How to Care for a Silk Robe: Wash, Dry, Store

A silk robe gets more wear than most silk: on in the morning, on again at night, sometimes over a damp shower. That makes care simple to get right and costly to get wrong. Our silk robes are 19 momme mulberry silk, a weight that drapes well and stands up to regular washing when it is washed the right way.

How often to wash it

Every three or four wears is enough for most people, or sooner after a warm night or if you put it on over moisturizer or body oil. Silk breathes and does not hold odor the way synthetics do, so it rarely needs washing after a single wear. Between washes, hang it to air for an hour.

Before you wash

• Read the care label. Trims, linings and robe sets can have their own instructions.
• Take the belt out of its loops and wash it alongside the robe, so it cannot twist and pull the loops.
• Treat marks first. Blot, don't rub. For oil, cover the mark with cornstarch for an hour, then brush it off.

Hand washing (recommended)

1. Fill a basin with cool water and a little pH-neutral detergent made for silk or wool, with no enzymes or bleach.

2. Submerge the robe and move it gently for two or three minutes. Don't soak it; long soaks are where dye moves.

3. Rinse in clean cool water until it runs clear.

4. Press the water out with flat hands. Never wring a robe: the weight of wet silk twisted on itself is what distorts the shoulders and hem.

5. Lay it on a towel, roll it up and press.

Machine washing

Use a large mesh laundry bag, a cold delicate or silk cycle and the lowest spin. Wash the robe on its own or with other silk; zips and hooks on other clothes snag silk. Never use a hot wash or the dryer.

Drying without stretching

Lay the robe flat on a dry towel, or drape it over a drying rack so the weight is spread along its length. Don't hang a wet robe on a hanger: water is heavy, and the shoulders stretch. Keep it out of direct sun, which fades color and weakens silk over time, and away from radiators.

Lace trim and robe sets

A lace-trimmed robe is washed the same way, by hand if you can, with extra care around the lace: support it in the water rather than letting it drag, and press it flat to dry so it keeps its edge. Lace may be a different fiber from the silk body, so check the label before using anything other than cool water and a gentle detergent.

For a robe and camisole set, wash the two together so the colors age at the same rate.

Ironing and steaming

Most creases drop out if you smooth the robe by hand while it is still slightly damp. If you need more, a steamer held a few inches away is the easiest way to deal with a full-length robe. To iron, use the silk setting and press the reverse side, through a cotton cloth if you have one. Our guide to washing silk covers ironing in more detail.

Everyday wear

• Let skincare dry first. Oils and creams mark silk; antiperspirant can yellow it over time.
• Take it off to cook. Wide sleeves and kitchen splashes don't mix.
• Hang it on a padded hanger between wears. A wire hanger leaves shoulder points; a hook pulls the neckline.

Storing between seasons

For long storage, fold the robe loosely with the belt laid inside, and keep it in a breathable cotton bag in a drawer. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture and can yellow silk. Keep cedar and mothballs from touching the fabric directly.

When to use a dry cleaner

For a stain you can't identify, or a mark that has already set, a cleaner who handles silk regularly is the safer choice. Tell them it is mulberry silk.

Common questions

Can I tumble dry a silk robe? No. Heat and tumbling shrink silk and dull it, even on a low setting.

Why has my robe gone stiff? Usually leftover detergent or hard water. Rinse it again in cool water, with a splash of white vinegar in the final rinse.

Does a long robe need different care? Only more room: dry a long robe over a rack or on a large towel so it lies flat along its whole length.