk Blanket

Alpine Loft Down Alternative Duvet Insert: Machine wash cold, dry on low heat until complete dry. Wool Dryer Balls Recommended.

Lily Duvet Insert: Dry Clean Only

Calla Lily Duvet Insert: For best results, dry clean

Natural Maize Duvet Insert:
Dry Clean Only

Brushed Natural Mulberry Silk Blankets: Dry Clean Only

Silk Robe Care

  1. Place your robe inside a zippered mesh laundry bag to protect it from damage.
  2. Pre-treat any stains prior to washing (see below for more information on stain removal).
    Wash your robe either by itself or in a silk-only load (for example, with pillowcases or sheets) as other fabrics can damage silk in the wash.
  3. Remove your robe after the wash and gently shake it out (do not wring). Hang your robe and belt or lay it flat to dry away from direct sunlight, which can cause it to fade.
  4. Don’t put your silk robe in the dryer, as heat can damage the natural fibers.
  5. There is no need to iron your silk robe. With a wearing or two, the wrinkles will release on their own. You can choose to steam it or, if you must iron, do so on the coolest setting; press quickly from the reverse side; and use a clean white towel in between the iron and the silk. Use the same process for pressing out the sash.

Silk Accessories Care

Head Scarves, Sleep Bonnets, Glam Bands, Sleep Masks, Scrunchies, & Lavender Eye Pillows

Machine Washing Silk Accessories

  1. Use a fine mesh laundry bag, small size, for machine washing.
  2. Choose a delicate cycle with cold water.
  3. Once the cycle is complete, line or hang dry the accessories away from direct sunlight.
  4. Avoid using the dryer or exposing silk items to direct sunlight indoors or outdoors.
  5. Note: Do not wring or twist silk; instead, blot with a white towel to absorb moisture.

Hand-Washing Silk Accessories:

  1. Fill a sink or small basin with cool water.
  2. Add ½ tablespoon of enzyme-free Silk & Wool detergent like Heritage Park.
  3. Gently agitate the water and let the silk accessories soak briefly.
  4. Rinse with cool water and blot with a cotton towel to remove excess moisture.
  5. Lay the accessories flat or hang them to dry away from direct sunlight.

Caring for your Lavender Eye Pillow

  1. Make sure to remove the Silk Cover from the Lavender Eye Pillow before washing.
  2. Fill a sink or small basin with cool water.
  3. Add ½ a tablespoon of enzyme-free Silk & Wool detergent like Heritage Park to the water.
  4. Place the eye pillow cover into the water and lightly agitate it to distribute the detergent.
  5. Rinse the eye pillow cover with cool water to remove any soap residue.
  6. Blot the eye pillow cover with a cotton towel to absorb excess moisture.
  7. Lay the eye pillow cover flat or hang it to dry, away from direct sunlight. Avoid using the dryer, as heat can damage silk fibers.

Silk Stain Removal

To remove a blood stain, place your robe under the faucet and run water through the reverse side to “force” the stain out. Cold water is quite effective at removing blood (do not use warm water or hot water, which will cause the blood to coagulate and become more difficult to remove).
For a sweat stain, use a mild solution of white vinegar and water and soak the robe prior to washing.

For tough stains that do not rinse out with these methods, it is okay to use a mild detergent made for fine fabric to pre-soak your robe. We recommend Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent, which is a plant-based formula with a proprietary enzyme blend. Again, this should be done only on a limited basis for difficult stains, not for regular washing of your silk (although Heritage Park All-Purpose Detergent is perfect for regular washing of other fabrics like cotton, synthetics, and blends). Use a mild solution of lukewarm water in a sink or basin with a tablespoon or so detergent and soak your robe prior to washing (no longer than 30 minutes). You can also try a commercial stain remover, as long as it is marked safe for silk. In these cases, we always recommend testing on an inconspicuous area of the fabric.

Can I Iron Silk?

Yes, you can!

If you are going to iron silk, follow these basic instructions:

Use an ironing board and an iron that has a dedicated silk setting. If your iron does not have a silk setting, use the lowest temperature to start; only increase slightly when and if needed.

Make sure that both your ironing board and the surface of your iron are immaculately clean. Silk stains very easily, and any residual stains on these surfaces will be far more likely to transfer to silk due to the heat.

You may also use a clean white cotton sheet between the silk item and the ironing board as well as a "press cloth" so you don't touch the iron directly on to the silk fabric. This makes more sense when you are ironing silk clothing as opposed to silk sheets.

Silk is best ironed while slightly damp. Do NOT wring out your silk sheets or clothing. Instead, air dry them out of direct sunlight until they are nearly dry.

Turn the silk inside out (you will be ironing the "wrong" side of the item). For Mulberry Park Silks charmeuse sheets, this means you will NOT be ironing the shiny side, but instead, the matte side.

Spot test iron in a discreet location to make certain it will not burn.

Move iron quickly across the surface of the silk; do not use a back and forth motion which can cause scorch marks. If you are ironing clothing, or a pillowcase or sheet set with only light wrinkles, use the press cloth between your iron and the silk and gently press out the wrinkles as opposed to moving back and forth.

Only iron the MINIMUM amount necessary and DO NOT steam iron silk. The steaming moisture from your iron can stain silk fabric.