My silk pillowcases stink

[nottaotter]

Started using silk pillowcase as it doesn't pull my hair out at night like cotton. But despite washing regularly they smell awful like greasy hair, I wash hair in shower everyday. Do I chuck and start again?

How are you washing them?

30 degrees with a herbal and jasmine liquid wash, forgotten the brand.

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There’s a reason for biological powder and washing things hot, but unfortunately silk doesn’t stand up to rough treatment very well, hence it traditionally being a luxury material rather than one for everyday use.
If it was summer I would suggest line drying so the ultra violet will help kill bacteria.

Do they still smell straight after a wash? If so would a bit of white vinegar help? I don’t know if it’s gentle enough for silk so I’d check the label first though. That’s my favourite washing stuff!

@Orangewall yes they do, thanks for vinegar tip as I might as well try, can't make them any worse!

See this site for help on care for silk pillowcases:

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-wash-a-silk-pillowcase-4686430#:~:text=Never%20use%20bleach%20to%20whiten,removing%20odor%20from%20the%20fabric.
presoak the pillowcases in a sink or basin filled with cool water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar.

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel I think I might try a bio powder as I was thinking the liquid prob wasnt helping.

Agree with vinegar suggestion, also tea tree oil might help.

Long term it will damage it but pragmatically if the alternative is throwing it away you might decide to do it as a one off.

I've machine washed mine on gentle with normal non bio washing liquid. Then as pp says line dry in sun

Mine were relatively cheap though

What type of smell?

Do you hang them out to dry? Maybe with them being dried indoors and being a natural fibre they may absorb some smells?

No scientific facts behind this really except it happened to me with a mohair jumper.

I just soak mine in cold water (with bio as we don't get any other type powder). Rinse a few times and hang out. I have not ever noticed a smell. I do hang in the sun which I suppose you aren't meant to, so maybe that is keeping it fresher ?

Sorry I see you said hair smell. Ok next question, do you have a pillow cover on under the silk pillowcase ?

unfortunately silk doesn’t stand up to rough treatment very well, hence it traditionally being a luxury material rather than one for everyday use.

Mine have been through a 60° wash by accidental experiment, and they're fine, tears old. A hotter wash once in a while might reduce their life a bit, but less so than binning them from smell. I've also soaked a silk sheet in bio powder in water after bleeding on it. Basically, silk will survive some rougher treatment - not like cotton, but it's not going to be really, really delicate if it's bedding.

I agree that hanging it outside when weather allows is good. Plus, silk dries quicker than most other fabrics.

@isthismylifenow I have a quilted pillow protector, but its quite a thin cheap one I guess.

@EBearhug I think I might do a 60 wash then, as the silk is in good condition its just the smell! So like you say it might reduce the life a bit but the alternative is bin.