So you finally purchased your first ever pillowcase - Best. Choice. Ever!

Now the big question is, “How often should you wash your silk pillowcase?” If you know nothing about silk pillowcases, how to care for them, and all that jazz, worry not - we’re here to ease your worries and give you everything you need to know to make your silk pillowcase last a very loooong time.

Let’s get straight to it - how often should you wash silk pillowcases? Silk pillowcases are best washed every 7 to 10 days, the same as any bedding. This is a proper timeframe for washing a pillowcase early enough to prevent dirt buildup without washing it too often or wearing out the fabric.

Alongside the right frequency to wash silk pillowcases, this blog post is also all about the benefits of washing and how to wash your silk pillowcases properly so you can prolong their quality. We also share tips on how to keep your pillowcase looking and feeling clean, fresh, and smooth. Lastly, look out for our secret Pro Tip that might be the life-changing advice you need. 🤫

Wash Pillowcases Regularly Every 7 to 10 Days

According to a study done by Amerisleep, “...after one week, pillowcases and sheets contain between three million and five million CFUs (colony-forming units) per square inch.” How does this compare? This means you got 17,000 times more bacteria lurking on your pillowcases than your average toilet seat. This sounds more like a sea of bacteria than a bed of roses.

 

Moreover, the human body sheds millions of dead skin cells per day, says Dr. Kerry Lebenger, an Allergy and Immunology Specialist. It turns out that dust mites love feasting on these dead skin cells, which turns your bed into a breeding ground for allergens. So if you feel like your bed is feeling and smelling extra funky, you might be the culprit. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and made with natural material, but it’s always best to be on the safe (and hygienic!) side.

 

Washing your silk pillowcases between 7 and 10 days is the perfect gap to use your pillowcases multiple times without breeding bacteria. This also prevents harboring allergens, especially for individuals with sensitive skin. 

 

At best, you could even go the extra mile and wash your silk pillowcases once or twice a week. This is especially practical for people who work out a lot or even for those who like taking naps during the day. Also, if you’re serious about your skincare routine every night, you want to preserve that moisturizing goodness on your face and not spread it all over your pillowcase!

 

💡 Pro Tip: Keep extra pillowcases to use in rotation. Check our collection of 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcases with over 25 colors, three sizes, and two styles to choose from.

Benefits of Washing Your Silk Pillowcase Diligently

There’s more to laundering your pillowcases than a tedious task.

Prolongs the Great Quality of the Silk

Silk is precious. So when you get your hands on that silky goodness, you want to take care of them and make the most of the quality. Laundering your silk pillowcase regularly offers more benefits than having just a clean essential in bed.

 

Unless there are holes or fabric snags on your pillowcase, there’s really no need to replace it or stock up on new ones. This means fewer expenses for you! When you prolong the quality of it, a buttery-soft pillowcase can be your best help towards quality sleep and better days ahead.

 

Everyday life can be tiring. The most you can have nowadays is a well-made silk pillowcase to accompany you in your slumber. Amidst busy schedules and frantic motions, sleep is life. You deserve to sleep beautifully. You deserve silk.

Prevents Bacterial Growth

Bacteria is the number one concern for laundering any garment or fabric in the first place. Although silk bedding is more resistant than cotton bedding, there’s also a dust mite growth possibility, potentially leading to harboring allergens.

 

Our skins can be quite extra sensitive and fragile depending on the season. Regularly washing your sheets and pillowcases is one of the most effective ways to practice hygiene in your bedroom and ensure a relaxing space once it’s time to switch the lights off.

Provides Hair + Skin Benefits

Much has been said about silk, including its health benefits for the average individual. There’s a good reason why silk is famous in the lifestyle sector. More than its potential to quickly transform an ordinary room into a luxurious space, silk has excellent benefits for anyone’s hair and skin in the long run. 

 

For one, we know that silk doesn’t discriminate. As long as you’re a living, breathing human being, it will protect you in all the ways it can. For curly-haired people, silk makes hair goals achievable and manageable. For anyone, silk benefits the skin and face by locking in the body's natural oils. This keeps you moisturized, happy, and flourishing!

 

Also, have we mentioned that silk prevents hair tangles and frizz? Just one more reason to #SwitchToSilk! 💫

Keep Your Silk Pillowcase Clean, Fresh, and Smooth

Beyond washing, here are some things to remember to keep your silk pillowcase fresh and dashing.

Tip #1: Use Mild Detergent

Silk is made with 100% natural fibers. Being made from nature makes it a tad sensitive over manufactured counterparts that can withstand harsh treatments, so it’s best to go mild on your silk pillowcase. 

 

Using neutral pH detergent is the way to go. Cleaning agent aside, you could also use this as pre-treatment for stains such as wine, coffee, talcum powder, and even oil-based stains like cosmetics and creams. 

 

Apply a couple of drops of your detergent directly to the stain and massage the affected area using your finger. Let the detergent sit on the stain for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the severity of the stain. Do not add softener, bleach, or other whitening products into the formula.

Tip #2: Do an extra rinse

Sometimes we use too much detergent in the laundry, and that’s ok! Nothing that an extra rinse can’t fix. An additional rinse helps cleanse the silk fibers, thoroughly cleaning off the detergent buildup. 

To prevent the problem in the first place, remember that, in this case, less is always more. Make sure to use cold water as silk doesn’t sit well with hot or warm water. Let your pillowcase soak in the basin for 5 minutes before you blot the excess water. Hang dry as usual and avoid dryers and irons.

Tip #3: Use a Laundry Mesh Bag

Hand washing is the general advice for washing anything silk. But if your silk pillowcase is made with 25 momme pure silk (like ours!), machine washing is an alternative way to do it. The trick is to collect all your silk items in a mesh bag. This not only keeps everything organized and tidy but also prevents fabric snagging.

In the long run, this keeps your silk pillowcase well-sewn and intact for years. Now that’s an excellent value for money.

Tip #4: Cold, Cold, Cold!

We emphasize using cold water only for washing silk as heat can shrink and damage silk fibers. Besides, the nice thing about hand-washing silk pillowcases is that it’s hassle-free. Simply fill a basin with cold water and a mild laundry detergent, let the pillowcase soak for 30 minutes, and gently squeeze out the rinse.

Tip #5: Blot, Not Wring

As we shared in our previous blog post, How to Wash a Silk Pillowcase by Hand, it’s essential to avoid wringing silk pillowcases or any silk fabric for that matter, as this warps the shape of the material. Instead, let the rinse water drip in the basin, then lay the pillowcase on a towel to blot off excess water. Silk is highly vulnerable when wet, so proceed with utmost care.

Tip #6: Steam Gently When Necessary

Silk generally doesn’t need ironing. Besides, it’s not meant to endure the heat. If you want to remove wrinkles and creases, opt for steaming, and do so gently. Steaming is great for delicate fabrics while not damaging the fibers. If you must iron, use the silk setting and turn the silk pillowcase inside out before ironing.

The Bottom Line

Silk is amazingly good for the skin, the hair, and the environment. It has more benefits besides the tasteful look it brings wherever you drape it. Washing silk pillowcases every 7 to 10 days is the key to maintaining their appearance, shape, and silkiness. With the right amount of mild detergent, cold water, and a little care, it doesn’t take much to keep your silk pillowcase sparkling - or rather, silky - clean.