Asked on Apr 14, 2016

How to wash silk pillowcases?

Ina
by Ina

Does anyone have tips on how to wash silk pillowcases? Mine are turning yellow.


  12 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Apr 14, 2016

    Have you tried Borax? Soak them in warm water with the Borax overnight then wash them in Woolite.

  • Mary Brown Mary Brown on Apr 14, 2016

    Try a solution of lemon juice, salt, and water and let them soak.

  • Terrie Neudorf Terrie Neudorf on Apr 14, 2016

    I use Oxi-clean in warm water. Soak for a couple of hours. Then wash with your detergent, a scoop of powder Oxi-clean, and use vinegar in the rinse. It has even turned yellow items from bleach back to white. Try it you'll love it.

  • Angie Bakx Angie Bakx on Apr 14, 2016

    I have whitened items like silk scarves and doilies using baking soda and peroxide.

  • MN Mom MN Mom on Apr 14, 2016

    Soak it in Oxy-Clean and warm water, rinse it well, then set it in the sun to dry. The sun will help bleach it naturally.

  • Cassie Hames Cassie Hames on Apr 14, 2016

    I really like Biz. It really whitens everything quickly. It is sometimes hard to find so I buy it from Amazon

  • Bonnie D Bonnie D on Apr 15, 2016

    Try to use hydrogen peroxide if Oxi doesn't work. Can't beat good old sunshine.

  • Margot Gorske Margot Gorske on Jun 18, 2020

    Antique silk is ruined by bleach and laundry detergents. They also degrade in sunlight and air drying. Use silk laundry flakes and vinegar, then squeeze with towels while lying them flat.

  • Betsy Betsy on Nov 20, 2023

    Hi Ina: To remove yellowish discoloration and restore the original color to a silk pillowcase, by soaking it for about 5 mminutes in a sink of cool water and a tablespoon of white vinegar. When it's finished soaking, hand wash the pillowcase and dry as usual. When it's finished soaking, hand wash the pillowcase and dry as usual.

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 21, 2023

    • If washing by machine, set it on the delicate cycle using cold water. Stop the machine before the spin cycle if washing particularly delicate pillowcases to prevent creases and wrinkles.If washing by hand, use a gentle touch. Do not twist or wring the fabric. Silk fabric is strong when dry but much weaker when fibers are wet.


  • Soak them in cool water with a tablespoon of white vinegar. Then hand wash.