How to wash a silk bonnet

The six-step wash

1. Step 1

   Wash by hand in cool water

   Fill a clean basin with cool water — under 30°C / 86°F. Hot water swells silk fibres and dulls the shine that protects your hair. Never put a silk bonnet through a hot wash.

2. Step 2

   Use a pH-neutral silk or baby shampoo

   Add a small amount of a gentle, pH-neutral detergent. Avoid regular laundry powder, bleach, brighteners and anything enzyme-based: those break down the protein in mulberry silk.

3. Step 3

   Swirl for three minutes — never scrub

   Submerge the bonnet and swirl it gently for two to three minutes, giving the inner band a light squeeze where hair oils and product build up. No wringing, twisting or brushing.

4. Step 4

   Rinse until the water runs clear

   Rinse in fresh cool water two or three times. Leftover detergent leaves silk stiff and slightly sticky against the hair.

5. Step 5

   Press the water out with a towel

   Lay the bonnet flat on a dry cotton towel, roll the towel up and press. Squeezing or wringing the fabric stretches the weave permanently.

6. Step 6

   Air dry away from sun and heat

   Dry flat or on a padded hanger, indoors, out of direct sunlight. Skip the tumble dryer and the radiator — both scorch silk and cause yellowing.

Storing your bonnet

Keep the bonnet loosely folded in a breathable cotton pouch or a drawer, away from direct sunlight, damp and rough fabrics such as denim or velcro. Do not store it sealed in plastic — silk needs air, and trapped moisture causes yellowing. If you wear a bonnet every night, rotating between two lets each one rest and recover its shape.

Common questions

How often should I wash my silk bonnet?

Every one to two weeks with regular nightly use, or sooner if you use heavy oils, leave-in creams or styling products. The elastic band is usually the first part to need attention.

Can I machine wash a silk bonnet?

Hand washing is always safest. If you must use a machine, place the bonnet in a mesh laundry bag, choose the delicate or silk cycle at 30°C or below, use a silk-safe detergent and never spin above 400 rpm.

Can I iron a silk bonnet?

Only if needed. Use the lowest setting or a silk setting, iron on the reverse side while slightly damp, and place a cotton cloth between the iron and the silk. Never iron over the elastic.

How do I remove hair oil stains from silk?

Treat the spot as soon as you can. Dab — do not rub — a drop of pH-neutral detergent onto the mark, leave it for five minutes, then hand wash as usual. Avoid stain removers containing bleach or enzymes.

How long does a mulberry silk bonnet last?

A 19-momme mulberry silk bonnet that is hand washed and air dried will typically hold its sheen and stretch for one to two years of nightly wear. Rotating two bonnets doubles that comfortably.