How to Wash a Silk Blouse at Home (Without Ruining It)

Yes, you can wash most silk blouses at home. Use cold water, a mild silk detergent and a few minutes of hand washing, then dry the blouse flat in the shade. The one exception is a blouse whose care label says dry clean only.

Before you wash: read the label and test the color

Two checks take a minute and prevent most silk accidents.

1. Read the care label. If it says dry clean only, do not wash the blouse at home. Some labels allow hand washing. The Molisilk pajama set, for example, is marked dry clean recommended, and says that if you hand wash, use cold water and a silk detergent, do not twist, lay flat to dry in the shade, and avoid prolonged sun.

2. Test the color. Dab a white cloth, wet with a little cold water and detergent, on an inside seam. If dye shows on the cloth, take the blouse to a dry cleaner.

You also need:

• A clean basin or sink
• Cold water
• A mild liquid detergent made for silk or delicates, without bleach or enzymes
• Two clean white towels

How to hand wash a silk blouse in 5 steps

1. Fill the basin with cold water. Warm or hot water can dull silk and shrink it. Add a small amount of silk detergent and mix it in; follow the bottle for the amount.
2. Wash gently. Place the blouse in the water and move it slowly through the water for two to three minutes. Do not scrub or rub the fabric against itself. Dab any stained area with your fingertips.
3. Do not soak for long. Lift the blouse out after about five minutes at most, because a long soak can make dye bleed.
4. Rinse until the water runs clear. Use clean cold water, and change it as often as needed to remove all the detergent.
5. Press out the water, do not twist. Lay the blouse flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up with the blouse inside, and press gently. Never wring silk.

How to dry a silk blouse and remove wrinkles

Dry the blouse flat on a dry towel, indoors or in the shade. Keep it away from direct sun, radiators and the dryer, because heat and strong light damage silk. The Molisilk pajama set label gives the same advice: lay flat to dry in the shade and avoid prolonged sun.

When the blouse is almost dry, smooth it by hand and hang it on a padded hanger. If it still has wrinkles, iron it inside out on the lowest heat, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the silk. A steamer held a few inches away also works.

6 mistakes that ruin a silk blouse

• Hot water. It dulls the fabric and can shrink it. Use cold water.
• Wringing or twisting. It breaks the fibers and leaves creases. Press the water out in a towel.
• Regular detergent or fabric softener. Bleach and enzymes damage silk. Use a mild silk detergent and skip the softener.
• The dryer, a radiator or direct sun. Heat and strong light weaken the fabric. Dry it flat in the shade.
• Leaving it wet in a pile. Damp silk can bleed dye onto other clothes. Wash it alone and dry it at once.
• Rubbing a stain hard. Scrubbing roughens the fibers. Dab the stain gently, and take stubborn marks to a dry cleaner.

Can you machine wash silk, and when should you dry clean?

Only if the care label says so. If it does, put the blouse in a mesh bag, choose a gentle cycle with cold water and a low spin, use a silk detergent, and take it out as soon as the cycle ends. If the label does not allow machine washing, hand wash it or dry clean it.

Choose a dry cleaner when the label says dry clean only, when the blouse has a lining, beading or heavy trim, when the color test shows dye, or when a stain is oily or has set.

If you are still choosing a blouse, browse our silk shirts and blouses, or start with the Leopard-Print Silk Blouse or the Geometric Print Sleeveless Silk Shirt. Always read the care label on the piece you buy. You can also browse the full 100% silk collection.

FAQ: washing a silk blouse

How do you wash a silk blouse at home?

Hand wash it in cold water with a mild silk detergent for a few minutes, rinse until the water is clear, press out the water without twisting, and dry it flat in the shade.

Can you wash silk at home?

Yes, most silk can be washed at home if the care label allows it. If the label says dry clean only, take it to a dry cleaner.

Can silk go in the washing machine?

Only if the care label says so. If it does, use a mesh bag, a gentle cold cycle and a low spin, and take the blouse out right away.

What detergent should I use on silk?

Use a mild liquid detergent made for silk or delicates, without bleach or enzymes. Skip the fabric softener.

How often should I wash a silk blouse?

Silk does not need washing after every wear. Wash it when it has sweat or stains, and air it between wears.

Written by the Molisilk editorial team.