How to wash a silk scarf?
Élise Moreau
A good silk scarf can last for decades, but only if you wash it kindly. Silk is a natural protein fibre, closer to your own hair than to cotton, so it loves gentle care and dislikes hot water and harsh soap. Here is exactly how to wash a silk scarf at home without losing the softness, sheen and colour that made you fall for it, using pieces worth looking after from our silk scarf collection.
Key takeaways
- Hand-wash silk in cool water with a tiny amount of gentle soap.
- Never wring or scrub, and keep silk out of the tumble dryer.
- Roll the scarf in a towel to blot, then dry it flat in the shade.
- Iron on the lowest setting, on the reverse, while slightly damp.
The short answer
To wash a silk scarf, fill a basin with cool water and add a small drop of pH-neutral soap or baby shampoo. Swirl the scarf gently for a minute or two, rinse it in clean cool water, then press it between a folded towel to lift out the moisture. Lay it flat to dry, away from radiators and direct sun, and iron it on the lowest setting if it needs it. The whole routine takes about ten minutes and treats silk far better than most dry-cleaning chemicals do.
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Beige Silk Scarf
Pure 70x70cm mulberry silk that stays soft wash after gentle wash.
Shop now · $44.99Hand-washing, step by step
Start with cool water, never warm, because heat is what makes silk lose colour and shrink. Add the smallest drop of gentle soap, then submerge the scarf and move it through the water with your hands for a minute or two. Do not rub the fabric against itself, and do not let it soak for long. Rinse two or three times in fresh cool water until no soap remains and the water runs clear.
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Cool water | Hot or warm water |
| pH-neutral soap or baby shampoo | Detergent, bleach, stain bars |
| Gentle swirling by hand | Scrubbing, twisting, wringing |
| Drying flat in the shade | Tumble dryer or direct sun |
★★★★★
Polka Dot Silk Scarf
A timeless silk square that takes gentle hand-washing in its stride.
Shop now · $44.99Drying without damage
Never wring a silk scarf to speed things up, because twisting breaks the fibres and leaves permanent creases. Instead, lay it flat on a clean towel, roll the towel up like a sponge cake, and press to draw out the water. Then unroll and lay the scarf flat to finish drying in a shaded, airy spot. Once dry, fold it loosely for storage. Our guide on how to fold a scarf shows the neatest way to keep creases out.
Ironing and reviving the shine
If your scarf needs pressing, do it while it is still a little damp. Turn it to the reverse, set the iron to its lowest silk setting, and keep it moving so it never rests in one place. For a tired-looking scarf, a single drop of white vinegar in the final cool rinse helps bring back the natural glow, and the smell fades completely once the silk is dry.
★★★★★
Blue Floral Scarf
Vibrant silk that keeps its colour with cool, careful washing.
Shop now · $44.99Spots, stains and freshening up
For a small mark, act quickly with cool water and a dab of gentle soap on the spot only, always testing a hidden corner first. Resist rubbing, which spreads the stain and dulls the weave. Between washes silk rarely needs much, and the same gentle routine works for any square scarf in your square scarf collection, whatever the fibre.
★★★★★
White Black Striped Scarf
A crisp silk square that looks freshly pressed with a low, dry iron.
Shop now · $44.99When to see a professional
Hand-washing suits almost every silk scarf, but a few are worth taking to a specialist: vintage pieces, anything with structured pleats, or a scarf with a stubborn oil-based stain. When you are unsure, a trusted dry cleaner who knows silk is the safer choice. Once it is clean and fresh, our guide on how to tie a silk head scarf gives you a pretty way to wear it again.
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Frequently asked questions
Treated gently, a silk scarf only gets better with time, softening a little more with every careful wash. Keep the water cool, your hands light and the sun off it, and yours will stay bright and beautiful for many years.
