Best Detergent for Silk
When you want an all natural, premium material, silk is one of your best options. Durable and long lasting, it has natural hypoallergenic properties and is incredibly insulating for both heat and cold. Because of this, when you want quality bedding, silk and silk blends are some of the best you can buy.
But, silk does require specific care to keep it from being ruined. To help keep your silk looking like new and to avoid ruining the material you need a gentle detergent. We’ve compiled some of the best detergents for silk to provide the cleansing power you need for fresh, smooth, clean smelling sheets.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  The Laundress – Laundry Detergent for Delicates CHECK PRICE |
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| #2 |  Heritage Park Silk & Wool Detergent CHECK PRICE |
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| #3 |  Le Blanc® Fragrance Free Silk & Lingerie Wash CHECK PRICE |
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| #4 |  Perwoll Wool & Fine Fabric Care Liquid Detergent CHECK PRICE |
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| #5 |  Sonett Organic Olive Laundry Liquid Soap CHECK PRICE |
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| #6 |  Woolite Extra Delicates Care Detergent CHECK PRICE |
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| #7 |  Molly’s Suds Delicate Wash Liquid Laundry Soap CHECK PRICE |
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| #8 |  Ecover Delicate CHECK PRICE |
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Best Silk Detergents
The following detergents are considered some of the most gentle for your silks and other natural fibers. They are easy to use and help keep your material clean. Take a look at these options to determine which might be best for your needs.
1. Laundry Detergent for Delicates : Editor’s Choice: The Laundress
Key Specs:
- Amount: 16 oz = 32 washes
- Form: liquid
- Scent: Light floral and citrus
Designed specifically for delicates that are labeled as dry clean only, this delicate liquid cleanser is perfect for silk and other silky, soft materials. It works to soak out perspiration, body oils, stains, and odors all while cleaning and preserving the fabric to keep it durable and long-lasting. This is a great way to limit the use of the synthetics and toxins dry cleaning can produce, plus it saves you money in the long run. The light clean scent is soft and is a mix of floral, herbal, and citrus. 16 ounces offers 32 washes.
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2. Heritage Park Silk & Wool Detergent : Runner Up
Key Specs:
- Amount: 64 ounces = 64 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: light lavender, unscented
Formulated especially for washing natural fibers and delicate fabrics, this is a mild detergent that is pH neutral and uses no harsh chemicals for a clean, preserving washing experience. Scent free for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies, it also comes in a light lavender scent as well. It contains no dyes or sulfates, making it a good choice for your own use against your skin. Perfect for use as a pre-treatment and soak, it removes tough odors and set-in stains that many other detergents won’t touch. It also is biodegradable and is safe for gray-water systems.
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3. Le Blanc® Fragrance Free Silk & Lingerie Wash : Best Gentle Scent
Key Specs:
- Amount: 64 ounces
- Form: liquid
- Scent: unscented or choose from a range of mild scents
Created especially for the care of fine delicates such as silk, wool, cashmere, bamboo, and other fibers you want to last, this detergent protects the elasticity of the fibers and preserves the shape of garments and apparel. 100% biodegradable, this option contains no bleach, sulfates, or caustics and is a great choice for sensitive skin. With a neutral pH, it is a triple concentrate for energy efficient use. Available as an unscented version, it also comes in a wide range of mild scents for you to choose from.
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4. Perwoll Wool & Fine Fabric Care Liquid Detergent for Wool, Silk and Fine Fabrics : Best Variety
Key Specs:
- Amount: 1.5 L = 20 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: Light, gentle scent
Perwoll is a German detergent that is popular around the world for its excellent fiber care – especially for wool and silk. Protective of natural fibers, viscose, and even down, Perwool actively prevents the forming of fuzz and fluff during washing, and also works to keep garment shape. Good for deep cleaning in both cold and hot water, it is perfect for machines and hand washing. The packaging is also made from recycled plastics and is 100% recyclable.
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5. Sonett Organic Olive Laundry Liquid Soap for Wool and Silk : Best Organic
Key Specs:
- Amount: 34 oz = 17 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: lavender, unscented
Also available in a sensitive option, the Sonett liquid soap for wool and silk is made from an organic olive oil and other sustainable ingredients for a deep clean without stripping natural moisture from your natural fibers. This option deep cleans while retaining elasticity and softness, it is 100% vegan and holds multiple environmental certifications for safety – making it a great choice for those with allergies and sensitivities. Subtly scented with natural lavender oil, it also comes in an unscented version.
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6. Woolite Extra Delicates Care Detergent : Customer Choice
Key Specs:
- Amount: 16 oz = 8 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: Light and fresh
Woolite is a long standing, familiar brand name that offers gentle cleaning and dependable long-lasting care. The hypoallergenic formula is great for anyone with sensitivities, and it helps keep your delicates looking like new wash after wash. The formula is also perfect to help avoid fading, stretching, and shrinking and is gentle enough for your delicates even though it can be used for all your clothing. Perfect for handwashing, machines, and HE washers – you really cannot go wrong with it.
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7. Molly’s Suds Delicate Wash Liquid Laundry Soap : Best Budget
Key Specs:
- Amount: 16 oz = 32 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: Lavender or unscented
Although it comes at a great price point, this is not a low-quality option and a little goes a long way. With up to 32 hand loads available, this concentrate comes in a lavender or unscented option for your personal preferences. Gentle and powerful, this is a deep cleaning choice that is a top choice for all natural fier clothing and bedding. It also works to preserve and protect your material so it lasts wash after wash.
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8. Ecover Delicate : Best Environmentally Friendly
Key Specs:
- Amount: 25.5 oz = 16 loads
- Form: liquid
- Scent: Light floral
Packaged in a 100% recyclable bottle from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, Ecover Delicate detergent is perfect for all your delicates. With a light floral scent, it helps to remove deep set dirt, grime, and oils all while protecting delicate fibers and helping garments keep their shape.
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Silk Benefits
Originating in China, silk is the product of the silkworm cocoon that is unraveled to reveal fine, durable threads that can be woven and blended into materials. Incredibly strong, this weave provides a long-lasting option that can be used for all sorts of purposes.
• Hypoallergenic
Silk naturally repels oils, mold, allergens, dust and dirt – making this hypoallergenic option perfect for those who may have allergen sensitivities, inflammatory issues, or skin concerns.
• Skin and Hair Support
Perfect for sensitive skins, silk can help prevent skin breakouts, help retain moisture, and offers a smooth, soft surface. Your hair will also thank you as it can work to keep hair from tangling and works to keep it from drying out.
• Body Temperature Regulation
Silk also works to insulate against both heat and cold, allowing you to feel cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It also is highly absorbent and can absorb up to three times its weight in water before feeling wet. This means it can wick away body moisture and provide a cooler feeling.
• Silk Types
There are different types of silkworms so there are different types of silk in production around the world. The most common, however, is Mulberry silk – and makes up approximately 90% of the world’s silk production.
What Type of Bedding is Made From Silk?
Aside from a huge array of clothing that uses silk to provide a quality option, many luxury beddings choices also use silk to provide comfort night after night. Fitted and flat sheets, duvet covers and comforters, and pillowcases all take advantage of silk and silk blends for a more comfortable night’s sleep. Like clothing, silk bedding requires regular laundering, and since it is more costly than its cotton and polyester counterparts, washing care is a need to help keep it durable and long-lasting for years of use.
Silk Care Guide
To keep your silk clean and well cared for, you want to take into account a few details in advance, and then follow some specific steps for long-lasting quality.
— Before You Wash
Dyed silk often bleeds color, and therefore can stain other items in the wash- which means it is best to wash silks separate from other materials. This is also important to pay attention to if your silk has more than one color on it – which means it could bleed color onto itself to ruin patterns and designs. Test for color fastness before washing by dipping an inconspicuous area in warm water.
If dye releases, you can still wash your material if it is all one color, just wash by itself – or by hand. If it is not a solid color, you may want to consider dry cleaning.
— Pre-Treat Stains
If you have any stains then you may want to dab some detergent on the area or use a gentle pre-treatment to let soak in and loosen the stain prior to washing.
— Hand Wash and Rinse
Although you can wash your silks on a delicate machine cycle, it is best to wash silks by hand. First you want to turn any garments inside out and wash with similar colors if you are washing more than one item at a time. Fill your wash basin with cool water and the correct amount of detergent and then wash your material – allow it to soak for up to 30 minutes if needed.
Rinse under cool water until the water runs clear and all soap is gone. Do not wring out, but press water and then lay flat to dry!
You might be interested to read: The Best Laundry Detergents for Bedding
Wrapping It Up
When you need a good detergent to clean your delicate fibers and help keep them durable and long-lasting, these are all excellent choices to consider. Both unscented and lightly scented choices provide the deep cleaning abilities for both machine and hand washing to remove odors, deep set stains, oils, and perspiration.
Photo credit: mariakray/Shutterstock; Yellowj/Shutterstock;
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