Satin sheets and pillowcases epitomize old Hollywood luxury. But satin sheets offer more than glamour; they support healthy hair and skin by reducing friction. We have all the scoop on what makes satin so enticing and step-by-step instructions on how to care for your satin sheets and pillowcases to keep them soft and silky.
Satin Sheets vs. Silk Sheets
If you are confused about whether you should buy silk or satin sheets and pillowcases, here’s a helpful lesson. Satin refers to the smooth, glossy weave of a fabric. Satin sheets can be woven from silk, cotton, rayon, polyester, or wool threads. Silk sheets are a natural fabric woven from the fibers produced by silkworms. The fibers are usually woven with a satin weave so the fabric has a sheen and soft feel.
Silk fibers require more delicate care than cotton and polyester fibers but hot water, harsh detergents, and high drying temperatures should be avoided for any satin bedding.
When shopping for satin sheets, check the care label to identify the fiber content of the bedding. While all satin sheets can be hand- or machine-washed, the label will help you determine the best care for the bedding.
What You’ll Need
- Gentle laundry detergent
- Enzyme-based stain remover
- Washing machine or large tub for hand-washing
- Mesh delicates bag
- Clothes dryer or indoor drying rack
How to Wash Satin Sheets and Pillowcases
Satin sheets and pillowcases can be machine- or hand-washed. To keep them soft, use gentle agitation, cool water, gentle detergent, and low drying temperatures.
Step 1: Sort Your Dirty Laundry
Sort your dirty laundry and wash satin sheets and pillowcases alone or with another satin set. Washing satin fabrics with blue jeans or other heavy garments will result in snags and possible tears.
Step 2: Pretreat Stains
If you have pet or food stains on satin sheets, pretreat them with a dab of gentle laundry detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover. Work the detergent into the stain with your fingers and set the fabric aside for 10 to 15 minutes so the detergent can begin breaking the bond between the stain and the fabric.
Step 3: Set Washer Settings and Add Sheets
Select the gentle cycle, cold water, and lowest final spin cycle available on your washer. Add a gentle detergent to the automatic dispenser or washer drum. It’s best to turn pillowcases inside out and place them in a mesh delicates bag to prevent excess wear and tear.
If handwashing, pretreat stains and set aside. Fill a large sink or tub with cool water and add a gentle detergent. Add the satin sheets and let them soak for 30 minutes. Gently agitate while the sheets are in the soapy water to help release soil. Drain the sink and rinse with cool water. Gently squeeze out the excess water, do not wring.
Step 4: Gently Dry the Sheets
Use the low heat setting on your automatic dryer to tumble dry satin sheets. High drying temperatures can weaken the long fibers in the stain weave. Remove the pillowcases from the delicates bag before drying to reduce wrinkles. Then, remove the sheets from the dryer while still slightly damp. Spread the sheets on the bed or hang them on an indoor drying rack to finish drying.
You can use an indoor drying rack to air-dry the sheets. Avoid hanging outdoors in direct sunlight that can damage the finish.
Removing Wrinkles From Satin Sheets
Most of us don’t bother ironing sheets but you may want to smooth out wrinkles on your satin pillowcases. You can use an iron or clothes steamer.
Choose the low to medium-low heat setting on the iron and always use a pressing cloth between the iron and fabric to prevent scorching. If using a clothes steamer, keep the nozzle at least six inches away from the surface of the satin to help prevent water spotting on the fabric.
