How to Wash Silk Underwear

Between dry clean this, gentle cycle that, it seems like every piece of clothing we own suddenly demands its own set of specific care directions. Not to mention handwashing, which can seem arduous even though it really isn’t! Don’t you want to ask if you can just use the washing machine? The answer for Uwila Warrior's silk underwear is, you can technically do both.

 “We recommend to hand wash cold, line dry, because that’s the safest care for the product,” says Samantha Benassai, head of product at Uwila Warrior. However, she notes, “Our fabric and our laces are both machine-washable.”

 Our silk is surprisingly robust and the integrity of the garment won't be compromised with either option, but they might lose the luster of their look. In this post, we will go through both options and the pros and cons of hand washing vs. machine washing your Soft Silk Thong or Soft Silk Briefs. 

How to hand-wash silk underwear: 

You’ll want a gentle detergent, such as Soak Wash, a female-owned brand we love. “You don’t want to apply any bleach or anything harsh because it will break down the color and fiber faster,” says Benassai.

 We recommend filling a bucket or sink with cool water and adding a capful of Soak wash (for every gallon of water). With Soak, you don't have to do any intense scrubbing of the garment. Simply soak it for 15 minutes (longer is okay), then gently squeeze out the water. Roll the underwear in a dry towel and squeeze out moisture. Lay flat to dry.

 What are the pros of hand-washing silk underwear?

Hand-washing is usually the more sustainable option, as it requires less water and no energy for the dryer. Beyond that, “Cooler water is more eco-friendly because there’s less resources used to heat up the water,” says Benassai.

 It’s also better for the overall appearance of the silk undergarments. “If you wash silk underwear by hand in cold water, the sheen is going to last longer,” explains Uwila Warrior founder Lisa Mullan. That being said, she says a bit of warm water (not hot!) may be needed too. “Silk stretches a little bit, so a little bit of warm water helps it recover. It’s a little bit of a push and pull.”

What are the cons of hand-washing silk underwear?

Of course, hand-washing doesn’t have the convenience of using the washing machine and dryer. That being said, you can do it pretty much anywhere, so we count that as a win.

How to wash silk underwear in the washing machine: 

If machine washing is your thing, you are in luck with Uwila Warrior Soft Silk underwear! “Our silk underwear can go in the washer and dryer, it’s not going to fall apart,” confirms Mullan. But she does say that it may not last for as many wears. You might notice some slight pilling,  as you would on most articles of clothing that are put through a machine cycle.

 Be sure to use the lowest spin cycle (the delicates cycle, if your machine has one), and a gentle detergent like Soak. For added protection, put your silk underwear in a wash bag. “We recommend putting them in a wash bag so you don’t get heavy abrasion with other things in your laundry such as zippers or hook and eyes that might snag,” says Benassai. 

 If you have the time, you might skip the dryer, which Benassai says combines both heat and abrasion—two of silk’s mortal enemies. “Anytime you put it in the dryer you’re going to wear down the color, luster, and the fibers in the fabric more quickly,” she explains.

What are the pros of machine-washing silk underwear?

The washing machine is extra-convenient, especially for cleaning multiple pairs of silk panties at once. And if you have a pair that is a little more stained, it might be preferable to use the washing machine. 

What are the cons of machine-washing silk underwear?

As mentioned, your silk panties may just have a shorter overall lifespan. “If we put things in the washing machine, they go through longer periods of abrasion,” says Benassai. As that abrasion happens, the fabric sheds more and more fibers, eventually leading to holes. 

We hope this is helpful to get the most out of your silk underwear. These washing techniques and guidelines are also true for all of our other products/fabrics. If you have any questions, please reach out to warriors@uwilawarrior.com.