What Happens When You Iron Silk?
The biggest worry when ironing silk is burning your beautiful pillowcases or bedding. And -- trust us -- silk can burn fairly easily. Similar to your hair, silk fiber is protein based. This is the reason why pure mulberry silk pillowcases sheets and pillowcases are so moisturizing to your hair and skin. However, like hair, silk will also burn under intense heat; if you've ever scorched your hair with a flat iron, you know what that's like. In fact, the legendary "burn test" is often used to determine whether a piece of fabric is genuine silk, as silk. burns similarly to hair (with ashes) while polyester satin tends to melt like plastic.
What Setting Should You Use on Your Iron When Ironing Silk?
Because silk fibers burn easily, you should use the coolest temperature possible when ironing silk, whether it is silk bedding, a silk scarf, or silk clothes. Fortunately, most modern irons come with specific settings for various types of fabrics, including a dedicated silk setting. As a general guideline, synthetic fabrics made of acetate or other polyester materials are usually ironed at the coolest setting, around 275°F, while cotton and linen are ironed at temperatures of 400°F or more. On most irons, the silk setting temperature is approximately 300°F.
he Best Types of Surfaces to Iron Silk On
Iron your silk on a CLEAN surface with a CLEAN iron. Silk is uniquely vulnerable to staining, and any residual stain on these surfaces is likely to transfer to your fine silk. Cleaning an iron is relatively simple to do and well worth the effort.
We recommend using an ironing board, again with a clean cover. If you wish, you can lay a clean white sheet over the cover. If you don't use an ironing board, make sure you are using a hard, flat surface that is heat-resistant and clean.
You may also want to use a press cloth, which is a piece of fabric you lay on top of the silk you are ironing.
Seven Tips and Cautions When Ironing Silk
Use an iron with a dedicated silk setting and a clean surface, preferably an ironing board.
Iron your silk while it's still a bit damp. After the wash, hang your silk sheets until they are almost dry then iron. Don't wring out excess water, which can damage the silk.
Spot test the temperature of your iron in a non-noticeable location to make sure the silk is not burning.
Turn the silk inside out and use the iron on the "wrong" side. For Mulberry Park Silks charmeuse sheets, this means you will NOT be ironing the shiny side, but instead, the duller side.
Pass the iron quickly across the surface of the silk; do not use a back and forth motion which can cause scorch marks. If you are ironing clothing, or a pillowcase or sheet set with only light wrinkles, use the press cloth between your iron and the silk and gently press out the wrinkles as opposed to moving back and forth.
DO NOT use a steam iron, as the moisture from the steam can leave water stains on silk sheets and bedding (note: you can, however, use a fabric steaming wand, although it will work better on silk garments than it will on silk sheets).
Less is more! Start with the lowest possible temperature and increase only as needed.
Also remember that you don't need to remove every wrinkle. Your sheets and pillowcases will naturally release wrinkles on their own within a day or two on your bed.