How to Clean a Satin Pillow Case

Satin pillowcases feel luxurious but easily stain.

The smooth texture of a satin pillowcase makes owning the material appealing. The fact that it's not as simple to clean a satin pillowcase as it is to clean a cotton one makes the material less appealing. Nevertheless, you needn't take extra precautions to keep your satin pillowcases clean, nor do you have to take satin pillowcases to the dry cleaner's. You can wash satin pillowcases at home, so long as you are careful not to wreck the material.

Things You'll Need

• Delicate fabric detergent, such as Woolite
• Cold water
• Rag
• Towel

Instructions

1. Check the manufacturer's tag for the material information. Not all satin is the same. Your satin pillowcases will be made of either silk, polyester, nylon, acetate or any combination of these materials. If you no longer have access to the manufacturer's information, assume your pillowcases are the most delicate of these materials, acetate.

2. Fill a tub, sink or container with cold water. Add one half capful of delicate fabric detergent as the container fills. If your satin pillowcase contains only nylon, you may add the pillowcase to the coldest temperature wash on your washing machine if you like. Put no other type of satin in the washing machine.

3. Soak pillowcases under the cold water. Allow to sit for three to five minutes.

4. Treat any stains that remain. If the satin pillowcase contains stains that do not lift after your initial soak, pour a small amount of the gentle laundry detergent on a rag. Pat the stain with the rag for a few minutes. Allow the pillowcase to sit for a few hours.

5. Drain the tub, sink or container. Rinse the pillowcase with cold water. Do not ring the material as you rinse it.

6. Set the towel on a clean, flat surface. Lay the pillowcase flat on the towel and allow it to dry overnight. Do not ring the excess moisture out of the material.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry clean the pillowcases if you can. Acetate satin especially responds better to dry cleaning than washing the material with water.

• You may hang dry polyester satin if you like without risking damage to the material.

• Never use hot water to wash your satin. Hot water shrinks satin.

• Do not put satin pillowcases in the dryer.

• Do not expose nylon pillowcases to the sunlight. Limit the exposure of silk pillowcases to the sun.

References

• HowtoCleanStuff.net: How to Clean Satin
• Satin Ann: How to Wash Silk and Satin Sheets