Can I Iron Silk Sheets

Can I iron silk sheets?

Can I iron silk sheetsSilk is a luxury fabric and we are often asked whether you can iron silk sheets. The answer is yes, assuming you take care. We find however that after a couple of washes, silk sheets will often have fewer wrinkles and don’t generally require ironing, assuming you remove the sheets from the dryer quickly and put them away. Still, if you do want to get out some stubborn wrinkles, you can iron silk. Here are a couple of quick tips to keep in mind when ironing your silk sheets.

  1. Use a lower heat setting. You don’t want to be ironing your silk sheets at the same setting as your cotton sheets. Choose a setting on the low side (most irons have a silk setting) and then slowly increase the heat if need.
  2. Keep the iron moving: Never keep the iron in the same place long. Move quickly over the silk.
  3. Iron from the back of the sheet: Always iron your sheets from backside of the silk (the side with the matte finish). This will reduce the chance of damaging the silk.
  4. Clean the iron before you start: Some irons can build up rust and other debris in the steam holes. We suggest you release steam from the iron a few times on some cotton fabric before you start.
  5. Use a clean piece of cotton on top: You can place a clean piece of cotton over top the silk when ironing to reduce the chance of damaging the silk fabric.

With care and a little patience, it is possible to iron silk sheets for a clean result. As always, try out these techniques on your silk bedding in a small section first before proceeding.

silk vs cotton sheets

Silk vs. Egyptian Cotton Sheets

Both silk sheets and Egyptian cotton sheets have their advantages and disadvantages. When considering which to choose for your bed, you will need to compare these features and decide which is most important to you. As a general rule of thumb, figure out three most important features for your needs and select the product that scores best on those points.

Silk Sheets Egyptian Cotton Sheets
High insulating factor (keeps you warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer) Average insulating properties
High surface moisture wicking (removes surface moisture from the skin quickly) Moderate moisture wicking rate
Natural protein fiber from silk warms Processed thread from the cotton plant
Higher upfront cost Lower upfront cost
Naturally hypoallergenic (Resists mold, mildew, dust mites and fungus) Not hypoallergenic. Frequent washing can help keep allergens at bay
Sold by momme weight Sold by thread count
Extremely comfortable to sleep on High thread count versions can be quite comfortable to sleep on.
Primarily sourced from China in Asia Sourced from Egypt in the Middle East
Machine wash cold with mild detergent Machine wash hot

No matter which you choose, both Silk and Egyptian cotton sheets can be a vast improvement over a standard cotton set of sheets. If cost is a major concern, you may lean towards Egyptian Cotton Sheets or Bamboo Sheets which have a luxurious feel at a more affordable price. If however, you’re looking for the best of the best in sheets, seamless silk sheets should be your first choice.