You can wash your Blissy silk pillowcase at home either by hand or in your washing machine. This article will show you the right way to wash a Blissy silk pillowcase to keep it looking and feeling great.

How To Gently Care for Your Blissy Silk Pillowcase

At Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, our mission is to help you enjoy the absolute best, longest possible performance out of your laundered luxuries. If you've recently purchased a Blissy silk pillowcase, you know that, along with being beautiful and comfortable, it was quite an investment. You want that pillowcase to last and stay lovely for as long as possible, and that means taking proper care of your silk pillowcase.

The Best Detergent to Use for Your Blissy Pillowcase

Silk requires specially made detergent. You should look for a detergent that is not only effective but one that is made WITHOUT any enzymes. Enzyme detergents, also known as biological detergents, have made big news in recent years; detergent manufacturers have learned how to harness the power of cleaning enzymes to tackle specific protein-based stains like blood, egg, dairy, and the like. However, many fabrics, such as silk and wool, are themselves protein-based; using an enzyme detergent on these fabrics will, over time, break down the fiber and degrade the integrity of the fabric. For this reason, your Blissy silk pillowcase should only be washed in an enzyme-free formula designed for protein-based fabrics like Heritage Park Silk & Wool Detergent:

• Concentrated liquid can be used in regular and HE front-loading machines.

• Effectively removes stains with plant-based ingredients, no fillers or excess water. We only use a handful of gentle ingredients (fewer than many silk detergent brands!).

• Contains no sulfates, phosphates, chlorine, bleach, or optical brighteners. The pH-neutral formula is biodegradable and safe for septic and grey water systems. 

• Available in Fragrance-free or lightly scented Lavender Mist and Spring Magnolia varieties.

Bonus: Safe for Sensitive Skin

Heritage Park Silk & Wool detergent is gentle on fabric and on skin. It is EWG verified and EPA Safer Choice certified (the only detergent to carry both of these prestigious designations). It has been independently lab tested as hypoallergenic (in industry-standard human subject RIPT trials) and pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested. All Heritage Park detergents are made in the USA in small batches for the utmost quality control.

"Silk is one of the most forgiving fabrics when you treat it right, and one of the least forgiving when you don't," says Tom Ceconi, President of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials. "The number one mistake we see is people reaching for a regular enzyme detergent because it's what's already in the laundry room. On a protein-based fiber like silk, that's exactly the wrong choice. Enzymes break down silk fabric instead of protecting it. Keep it cool, keep it gentle, and use a detergent actually made for silk.”

How Often Should You Wash Your Blissy Silk Pillowcases?

With the right detergent and care in the laundry, silk pillowcases and other pillow cases can usually be washed on the same schedule as the rest of your bedding, including cotton sheets or a cotton pillowcase. Of course, silk fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites, and non-irritating to skin (part of why silk pillowcases are great for beauty sleep) but they still do get dirty. We also recommend using a pillow protector as a protective layer to help keep the pillow clean.

How to Wash Your Blissy Silk Pillowcase

Washing pure silk can feel a bit intimidating. But washing your silk pillow cover is fairly simple. You can hand wash your Blissy silk pillowcase or run it through your washing machine. We'll outline detailed steps later, but the main thing to keep in mind is that the washing process, however you do it, should be as gentle as possible. That means carefully "swishing" your silk pillowcase by hand or laundering on a gentle cycle; protecting your silk from snags and tears in the washing machine with a mesh laundry bag; hanging your silk items to dry; and using a detergent specially formulated for silk.

Steps For Washing Your Blissy Pillowcase In Your Machine

As with any silk garment, silk sheets, or even a silk face mask, you should consult the care label for your Blissy pillowcase before proceeding. However, these guidelines from Heritage Park Laundry essentials have been tested on Blissy and other luxury silk pillowcases, including Mulberry Park Silks and Slip products. Learn more about understanding and interpreting laundry care symbols here.

Step 1: Wash Before First Use

Wash your Blissy pillowcase prior to using. We know you're excited to get it on your bed, but we definitely recommend a quick wash first.

Step 2: Turn It Inside Out and Load It Correctly

Turn your pillowcase inside out to protect the smooth charmeuse weave, and wash it in a dedicated silk load. Place it in a mesh laundry bag to protect the delicate fabric from snags, tears, and any metal burrs that might be inside your washing machine.

Step 3: Choose the Right Settings

Use a delicate setting on the machine with cool or cold water.

Step 4: Use a Silk-Safe Detergent

Use a mild detergent specially formulated for silk, like Heritage Park Silk & Wool Detergent.

Step 5: Pretreat Stains

Pre-treat stains with a concentrated soak of silk detergent prior to washing.

Step 6: Skip the Bleach and Fabric Softener

NEVER use bleach or fabric softener on your Blissy silk pillowcase. If you ever put it in the dryer, use only an air setting (no heat).

Steps for Washing Your Blissy Pillowcase By Hand

If you're hand washing your Blissy pillowcase, pre-treat stains before washing and follow these guidelines:

Step 1: Mix Your Wash Water

Add a small amount (two or three tablespoons) of silk-safe gentle detergent to cool water in a sink or wash tub. Agitate with your hands to mix.

Step 2: Submerge and Swish

Turn your pillowcase inside out. Submerge the silk pillowcase in the water and gently swish around for sixty seconds or so.

Step 3: Rinse Thoroughly

Rinse thoroughly but do NOT wring your pillowcase dry, as this puts unnecessary strain on the silk fiber.

Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash At a Glance

How to Dry Your Blissy Pillowcase

Although the Blissy care guidelines say you can put your pillowcase in the dryer on an air-only setting for a bit, we strongly advise you to air dry your silk pillowcase on a drying rack or flat on a towel, and a clothes line also works, away from direct sunlight which can fade pure silk. High temperatures can destroy silk fibers and cause shrinkage. If you use a dryer anyway, tumble dry only on the air setting or a no heat setting. Air drying is the safest option for the longest life of silk.

Should You Iron Your Blissy Pillowcase?

As a general rule, we think hand-smoothing any silk pillowcase is better than ironing it. Like your hair, silk is a protein-based natural fiber, and can scorch under intense heat. Caution is the watchword when it comes to ironing your Blissy silk pillowcase. If you are going to iron silk, follow these basic directions:

• Use a clean ironing board and a clean iron that has a dedicated silk setting or the lowest possible temperature setting. 

• Consider ironing your Blissy silk pillowcase when it is still slightly damp. Turn your silk pillowcase inside out and use a press cloth between the iron and the silk.

• Spot test the iron on a less conspicuous area of the fabric to make certain you are not going to burn. Move the iron quickly across the surface (not a back and forth motion, which can scorch). No steam. Iron for the minimum time needed.

If a pillowcase has a stain or finish issue you are unsure about, a professional dry clean service is safer than experimenting at home.