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Can You Wash a Silk Shirt in the Washing Machine? (Answered)

It is very rare to find a silk shirt that is machine washable. The high majority of silk shirts are required to be either dry cleaned, or hand washed. Before attempting to provide any sort of care to your silk shirt, it is imperative to first check the garment's care label. The label will have critical care information and will inform you if the shirt is dry clean only, hand washable, or (in rare cases) machine washable. If you are not sure if your silk shirt is machine washable or not, you should assume that it is not. 


This is: Can You Wash a Silk Shirt in the Washing Machine?

can you wash a silk shirt in the washing machine banner image with a man wearing a blue silk shirt and an X overtop of a washing machine

Silk is a delicate fabric that needs to be washed using the appropriate care methods. Failure to use the right washing methods can have damaging effects on your silk shirt. 


The most important thing to do before washing a silk shirt is to check the item's care label. The care label will provide clear instructions as to how the garment should be washed. 


Take a look at our Men's Guide on How to Wear a Silk Shirt for outfit inspiration and ideas. 


Continue reading to find out if a silk shirt can be washed in the washing machine, as well as how to best wash your silk shirt. 


Contents:

Can You Wash a Silk Shirt in the Washing Machine?

It is very rare to find a silk shirt that is machine washable. The high majority of silk shirts are required to be either dry cleaned, or hand washed. Before attempting to provide any sort of care to your silk shirt, it is imperative to first check the garment's care label. The label will have critical care information and will inform you if the shirt is dry clean only, hand washable, or (in rare cases) machine washable. If you are not sure if your silk shirt is machine washable or not, you should assume that it is not. Some of the applicable laundry symbols can be seen in the table below. 

Dry Clean Laundry Symbol

Do Not Wash Laundry Symbol

Hand Wash Laundry Symbol

Gentle Cycle Laundry Symbol

How to Wash a Silk Shirt

Nearly all silk shirts need to be either dry cleaned or hand washed. Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to hand wash silk shirts. If you'd like a more detailed guide, or if you would like to learn how to machine wash a silk shirt, please read: How to Wash a Silk Shirt. 


To learn how to iron and get stains out of silk shirts, please read the articles below:

Follow the instructions or watch the video below to learn how to properly wash a silk shirt by hand. 

What You'll Need:

  • A container, basin, sink, or tub
  • Silk laundry detergent 
  • A silk shirt
  • An absorbent towel 

Steps:

  1. Fill a container with lukewarm water not exceeding 77°F/25°C.
  2. Add silk laundry detergent. 
  3. Submerge the silk shirt in the water. 
  4. Allow the shirt to soak for 3 to 5 minutes.
  5. Use your hands to agitate and wash the shirt in the water.
  6. Remove the shirt from the container and rinse under cold water until all the soap has been completely removed. 
  7. Lay flat and evenly on an absorbent towel, and gently roll the towel up to remove any excess water. 
  8. Hang or lay flat to air dry in a cool space out of contact with direct sunlight. 

Can You Wash a Silk Shirt in the Washing Machine FAQ

How do you wash a silk shirt?

Fill a container with lukewarm water and add silk laundry detergent. Submerge the shirt in the water and let soak for 3 minutes. Use your hands to agitate and clean the silk in the water, and then remove and rinse under cold water until all the soap is removed. Lay the shirt evenly on an absorbent towel and gently roll to remove excess water. Hang or flat dry out of contact with direct sunlight. 

Can you wash silk that says dry clean only?

Do not attempt to wash silk at home if the care label says "dry clean only." If the care label requires the garment to be dry cleaned only, then take it to the dry cleaners and do not try to wash it yourself. Many items made from 100% silk, such as pajamas, blouses, pillowcases, and dresses, are required to be dry cleaned only. 

How do you wash 100% silk in the washing machine?

It is better to hand wash or dry clean 100% silk fabric, however, some garment's care label may allow for machine washing. Turn the garment inside out and place it into a mesh laundry bag. Put the laundry bag in the washing machine and add silk laundry detergent. Adjust the settings on the washing machine to delicate and wash with cold water. Once the spin cycle is complete, remove the silk from the laundry bag and hang or lay flat to air dry. 

Can silk shirts be machine washed?

It is very rare to find a silk shirt that is machine washable. Before washing a silk shirt it is critical to first check the items care label to see if the garment is dry clean only, hand washable, or machine washable. The majority of silk shirts cannot be machine washed, however, there are exceptions in which the care label allows for machine washing.

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