Along with being absolutely luxurious, washable silk pillowcases, silk sheets, and bedding from Mulberry Park Silks are incredibly convenient. And skipping the hassle of dry cleaning will definitely save you money, time, and effort. But washing your silk bed linen comes with one minor drawback: wrinkles.

Fortunately, your fine silk pillowcases and bedding can be easily washed and then ironed without damage, provided you use the proper tools and techniques.

At Mulberry Park Silks, we founded our company with the belief that luxury silk pillowcases, sheets, bedding, and accessories should be enjoyed by everyone. That’s why we offer the finest silk in the market at fair and affordable prices. Our mission also extends to teaching our clients how to care for their silk bedding and protect their investment. Read on to learn more about how to iron your silk without damaging it.

What Happens When You Iron Silk?

The biggest worry when ironing silk is burning your beautiful pillowcases or bedding. And -- trust us -- silk can burn fairly easily. Similar to your hair, silk fiber is protein based. This is the reason why pure mulberry silk pillowcases sheets and pillowcases are so moisturizing to your hair and skin. However, like hair, silk will also burn under intense heat; if you’ve ever scorched your hair with a flat iron, you know what that’s like. In fact, the legendary “burn test” is often used to determine whether a piece of fabric is genuine silk, as silk. burns similarly to hair (with ashes) while polyester satin tends to melt like plastic. (Learn more about how to spot real vs. fake silk.) Therefore, the biggest challenge is getting silk wrinkles out without burning the delicate fabric.

Silk Care Pro Tip: Silk should really never be exposed to heat in any form, wet or dry. You should wash silk sheets in cool water or lukewarm water with specially formulated detergent made for silk.

What Setting Should You Use on Your Iron When Ironing Silk?

Because silk fibers burn easily, you should use the coolest temperature possible when ironing silk, whether it is silk bedding, a silk scarf, or silk clothes. Fortunately, most modern irons come with specific settings for various types of fabrics, including a dedicated silk setting. As a general guideline, synthetic fabrics made of acetate or other polyester materials are usually ironed at the coolest setting, around 275°F, while cotton and linen are ironed at temperatures of 400°F or more. On most irons, the silk setting temperature is approximately 300°F. As with all delicate fabrics, you should read the care instructions and make sure the item can be ironed; you can find a guide to common laundry symbols.

The Best Types of Surfaces to Iron Silk On

1. Iron your silk on a CLEAN surface with a CLEAN iron. Silk is uniquely vulnerable to staining, and any residual stain on these surfaces is likely to transfer to your fine silk. Cleaning an iron is relatively simple to do and well worth the effort.
2. We recommend using an ironing board, again with a clean cover. If you wish, you can lay a clean white sheet over the cover. If you don’t use an ironing board, make sure you are using a hard, flat surface that is heat-resistant and clean.
3. You may also want to use a press cloth, which is a piece of fabric you lay on top of the silk you are ironing.

Seven Tips and Cautions When Ironing Silk

1. Use an iron with a dedicated silk setting and a clean surface, preferably an ironing board.
2. Iron your silk while it’s still a bit damp. After the wash, hang your silk sheets until they are almost dry then iron. Don’t wring out excess water, which can damage the silk.
3. Spot test the temperature of your iron in a non-noticeable location to make sure the silk is not burning.
4. Turn the silk inside out and use the iron on the “wrong” side. For Mulberry Park Silks charmeuse sheets, this means you will NOT be ironing the shiny side, but instead, the duller side.
5. Pass the iron quickly across the surface of the silk; do not use a back and forth motion which can cause scorch marks. If you are ironing clothing, or a pillowcase or sheet set with only light wrinkles, use the press cloth between your iron and the silk and gently press out the wrinkles as opposed to moving back and forth.
6. DO NOT use a steam iron, as the moisture from the steam can leave water stains on silk sheets and bedding (note: you can, however, use a fabric steaming wand, although it will work better on silk garments than it will on silk sheets).
7. Less is more! Start with the lowest possible temperature and increase only as needed.

Also remember that you don’t need to remove every wrinkle. Your sheets and pillowcases will naturally release wrinkles on their own within a day or two on your bed.

To learn more about how to care for your silk sheets, including directions on washing silk, be sure to visit our blog. We’ve also got the silk care products you need to make laundry day a success!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ironing Silk

What is the lowest heat setting I should use when ironing a silk pillowcase or silk garment?

The lowest heat setting or low heat for ironing any silk item is somewhere around 250°F  (and not higher than 275°F ). If your iron has a dedicated silk setting, use that. Higher temperatures can burn silk's delicate protein-based fibers. Always check your silk pillowcase or silk garment care label before ironing, and start at the lowest heat setting possible. Begin with low heat and increase if needed. Using a pressing cloth provides an extra layer of protection between the iron and your silk item, preventing direct heat contact that could cause damage.

Should I use a pressing cloth when ironing my silk pillowcase?

Yes, using a pressing cloth is highly recommended when ironing any silk item including a silk pillowcase or silk garment. A pressing cloth (a clean piece of white cotton fabric) creates a protective barrier between the iron and your silk, preventing direct heat exposure that could scorch or burn the delicate fibers. Place the pressing cloth over your silk pillowcase (which should be inside out) before applying low heat from the iron. This technique is especially important if you're unsure about the exact temperature or if your silk item care label recommends extra caution. The pressing cloth method works for any silk garment or silk pillowcase and helps ensure you maintain the lowest heat setting contact with the fabric.

Can I use fabric softener before ironing my silk?

No, you should never use fabric softener on any silk item including silk pillowcases or silk garments, whether you plan to iron them or not. Fabric softener leaves a residue on silk fibers that can cause staining, affect how the fabric responds to low heat during ironing, and diminish the natural benefits of silk. Instead, wash your silk pillowcase or silk garment in cool water with enzyme-free detergent specifically formulated for silk, then hang to dry away from direct sunlight. When the silk item is still slightly damp, iron using the lowest heat setting with a pressing cloth to maintain silk's natural softness without the damaging effects of fabric softener.

What precautions should I take after washing my silk and before ironing?

After washing your silk pillowcase or silk garment, always check the care label for specific ironing instructions and hang to dry away from direct sunlight, which can fade and weaken silk fibers. Iron your silk item while it's still slightly damp for best results. This makes wrinkle removal easier at the lowest heat setting. Never use fabric softener before ironing, as it can leave residue that reacts poorly to low heat. Set your iron to the dedicated silk setting to avoid high heat, turn your silk pillowcase or silk garment inside out, use a pressing cloth for protection from direct heat, and always test the temperature in an inconspicuous spot first. These precautions ensure your silk item remains beautiful and undamaged.

Why shouldn't I expose my silk to direct sunlight or high heat?

Both direct sunlight and high heat can seriously damage any silk item including silk pillowcases and silk garments. Direct sunlight exposure causes silk fibers to fade and weaken over time, which is why you should always dry your silk away from windows and direct sunlight. Similarly, high heat from an iron or direct heat application can also burn and weaken silk. Always use the lowest heat setting or low heat when ironing, protect your silk pillowcase or silk garment with a pressing cloth to avoid direct heat contact, and never use fabric softener. Following your silk item care label instructions and avoiding both direct sunlight and high heat will preserve your silk's beauty and longevity.