Silk must be treated with a great deal of care when laundered. If you have spent a sizable sum on silk pajamas, you’ll need to ensure you treat them with care.
This means using appropriate temperatures and detergents with your silk. You’ll also need to be careful about how you dry your pajamas once the wash cycle is complete.
Can You Wash Silk Pajamas?
Silk pajamas can be washed at home, if you follow instructions. If the label says Dry Clean Only, never attempt to wish these garments at home. If this guidance is absent, silk pajamas can be hand washed or placed through a machine. Just ensure you use tepid water and a laundry detergent devoid of bleach.
Is it OK to wash silk pajamas?
Silk pajamas may feel sumptuous against the skin, but they are pajamas all the time. All garments will need to be washed eventually.
Thankfully, the breathable nature of silk prolongs this inevitability – and yes, silk pajamas can be washed. You’d be disappointed if you spent hundreds of dollars on pajamas that could only be worn once.
There are certain restrictions placed against washing silk pajamas, though. As befits a superior product, you can’t just bundle this material with your denim jeans and sweaters. This guide will explain how you can wash silk pajamas without sacrificing the integrity of the fabric.
How often should you wash silk pajamas?
Silk pajamas are undoubtedly luxurious, but such decadence comes at a cost. You should not wash silk as frequently as you do cotton or other textiles. Every time water touches silk, a little of the integrity of the material is damaged.
You can minimize this impact with careful washing, but some degree of wear and tear is unavoidable. The good news is that silk does not need to be washed as often as other materials.
Silk pajamas are highly appealing during hot weather. As silk is lightweight, it feels more comfortable – especially in bed, under a potentially heavy duvet. Silk regulates body temperature better than most materials too, so you’re unlikely to sweat wearing this fabric.
This means that silk pajamas should not be washed every time you wear them. Try to resist washing silk until you cannot bear to wear them any longer. At a bare minimum, wear silk pajamas at least four times before washing them.
You can also delay the need to wash silk pajamas by following a few simple steps.
- Dry yourself thoroughly after showering before wearing silk pajamas. This material is not absorbent and water spots can stain
- Avoid applying deodorant before wearing silk pajamas. Antiperspirant sprays and roll-ons can stain silk
- Do not eat or drink while wearing silk. This minimises the risk of any unwelcome spillages that require washing!
Silk is not self-cleaning. Eventually, your pajamas will need to be washed or you’ll start to feel a little gross. Do not toss your pajamas straight into the laundry after one or two wears, though. One of the reasons that silk pajamas are expensive is that they need less frequent washing.
How do you wash silk pajamas?
If the time has come to wash your silk pyjamas, you have three choices.
- Take the pyjamas to a professional dry cleaner and let them manage the process
- Hand wash your pajamas in a bathtub or basin
- Pop your pyjamas through a cycle in the washing machine
Your first step is to check the label of your pajamas. If this informs you that the garments should strictly be dry cleaned only, heed this advice. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s a pain. It’s also been advised for a reason, though. Silk is delicate and often needs a professional clean.
For the avoidance of doubt, there is a difference between Dry Clean Only and Dry Clean. The latter suggests that your silk pajamas can be washed at home. You’ll need to hand wash them, though. This method is least likely to damage your clothes.
Here’s a cheat sheet for washing silk pajamas. Remember these golden rules before committing to laundering your nightwear. It’s the only way to protect your investment.
| Frequency of Washing | Only when necessary – not as regularly as cotton |
| Water Temperature | Cool water – never above room temperature |
| Safe Detergents | Natural detergent that is devoid of bleach – no soap |
| Washing Machine Spin Cycle | Very gentle, or ideally not at all. Silk is easily torn |
| Tumble Drying | Never, under any circumstances! This is will shrink silk |
| Air Drying | Store flat, away from any source of natural light |
To wash silk by hand, follow these steps.
- Fill a basin or bathtub with cool or tepid water. This water should be room temperature, not noticeably cool or hot to the touch. Silk shrinks in extreme cold or heat
- Apply a little natural, eco-friendly laundry detergent. This must not contain bleach. If you bleach silk, you’ll have unsightly spots that cannot be reversed. Equally, never use soap. If you rub silk to scrub it, you’ll create bobbles in the material
- Agitate the silk in the water to ensure it gets a thorough soaking, but don’t leave the pajamas in the water too long. The more time silk spends submerged in water, the likelier damage becomes
- Remove the pajamas from the water and rinse off any lingering detergent with a gentle stream of cold water
- Use a towel to absorb any excess water. Do not wring out your pajamas – they’ll wrinkle and can be a real pain to iron
- Leave your silk pajamas to dry. Ideally hang them or leave them on a flat surface. You must keep the silk away from direct sunlight, as this bleaches and fades the color. This means silk cannot be left to dry in front of a window
If your silk pajamas do not make any reference to dry cleaning on the label, they are theoretically safe to be laundered in a standard washing machine. This process will be conducted at your own risk.
How to wash silk pajamas in a washing machine
We’ll say this one final time – put silk pajamas in the washing machine at your own risk. No manufacturer will take responsibility for damage caused to silk during the laundry process. If you’re unable or unwilling to hand wash your pajamas, consider a dry cleaner.
Now that is out of the way, let’s discuss your options. When it comes to placing silk pajamas in a washing machine, there are a few ground rules.
- Ensure your washing machine is clean before applying your pajamas. The smallest stain can cling to silk
- Wash silk pajamas alone or with other silk garments. Never mix-and-match silk with other textiles
- Never wash silk after another cycle. The washing machine will still be hot from a previous load, which will damage the material
- Give serious consideration to placing the silk pajamas in a mesh bag. This reduces the risk of rips and tears
- Apply a delicate, silk-safe laundry detergent that does not contain any bleach
- Turn the water temperature as low as you can, and use a delicate cycle. This is an option on most washing machines – it may be even labelled, “silk”
- Remove the pajamas from the machine the moment the cycle concludes. Do not leave silk to fester in a washing machine – it will go musty and need to be wash again
Once the washing cycle is complete, gently pat down your silk pajamas with a towel to remove any excess water. Then, proceed to leave the silk pajamas to air dry. This should involve hanging the pajamas somewhere they can remain flat, away from natural sunlight.
Never place silk pajamas in a tumble dryer. The intense heat will destroy the integrity of the fabric. For the same reason, avoid leaving silk pajamas on a radiator. Your pajamas should be dry and ready to be put away within an hour. Silk dries quickly as it does not absorb water.
How to wash Victoria’s Secret silk pajamas
All silk pajamas are luxurious, but some brands are more opulent than others. Victoria’ Secret is arguably the premiere name in the realm of silk pajamas. Nightwear from this manufacturer rarely retails for less than $50.
The good news is, as Victoria’s Secret is such a popular brand, their silk pajamas are often machine washable. This doesn’t mean that anything goes. You’ll still need to check the label, and follow the instructions we laid out above.
All the same, Victoria’s Secret silk pajamas are often a great way to experience lavish nightwear without making too much effort to keep them clean. As long as you’re careful, you can wash-and-wear your Victoria’s Secret pajamas for a prolonged period.