There is something delightfully luxurious about slipping into fresh, silk bed linen after a long day. That soft feeling is something that everybody loves, and silk is becoming more popular as it is recognised as providing a good night’s sleep (as well as looking fabulous). As spectacular as silk sheets are, it can be tricky to protect the fibres. Silk sheets need special care as they can be susceptible to stains, and the proteins can be damaged whilst being washed.
We’ve put together five ways to care for your silk bed linen and the benefits of each, so you can keep yours looking ultra luxurious.
1. Prevent Creasing
No matter the material, bedding should be washed every two weeks to prevent germs and continue to help aid a good night’s sleep. It is important you are washing and folding bed linen properly to prevent creases. In order to fold your luxury silk bed linen correctly you should lay it on a flat surface, tuck in the corners, fold inwards halfway before folding the ends in - this should then prevent any wrinkles and leave it looking crisp.
As silk is a delicate material, we recommend avoiding using a tumble dryer for silk sheets as it can damage the fabric. When first ironing, ensure the bed linen isn’t damp and use the coolest setting to prevent damage. After a few washes, you might notice that the wrinkles no longer require ironing as the fabric stays smooth. If you are worried about the temperature of an iron try steaming silk sheets, or if you have space, let the steam from a warm bathroom smoothen out creases.
2. Choose The Right Material
It may seem like a difficult task and a big decision choosing the right type of silk for your bed linen, but you should go with what feels nicest against your skin and what you feel will help aid the best night’s sleep. If you’re a fan of soft bed linen, choose charmeuse silk as it has a wonderful satin. If you like it to feel more textured against your skin, select tussah – the thread count is similar but the way it is woven has an impact on how it feels. If you’re not a fan of ironing but love luxurious silk, choose sheets that are textured, such as our beautiful Mulberry Silk Bed Linen.
3. Read The Care Labels And Wash Properly
After purchasing luxurious bed linen, the last thing anyone wants is for it to fade or lose its lovely feel. Make sure you take a couple of minutes to familiarise yourself with labels to ensure you know how to wash it properly. Traditionally, we recommend hand-washing your silk bed linen. It can be machine washed, but only if you use a non-biological detergent specifically for silk and wash at 30°C. This will prevent any damage to the stunning silk.
4. Store Linen Appropriately
Before folding and storing away bed linen, make sure it is fully dry as if it is damp, mould could form, and a bad smell occur. The best place to store your silk sheets is in a dark, dry space with good airflow as this prevents moisture damage, which is why it is traditionally kept in the cupboard containing the hot water cylinder, a space that ticks all the boxes.
5. Remove Stains Gently
Although we are extra careful with our silk bed linen, unfortunately silk can easily stain. If you do spill on your silk French bed linen, you should use a cold damp cloth and organic cleaning solutions, dabbing the stain directly to remove it. Do not rub the pigment as this will allow it to soak further into the sheets. You should also be aware of the type of skincare products you use, as this can stain and cause bed linen to discolour.
The feeling of fresh silk sheets on your bed is one that evokes feelings of great comfort. Silk is extremely popular right now as many are realising its temperature regulating benefits. This makes it not only practical in summer, but fantastic to use all year round. Follow these tips to care for your silk sheets, and keep them feeling soft and looking plush.
