Can You Put Silk Sheets in the Dryer? Your Essential Guide to Drying S

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by Zoe Doyle
March 03, 2025
6 min read

This article explains how to safely dry silk sheets and why putting them in the dryer should be avoided. The Mulberry Park Silks team also recommends an affordable, space-saving drying rack to easily dry silk sheets and pillowcases indoors.

Key Takeaways

Although they can be machine washed, putting pure silk sheets and pillowcases in the dryer can cause significant damage. Heat will result in the structure of the silk breaking down and it will lose its look, feel, and hydrating properties.
Silk sheets should be hung to dry, indoors or outside away from direct sunlight, which can cause the color to fade. Silk sheets take only an hour or two to air dry.
The Mulberry Park Silks team recommends a stainless steel spiral drying rack as a space-saving solution for drying silk sheets indoors.

Mulberry Park Silks is about so much more than selling you silk sheets, pillowcases, and accessories. We want you to enjoy your luxurious silk-and derive its many benefits-for as long as possible. This is why we dedicate so much of our time and resources to sharing information and guidance on silk care.

If you've read this blog, you probably know that our silk sheets and pillowcases can safely be laundered by hand or in your washing machine. Today, we're taking a close look at drying your silk sheets and reminding you of the many reasons NEVER to put silk in the dryer.

Silk: A Protein-Based Fabric for Beauty and Wellness

The Science Behind Silk's Magic

What makes silk so special? It all comes down to its unique protein structure. Like your hair and skin, silk is protein-based. This natural composition is the foundation for silk's remarkable beauty and wellness benefits. Unlike synthetic fibers, silk fabric maintains these natural qualities that make it ideal for both luxury and comfort.

Beauty Benefits for Hair and Skin

When you sleep on a silk pillowcase, your hair glides smoothly across the charmeuse weave surface, reducing tangles, frizz, and breakage. The natural proteins in silk help your hair and skin retain moisture (unlike cotton which can pull moisture away from skin). Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic; resistant to mold, bacteria, and dust mites; and non-irritating to sensitive skin. Silk's unique structure also allows it to regulate body temperature, keeping you cool in hot weather and warm when the mercury drops.

From Cocoon to Luxury Bedding

All these benefits derive from the protective cocoon spun by the bombyx mori silkworm, which is fed a diet of exclusively mulberry leaves. Mulberry silk fibers are known for being the longest, strongest, softest, and most uniform in color. We make our silk bedding and accessories from 100% mulberry silk of Grade 6A, the highest on the market. Preserving the superior qualities of our silk sheets comes down to practicing proper silk care at home: hand washing or using a delicate cycle, choosing a gentle detergent specifically formulated for washing silk, and-most importantly-never putting silk in the dryer.

Why to Avoid the Dryer: Heat and Silk Don't Mix

The dryer might seem like a convenient option for your sheet set, but-make no mistake-it's a fast track to damaging and even destroying your silk sheets and pillowcases. Here's why:

Protein Denaturation: The high heat in dryers causes silk proteins to "denature" and undergo structural change. This alters the essential properties of silk and can make it feel rougher (not something you want for smooth silk sheets).

Moisture Loss: Silk's protein composition, smooth surface, and low absorbency are all part of what makes it feel so lustrous. A hot dryer can strip away the moisture in silk, leaving the fibers brittle and prone to breakage.

Weakening: The friction and heat of a dryer weaken the integrity of silk fabric. The mechanical action of a hot dryer can also cause silk fibers to split, creating a rough texture that diminishes silk's sheen and softness. Heat also reduces the elasticity of silk, making it feel more brittle.

These changes aren't merely cosmetic: they fundamentally alter the properties that make silk beneficial for your hair and skin. Putting silk in a hot dryer can, over time, diminish the premium qualities you invested in when purchasing silk bed sheets and pillowcases.

Drying Silk Sheets Properly: What You Need to Know

Using the proper drying protocol is just as important as careful washing. Follow these guidelines:

Never wring out wet silk. Instead, gently press between clean towels to remove excess moisture.
Hang your silk sheets to dry indoors or outside away from direct sunlight. Silk will typically dry within an hour or two.
Avoid exposing your silk to the sun. UV rays can cause silk to fade and degrade the fiber.
Skip wooden drying racks, which may leach dye, and clothespins that can leave dents.
Iron with extreme caution, following careful directions. We generally recommend tackling wrinkles by putting the silk on the bed while it is slightly damp and smoothing it out by hand.

Our Favorite Solution for Drying Silk Indoors

Given that not everyone has a shady outdoor space (especially in winter) or room indoors to spread out silk sheets, the Mulberry Park Silks team is always on the hunt for great solutions to make this process easier. Our Brand Manager, Kendra, is obsessed with her latest discovery: this stainless steel spiral drying rack from Amazon.

"I absolutely adore the compact design and efficiency of this rack," Kendra said. "You just fold a sheet or pillowcase in half and pull it around the spiral."

Kendra says this rack is a game-changer for several reasons;

The spiral makes it easy to put sheets on and take them off.
Air circulates to dry sheets quickly and evenly.
The space-saving design works wonderfully in small spaces (perfect for apartments, tiny laundry rooms, closets, and more).
The smooth stainless steel won't damage or stain silk.

View Spiral Drying Rack

This affordable hanging rack comes in sets of two, so you can dry your fitted sheet along with your flat sheet or duvet cover. These versatile hangers work for more than just sheets; they can be used to dry towels, comforters, and any other items made of delicate fabric that call for air drying.

Storing Your Silk Sheets Properly After Drying

After your silk sheets are completely dry, proper storage will help maintain their luxurious feel and extend their lifespan:

· Store silk bedding in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

· Use breathable cloth bags rather than plastic, which can trap moisture.

· Avoid hanging silk sheets for long periods, as this can stretch the fabric.

· Keep silk away from rough surfaces that might catch and pull on the delicate fibers.

A Final Thought on the Importance of Silk Care

View Silk & Wool Detergent View on Amazon

Taking proper care of your silk sheets maintains their lustrous look, luxurious feel, and the essential properties that make such a difference for your hair, skin, and sleep quality. By following these simple care guidelines-and ALWAYS avoiding the dryer-you'll help your silk bedding last for a long time to come.

Looking for more silk care tips? Check out our comprehensive silk washing guide, and browse our selection of detergents and care products specially formulated to keep your silk bedding in perfect condition. The Mulberry Park Silks team is here to offer recommendations and answer questions; feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.

Our Clients Also Ask These Questions:

Are silk and satin the same thing?

No, satin sheets and real silk sheets are not the same. Pure silk is a natural, protein-based product made from the cocoon of the silkworm; this is why silk fiber has inherent temperature-regulating, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial properties. Satin material is a synthetic fiber made from petroleum-based products like rayon or nylon; these synthetic materials don't deliver the same benefits as the natural fiber of silk.

I don't like a top sheet. Do I have to purchase a full sheet set?

No. We sell complete bed sheet sets in 19 momme, 22 momme, and 30 momme weights. Some clients forgo the top sheet and sleep directly under a duvet cover. For them, we offer silk fitted sheets and silk flat sheets separately in a versatile 22 momme weight. These coordinate with our 22-momme duvet cover.

Should I wash my silk sheet set in one load?

You can wash your sheet set in a single load. We recommend using a set of large mesh laundry bags. Place your silk fitted sheet in one and your silk flat sheet and pillowcase in another. If you have multiple silk pillowcases to wash, you can place them in their own small mesh laundry bag.

How often should I wash silk sheets?

Wash silk bedding at the same intervals you'd wash any other sheets. Wash silk pillowcases at the same time.

Do I need a special silk detergent?

For washing silk sheets you should use a gentle, pH-neutral detergent made for silk, wool, and other natural fibers. We recommend Heritage Park Silk and Wool Detergent. (Never use fabric softener or any other laundry additive when washing silk).

Mulberry Park: Accessible and Affordable Luxury Silk

We founded Mulberry Park with one simple mission: to design the highest quality silk items in the market and offer them at an affordable price. And we've done just that, with a full range of silk products made from 100% pure mulberry long strand silk fabric. The silk fabric used for our silk sheets and silk pillowcases has also been OEKO-TEX® Certified (Standard 100) to be free of chemicals.

Visit us online or call us at (800) 860-1924 to learn more about our silk sheets, silk pillowcases, duvet covers and shams, and real silk accessories including sleep masks, travel pillows, and silk hair scrunchies.

Featured Products

Heritage Park Silk & Wool Detergent

$ 10.00 USD - $ 36.00 USD

Heritage Park Premium Fine Mesh Laundry Bags

$ 15.00 USD - $ 19.00 USD

Can You Put Silk Sheets in the Dryer? Your Essential Guide to Drying Silk Without Damage