I really enjoy the appearance and texture of silk shirts. However, caring for these delicate fabrics can seem daunting if you don’t know the proper techniques.

After ruining a few nice silk tops by machine washing them incorrectly, I decided it was time to become an expert on silk shirt care.

Through extensive research and trial-and-error, I’ve discovered the best practices for keeping your silk shirts looking fabulous for years to come.

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about washing, drying, ironing, storing and handling silk shirts. Follow my tips below and your silky tops will maintain their soft, lustrous quality.

Why Silk Needs Special Care

Unlike cotton or synthetic blends, silk has an extremely delicate fiber that requires gentle care.

The proteins that make up silk fibers can easily be damaged by heat, harsh detergents, and aggressive handling.

Once the fibers break down, silk fabric develops small holes and snags, loses its sheen, and becomes less durable over time.

Many people falsely assume silk should be dry cleaned only. While dry cleaning is an option, silk can absolutely be hand or machine washed safely using the proper precautions.

The key is being very gentle to preserve the integrity of the fibers. Below I’ll go through the best cleaning, storage and handling practices step-by-step.

Hand Washing Silk Shirts

I prefer to hand wash most of my silk tops since it allows me to thoroughly clean them while being gentle on the fabric. Follow these steps for best results:

• Fill a sink or large bowl with cool, clear water and add a small amount of mild detergent, like Heritage Park Laundry Detergent (link to Amazon). I recommend using 1-2 capfuls in a full sink.
• Mix the solution gently to create some suds without over-agitating it.
• Submerge the silk shirt fully and allow it soak for 3-5 minutes so the detergent can lift stains. I like to massage any highly soiled areas very lightly while soaking.
• Drain the water and refill the bowl with fresh cool water for rinsing. Avoid hot water as it can damage silk fibers.
• Allow the shirt to soak again for a few minutes to remove all traces of detergent. Repeat the rinse cycle as needed until water runs clear.
• Do not wring or twist silk fabric to remove water. This can stretch and misshape the shirt. Instead, gently lift, allowing excess water to drain off.
• Lay the shirt flat on a non-fuzzy towel and roll it to blot out moisture. Unroll and reshape before air drying.

I use Heritage Park for hand washing because it effectively removes body oils and light stains without being too harsh for delicate fabrics.

Other great options are Soak Wash and The Laundress Delicate Wash.

Learning about the recommended washing schedule for silk shirts was very helpful.

When to Use Your Washing Machine

While I prefer hand washing silk, the washing machine can be used IF you take certain precautions:

• Place shirt in a mesh garment bag and zip securely to prevent friction damage.
• Use the gentle or delicate cycle on cold water only.
• Add a mild detergent made for delicates and silks.
• Consider washing by itself to have better control over the cycle.
• Remove promptly at the end of the cycle and lay flat or hang to dry.

I only machine wash my basic, solid colored silk shells that don’t have embellishments like beading or lace. More delicate and patterned pieces should be hand washed or dry cleaned.

Dry Cleaning Silk Shirts

While proper hand washing works for most silk garments, dry cleaning has its purposes as well. I take my silk tops to the dry cleaner in these circumstances:

• The fabric has trims, beading, embroidery or other embellishments that may be damaged by water.
• The shirt has stubborn stains that require stronger solvents to remove. Perspiration stains under arms or makeup around the collar are common problem areas.
• The fabric has developed a musty smell from improper storage. Dry cleaning disinfects.
• I simply don’t have the time or energy to hand wash! Dry cleaner to the rescue.

To preserve the quality of your silk garments, always choose a reputable dry cleaner who uses non-toxic solvents.

I ask upfront what products they use and look for terms like “silicone-based” and “environmentally-friendly”. Avoid perc (perchloroethylene) as it can weaken silk fibers over time.

Learning that silk shirts often require dry cleaning ensured I handled them correctly.

Treating Common Stains on Silk

With frequent wear, silk tops will inevitably collect some stains. But don’t panic! Most typical household stains can be removed at home with pantry staples and a little elbow grease. 

Here are my DIY stain removal techniques:

Oil-Based Stains (Makeup, Lotion, Salad Dressing)

Gently scrape off any excess residue with a dull knife. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly on the spot and massage very lightly with fingers.

Rinse soap under cool water and repeat if needed. Avoid vigorous scrubbing motions.

Wine, Coffee, Tea Stains

Mix a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water. Soak the stain using a clean cloth or paper towel.

For red wine, dab some hydrogen peroxide on before the vinegar solution. Rinse thoroughly.

Sweat or Deodorant Stains

Make a paste by sprinkling some baking soda directly on the affected area. Add a few drops of water to moisten into a spreadable paste.

Let it sit for 15-30 minutes then rinse clean. The baking soda will help lift discoloration and odor.

For severe stains or dye discoloration that don’t respond to home treatments, take your silk shirt to a professional cleaner.

An expert can test different stain removal solvents in inconspicuous areas first to ensure they don’t negatively impact the fabric.

But avoid bleach and other harsh chemicals that may cause permanent damage.

Drying Silk Shirts with Care

Drying is just as critical as washing when it comes to preventing damage.

As I mentioned earlier, NEVER wring or twist silk to remove moisture. This overstretches the fibers leading them to break down more quickly.

Here are the proper methods for drying delicate silk garments:

Air Drying

Lay silk garments flat on top of a thick, non-fuzzy towel or arrange neatly over a drying rack. Ensure the fabric keeps its natural shape while drying.

Avoid direct sunlight which can fade colors. Also keep away from direct heat like radiators or vents as this causes brittle spots.

I like to gently reshape my silk blouses while drying, smoothing any wrinkles with my hands. This prevents deep creases from setting.

Blotting

If silk items are still quite damp after the wash cycle, do a gentle blotting:

• Roll shirt smoothly inside a colorfast cotton towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Unroll the shirt and lay flat after a minute or two.
• Reshape seams or collars if needed.
• Change towels as they become saturated.
• Avoid prolonged blotting or rubbing as this can damage delicate fibers.

Ironing and Steaming

Silk responds beautifully to heat so ironing and steaming are perfectly safe IF proper precautions are taken. Here are my top tips:

Ironing:

• Use medium-low heat setting for silk, around 250°F to 300°F max. Start cooler rather than hotter.
• Place a clean cotton cloth or press cloth over silk before ironing directly. This prevents shine marks.
• Iron slowly using gentle up-and-down motions. Avoid pushing or pulling the iron across the fabric.
• Check temperature guidelines first since silk charmeuse, for example, requires a cooler setting around 230°F.

Steaming:

• A garment steamer provides a nice alternative for freshening silk items without the direct heat of ironing.
• Use a medium steam setting and hold the nozzle about an inch above fabric.
• Slowly steam entire garment using light motions to relax wrinkles. Avoid prolonged heat in one spot.
• For collars or structured areas, hover steam first to relax fibers then use hand to smooth shape as it cools.
• Check for dye bleeding on a hidden area before steaming colored silk.

Storing Silk Shirts

Improper storage causes more damage to fabrics than just about anything else.

Silk is prone to creasing, color transfer, weakening fibers and even insect damage when not stored properly.

Follow these guidelines:

Short-Term Storage

• Leave silk garments on padded hangers rather than folded in a drawer if they will be worn again soon. This avoids deep creases from setting in.
• If hanging multiple silk pieces, keep them spaced apart to prevent friction and pulling. Use cloth garment dividers if needed.
• Store in a closet away from windows, heat sources, and humidity which can damage silk over time.

Long-Term Storage

• Clean silk items thoroughly before storing off-season to prevent yellowing.
• Fold garments using acid-free tissue paper between layers to avoid dye transfer or water marks over time.
• Place items in breathable fabric storage boxes, never plastic. This allows air circulation while keeping dust and insects away.
• Store off the floor on shelves inside a closet or under the bed.

I like to use cedar blocks in my silk storage boxes since cedar naturally repels moths and other pests without chemicals. Lavender sachets also give stored clothing a light fresh scent.

Here’s a quick reference table for recommended silk shirt storage solutions:

Handling Silk Garments with Care

It’s not just the cleaning and storage that impacts the longevity of silk. How you physically handle them day-to-day also makes a difference.

Silk is prone to snags, pulls, abrasion damage and even shattering. Here are my top handling tips:

• Turn silk garments inside out before ironing or steaming to avoid damaging the outer fabric.
• Avoid hanging items by narrow straps as they can stretch permanently. Use wide padded hangers.
• Prevent snags by wearing a camisole under silk tops and removing jewelry before dressing.
• Turn cuffs and collars inward before sliding shirts over your head to minimize friction.
• Unbutton silk blouses fully when removing rather than pulling over your head.
• Hang immediately after wearing to allow moisture from your body to dissipate rather than setting into fibers.
• Limit your use of perfume, hair spray and deodorant when wearing silk. These can leave residue spots over time.

Common Silk Care Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to cause irreparable damage to your favorite silk pieces without realizing it.

Here are the top mistakes that lead to premature aging of silk fabrics:

• Machine washing in hot water or with harsh detergents
• Aggressive scrubbing at stains rather than gentle dabbing
• Wringing water out vigorously or twisting wet items
• Allowing silk to sit wet for prolonged periods before drying
• Storing folded or hanging silk improperly long-term
• Using very hot iron settings without a protective cloth
• Pulling shirts over your head repeatedly rather than unbuttoning fully

Pay attention to these common care errors and adjust your habits.

By becoming a silk care expert yourself, you’ll extend the lifespan of all your favorite silky staples for years of enjoyment!

Maintaining the Luxurious Quality of Silk

Caring properly for silk may involve a few more steps than our daily cotton tees, but the extra effort pays off.

There’s nothing quite like the decadent feel and graceful drape that high-quality silk provides.

Follow my cleaning, storage and handling recommendations religiously and your silk shirts will retain their magnificence season after season.