Silk Fabric Care - Washing and Cleaning FAQ

Find answers to common questions about washing and cleaning silk fabric from JB Silks — including which silks are dry-clean only, which can be hand washed, and which Sueded Silk fabrics are machine washable and dryable. For complete instructions, visit the How to Wash Silk guide.

General Care

How do I care for silk fabric from JB Silks?

The correct cleaning method depends on the silk fabric type. Some silks are dry-clean only, some are hand washable, and JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics are machine washable and dryable.

Can silk shrink?

Yes, some silk fabrics can shrink. The amount of shrinkage depends on the fabric type, weave, finishing process, and cleaning method. JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics are pre-shrunk and designed for machine washing and drying, while many traditional silk fabrics should be dry-cleaned or hand washed according to the care instructions.

Should silk fabric be prewashed before sewing?

Yes, before sewing, JB Silks recommends pre-washing or pre-dry-cleaning silk fabrics using the same cleaning method that will be used after the garment is completed due to the likelihood of shrinkage. This is not required with JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics since their line is pre-shrunk. Be sure to consult the How to Wash Silk guide to determine which fabrics need to be washed or dry-cleaned.

Can all silk fabric be washed at home?

Not all silk fabrics can be washed at home. Factors such as garment construction complexity, color, desired feel after washing, and whether threads were dyed prior to weaving all affect whether home washing is appropriate.

Can silk be washed with other clothes?

No, JB Silks does not recommend washing silk fabric with other garments. Different fabrics can release dyes, create friction, and expose silk to zippers, buttons, and rough textures that may damage the fabric. To protect the silk's color, finish, and appearance, silk should be washed separately using the cleaning method appropriate for that specific silk fabric type.

Is silk similar to hair in terms of washing?

Yes, silk fabric is mainly composed of protein molecules and can be washed similarly to human hair, however the type of silk and garment construction determine the best cleaning method.

Dry-Clean Only

Which silk fabrics should be dry-cleaned only?

JB Silks recommends dry-cleaning for printed silks, silk brocade, silk chiffon, silk dupioni, silk georgette, silk duchesse satin, silk shantung, silk organza, silk taffeta, silk embroidered, silk beaded and sequin, and many other silk types as outlined in the How to Wash Silk guide.

Should printed silk fabric be dry-cleaned?

Yes, JB Silks recommends dry-cleaning all printed silk fabrics to preserve the print detail and color vibrancy.

Should silk with linings be dry-cleaned?

Yes, garments with linings — especially when the lining is a different color than the shell — should always be dry-cleaned.

What should I tell my dry-cleaner when bringing in silk?

Always inform the dry-cleaner that the items are made of silk, confirm they have experience cleaning silk, and insist the dry-cleaning tag be marked "Silk Fabric" for added protection.

What is the best dry-cleaning method for silk?

Liquid carbon dioxide dry-cleaning offers the least fabric shrinkage and is considered safer for the environment. JB Silks recommends asking for eco-friendly dry-cleaning options when available.

Hand Washable Silks

Which silk fabrics can be hand washed?

Hand‑washable silk fabrics from JB Silks include Silk Charmeuse Satin, Silk Crepe de Chine, Silk Habotai, Silk Twill, Silk Broadcloth, Hammered Silk Charmeuse, Stretch Silk Charmeuse Satin, Stretch Silk Crepe de Chine, Stretch Silk Woven Jersey, and additional fabrics as recommended on the How to Wash Silk guide.

Can silk charmeuse satin be hand washed?

Yes, Silk Charmeuse Satin is hand washable in cool water, however, JB Silks recommends dry-cleaning very bright or very dark colors to preserve their vibrancy.

Can silk habotai be hand washed?

Yes, Silk Habotai is hand washable using cool water and a gentle liquid soap recommended for delicate fabrics.

Can silk crepe de chine be hand washed?

Yes, Silk Crepe de Chine is hand washable in cool water. For very bright or very dark colors, dry-cleaning is recommended to help maintain color intensity.

What water temperature should I use to hand wash silk?

Always use cool water for both washing and rinsing silk fabric. Never use warm or hot water.

What soap should I use to hand wash silk?

Use the minimum amount of a high quality liquid soap recommended for delicate fabrics, ensuring it is thoroughly dissolved before adding the fabric. Never exceed the manufacturer's recommended amount to avoid dye bleeding and soap residue which dulls the silk's appearance.

Can I soak silk fabric in water?

No, never soak silk fabric. Keep the fabric wet only as long as needed to complete the washing process.

How do I remove excess water from hand washed silk?

Gently squeeze out excess water without stretching the fabric; never twist or wring out silk fabric. JB Silks recommends placing the silk on a clean, dry, colorfast towel and rolling up together to absorb moisture, then removing the silk item and following the drying instructions on the How to Wash Silk guide.

Should I add vinegar when washing silk?

Yes, to help retain the silk fabric's true color, ¼ cup of plain white vinegar should be added to every two gallons of cool washing water.

How do I prevent mineral stains when washing silk?

If you live in an area with hard water, add a water softener following the manufacturer's instructions to prevent mineral stains, especially on darker colors.

How do I set the dye when rinsing silk?

Dissolve a small amount of salt in the final rinse water before adding the fabric to help set the dye and reduce color bleeding.

How do I dry hand washed silk fabric?

Roll the silk fabric in a clean, dry, colorfast towel to remove excess moisture, then hang the fabric on a colorfast plastic hanger in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Can I use a padded hanger to dry silk?

Avoid padded hangers with felt or velvet coverings as these can transfer dye onto damp silk. JB Silks recommends using a colorfast plastic hanger instead.

Can I use a wooden hanger to dry silk?

Use caution with wooden hangers and drying racks since the finishes applied to wood may stain damp silk fabric.

Machine-Washable Silks

Can silk be machine washed?

Sueded Silk fabrics from JB Silks are machine washable and dryable. All other JB Silks silk fabrics should be dry-cleaned or hand washed depending on the fabric type.

Which JB Silks fabrics are machine washable?

JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics are machine washable, including Sueded Silk Broadcloth, Sueded Silk Crepe, Sueded Silk Georgette, Sueded Silk Gabardine, Sueded Silk Heavy Crepe, Sueded Silk Organza, and several other Sueded Silk varieties. For a complete list of machine-washable silk fabrics be sure to visit the How to Wash Silk guide.

What washing machine settings should I use for JB Silks Sueded Silk?

An updated washing machine without a center agitator should be used, with the cycle set to Delicate, Gentle, Hand Wash, or Wool. Both the wash and rinse water temperatures should be set to cold or cool.

Can JB Silks Sueded Silk be machine dried?

Yes, JB Silks highly recommends that their Sueded Silk fabrics be machine dried on medium to high heat, being sure to stop the dryer every 10 to 15 minutes to untwist the fabric, then resume drying until completely dry. This will enhance the softness of the finish.

Are JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics pre-shrunk?

Yes, JB Silks Sueded Silk fabrics have been pre-shrunk and extensively tested for machine washing and drying.

Care Cautions

Can I use bleach on silk?

No, never use chlorine bleach on silk fabric.

Can silk be left wet or soaked in water?

No, never soak silk in water or leave it wet, as this can damage the fibers and affect the fabric's appearance.

Can I iron silk fabric?

Yes, silk fabric can be ironed, but a dry pressing cloth should always be used to avoid staining and to prevent surface scorching. If a steam setting is used, care must be taken to ensure the iron does not spit water directly onto the silk.

Note: For complete washing instructions, visit the How to Wash Silk guide.

For more frequently asked questions, visit the Silk Fabric FAQs page.