How Should I Wash Silk or Wool Items?
Silk and wool garments.
Delicate fabrics like silk and wool feel luxurious, but when it comes time to wash them? Panic mode. At our laundry service, we often hear: “Can I wash silk in the machine?” or “Will wool survive a spin cycle?” We’re here to say—yes, you can keep your delicate clothes fresh and beautiful, without drama. Let's break it down.
Why Delicates Deserve Special Care
Silk and wool are natural fibers—soft, breathable, and a bit high-maintenance. Washing them the wrong way can result in shrinkage, loss of shape, or worse... permanent damage (cue the horror music). That’s why we treat these materials like VIPs in the laundry world.
Washing Silk: Gentle Is the Name of the Game
Whether it's a silk blouse or scarf, the secret to silk is gentleness. According to Persil, hand washing in cold water with a mild detergent is ideal. But if you must use the machine, pop your silk in a mesh bag and choose a delicate cycle with a cold wash.
Reddit users on r/BitchEatingCrafters passionately argue that machine-washing silk is a gamble—and honestly, we agree. For best results, go old school with handwashing.
Our pro tip? Always air-dry silk. Avoid wringing or twisting, and lay it flat on a towel instead.
Washing Wool: Keep It Cool and Cozy
Wool is a warm hug of a fabric—but it's also prone to shrinking faster than a cheap T-shirt in a hot wash. Whether it’s cashmere, merino, or regular wool, Heritage Park Laundry recommends a cold water wash, mild wool detergent, and no agitation.
Stick to the wool or delicate cycle if you're using a machine—and again, mesh bags are your best friend. Oscalito adds that stretching wool while it dries helps maintain its shape.
Big no-no? The dryer. Wool items should always be air dried, flat on a clean towel.
Do You Need Fabric Conditioner?
Short answer: Yes, but sparingly. Persil Laundry says a drop of gentle fabric conditioner can keep fibers soft without weighing them down—but be cautious, especially with silk.
Handwashing Tips at Home
If you're handwashing silk or wool, follow Clothes Doctor's step-by-step:
Fill a basin with cool water
Add a delicate fabric detergent
Soak for 5–10 minutes
Gently agitate (but don’t twist or rub harshly!)
Rinse with cool water and dry flat
Still unsure? Check out this YouTube guide for a visual walkthrough.
Laundry Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
We get it—washing silk or wool can be intimidating. But your delicate garments can last years with the right know-how and a little love. And if you ever want a break from doing it all yourself, we’re just a click away.
Got a favourite silk shirt that’s too precious to DIY? Let our experienced team handle it. With over a decade of laundry know-how, we treat every garment as our own.
