How to Wash Silk Shirts

Co-authored by Safir Ali

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

Silk is a beautiful natural material used in all types of fashion. Although it’s one of the strongest fibers in the world, silk can be very delicate, and shirts made out of this fabric should be handled with care. However, taking care of your silk shirts doesn’t have to be hard -- if you pay attention to the care label, use mild soap and cool water, and avoid direct heat when drying, you can easily keep your favorite shirts in excellent condition.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Hand-Washing Silk Shirts

1
Dab the shirt with a wet towel to see if the colors run. Even if the care label on the shirt does not say that it’s dry-clean only, it’s a good idea to test the material and make sure it won’t be damaged by water. Take the corner of a white towel or washcloth and wet it slightly in the sink, then gently dab the shirt in an inconspicuous place, like the armpit or under the collar. If any color comes away on the towel, your shirt should be dry-cleaned.^{[1]
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- Be careful not to rub the silk with the towel, as it may damage the fabric.^{[2]
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2
Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water. Make sure the bowl is large enough that you will be able to submerge the entire shirt once it’s full. Keep the water tepid or a little on the cool side.^{[3]
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Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.}^{[4]
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3
Add several drops of mild detergent or non-alkaline liquid soap. Look for soaps or detergents that are labeled “mild” or “sensitive,” as they will typically have a lower pH. Silk is very delicate, and harsh soaps can be harmful to the fibers. It’s also a good idea to avoid any added fragrances or dyes.^{[5]
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4
Put your shirt in the water for 3-5 minutes. Gently stir the shirt around in the water with your hand, being careful not to rub the fabric. Do this for a couple minutes, then let it sit. Make sure your shirt is not in the water for more than a total of 5 minutes.^{[6]
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5
Remove your shirt from the bowl and gently squeeze out any excess water. Squeeze the shirt in your hands until it stops dripping continuously. Be careful not to twist or wring it.^{[7]
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6
Fill another large bowl with lukewarm water for rinsing. You can empty the original bowl and use it again, but make sure you’ve rinsed any soap residue out of the bowl before you fill it with rinse water.
7
Add 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 mL) of white vinegar to the rinse water. This will help neutralize any leftover soap, and keep the residue from damaging your shirt. It will also help neutralize any odors that may have been in the shirt.^{[8]
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8
Place your shirt in the rinse water and gently stir it for 1-2 minutes. Again, be careful not to rub or wring the fabric as you swirl it in the water. This should remove any soap residue left in the fibers.
9
Repeat the rinsing process without vinegar. Remove the shirt from the water and gently squeeze out any excess moisture, then place it in a clean bowl of water for a final rinse.
- You can add a few drops of hair conditioner to this rinse water to keep the fabric soft and add a pleasant smell.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Washing Machine

1
Check the care label. The tag inside your shirt should have instructions for how to wash it. If it says “dry clean only,” it is safest to have it dry-cleaned, although hand-washing may also be effective.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Dry-clean only clothes should never be put in the washer.
- If you can’t find a care label, assume that the shirt is dry-clean only.^{[11]
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2
Do a color fastness test. Use a wet white towel to gently dab the shirt under the arm or collar. If you see any color on the towel, you may be running the risk of losing some of your shirt’s color when you put in the washer. Consider dry-cleaning instead to protect your shirt’s quality.^{[12]
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3
Put the shirt in a mesh laundry bag. This will protect it from rubbing too much against other garments or the washing machine itself during the wash cycle. If you don’t have a laundry bag, a pillowcase will do.^{[13]
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4
Use the gentle setting on your washer. Most washing machines have a setting labeled “gentle” or “delicates” for lighter materials like silk.^{[14]
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Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Choose this setting and wash your silk laundry with other delicate clothes, like undergarments.^{[15]
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- If your washer does not have a gentle setting, you may want to consider washing it by hand instead. If you do wash it in the machine, put it inside 2 laundry bags or pillowcases before washing and choose the “colors” or “permanent press” setting if your washer has one.
5
Set the water temperature to “cold.” Hot water can cause silk to shrink or lose its color.^{[16]
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Safir Ali
Professional Dry Cleaner
Expert Interview. 15 September 2020.} Your shirt should be washed in water no hotter than 30 °C (86 °F)^{[17]
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6
Choose the shortest cycle. The shorter the cycle, the less stress there will be on the silk fibers of your shirt. Spinning the silk for too long in the washer can mean weakening the fibers, which may cause your shirt to lose its shape.^{[18]
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- It’s also a good idea to skip the final spin cycle if your washer allows this option.
7
Use a mild detergent. Most detergent brands carry “Gentle” or “Delicate” varieties designed for lighter items like silk. Look for something that doesn’t contain bleaches, brighteners or enzymes.^{[19]
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8
Wash your shirt with similar colors. Even if you take all of the necessary precautions, the colors in your silk shirt may run a little. Be sure to wash it with similar colors so you don’t ruin any of your other clothes.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Drying Silk Shirts

1
Squeeze your shirt gently if it is dripping wet. If you hand-washed the shirt, or if you skipped the final spin cycle in the washing machine, you may have to squeeze it out a few times to remove some of the excess water. Be careful not to wring it or rub the fabric together.^{[20]
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2
Roll the shirt up in a dry towel to get rid of some moisture. Spread out a clean, dry towel and lay the silk shirt on top of it. Gently roll the towel up with the shirt inside, hold it for a few moments, then unroll it. This will cause the towel to absorb some of the moisture in the shirt.^{[21]
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3
Hang or lay the shirt somewhere out of direct light and heat. Hang it up inside, preferably on a padded hanger, or lay it on top of a towel on a flat surface. Direct heat and light can damage silk fabric, so you should never put your silk shirts in the dryer, and avoid hanging them on a clothesline or near any heat sources like radiators.^{[22]
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4
Arrange the shirt so that it dries in its natural shape. The shirt should dry in a position that’s as close to its natural shape as possible. If you’re hanging it up, use a padded hanger. Bare plastic or wire hangers can create ridges in the shoulders of your shirts. Avoid clothespins and drying racks for the same reason.

Things You’ll Need

Hand-Washing:
- White towel
- 2 large bowls
- Several drops of mild soap or detergent
- 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 mL) white vinegar
Machine Washing:
- White towel
- Laundry bag or pillowcase
- Mild detergent
Drying:
- Dry towel
- Hanger (preferably padded) or flat surface