How to Wash a Mulberry Silk Face Cloth
Cold water, a gentle detergent made for silk, no bleach, and low or no heat. That is the whole of it. Silk is damaged far more by heat and harsh chemicals than by ordinary use, which is why a well-made cloth can be laundered often without trouble.
Hand washing (recommended)
- Fill a bowl or basin with cold water.
- Add a small amount of gentle detergent formulated for silk or delicates.
- Submerge the cloth and swirl gently for a few minutes. Don't wring, twist, or scrub it against itself.
- Rinse in cold water until the water runs clear.
- Press — don't wring — between your hands or in a clean towel to remove excess water.
- Lay flat to dry, away from direct heat and direct sun.
Machine washing
A cold, delicate cycle is fine. Use a mesh laundry bag to keep the cloth from catching on zips or hooks, and a gentle detergent made for silk. Skip the fabric softener — it coats fibres and dulls the finish. Tumble dry on low for 15–20 minutes if you prefer, or lay flat.
What actually damages silk
- Heat. Hot water and hot dryers are the main culprits. Both weaken the fibre and dull the surface.
- Bleach and enzyme detergents. Silk is a protein fibre. Chlorine bleach damages it, and "biological" detergents with protease enzymes are formulated to break down proteins — which is exactly what silk is made of.
- Prolonged direct sunlight. UV degrades silk and can yellow pale colours over time.
- Wringing and twisting. This distorts the weave rather than the fibre, but the crease can be permanent.
Why a denser weave tolerates frequent laundering is covered in What does 25 momme Grade 6A mulberry silk mean?
Ironing
Rarely needed — laid flat to dry, charmeuse stays smooth on its own. If you do press it, use the lowest (silk) setting, work on the reverse side, place a thin cloth between the iron and the silk, and do it while the cloth is slightly damp. Skip the steam.
How often
Rotate it as you would any face cloth — every few uses, or more often if you prefer. Because it is made to be laundered, regular gentle washing is expected rather than something to avoid. Many people keep two or three in rotation.
A note on longevity
Cared for as directed, a silk face cloth is washable and reusable. We don't put a number of years on that, because how long any textile lasts depends on how often it is used and how it is handled.
Continue reading
- What is a silk face cloth?
- How to use a silk face cloth after cleansing
- Why silk, and not a towel — including full care instructions
Our Silk & Intimates Wash is pH-balanced for silk → · Shop the Silk Ritual Cloth →