How to Get Wrinkles Out of Silk (Can You Iron It?)

The gentlest, safest way to get wrinkles out of silk is to steam it, not press it — hang the piece, run a steamer (or even your bathroom's shower steam) over it, and the creases relax and fall out. You can iron silk if you'd rather, but only on the lowest silk setting, turned inside out, slightly damp, with a cloth between the iron and the fabric. Never put a hot, dry iron straight onto silk. And the best trick of all costs nothing: smooth silk flat and hang it straight after washing, and most of the time it barely wrinkles in the first place.

Here's the full how-to — steaming, careful ironing, and how to avoid the creases altogether.

How to get wrinkles out of silk

Steam is silk's friend; direct heat is its enemy — so reach for moisture and gravity first. The easiest methods, in order of gentleness:

• Handheld steamer: hang the silk, hold the steamer an inch or two away, and move it down the fabric. The creases drop out in seconds, no contact required.
• Bathroom steam: hang the piece in the bathroom while you run a hot shower; the damp warmth relaxes light wrinkles on its own.
• Smooth while damp: straight out of the wash, stretch and smooth the silk flat with your hands and hang it neatly — many creases simply dry out.
• A light mist: a spray of cool water on a hanging piece, smoothed by hand, will coax out small wrinkles as it dries.

For a pillowcase especially, smoothing it damp and laying it flat is usually all it ever needs.

Can you iron silk?

Yes — carefully, and only when steam won't give you a crisp enough finish. If you must iron silk, follow these rules without exception:

1. Set the iron to its lowest or dedicated "silk" setting. No steam-burst, no high heat.
2. Turn the item inside out so the iron never touches the visible surface.
3. Place a pressing cloth — a clean cotton tea towel or pillowcase — between the iron and the silk.
4. Iron while the silk is slightly damp, and keep the iron moving — never let it rest in one spot.
5. Don't spray water directly onto silk as you go; uneven wet spots can leave water marks. Even dampness is the aim.

Done this way, ironing is safe. Done with a hot, dry iron straight onto the fabric, it scorches, flattens the sheen and can leave permanent shine marks — the damage you can't undo.

Steaming vs ironing: which should you use?

For nearly everyone, steaming wins. It refreshes and de-creases silk without the fabric ever touching a hot plate, so the risk of scorching or shine marks is essentially nil, and it's quicker for hanging garments. Ironing earns its place only when you want a sharp, pressed finish — a collar, a hem, a crisp edge — that steam can't quite deliver. If you own a steamer, you'll rarely need the iron for silk at all; if you don't, the careful low-heat method above is your fallback.

How to stop silk wrinkling in the first place

Most silk creasing is avoidable, which makes this the best section of all. Don't wring or twist silk when washing — press the water out in a towel instead. Smooth it flat and hang or lay it straight away while damp. Don't leave it crumpled in the machine or the laundry basket. And store silk loosely, on a padded hanger or folded gently in a drawer, rather than crushed under heavier items. A good 22-momme silk also holds its shape better and wrinkles less than flimsy, low-momme fabric. Get the washing and drying right — as set out in our silk pillowcase care guide — and wrinkles mostly cease to be a problem.

If you'd like silk that resists creasing and rewards gentle care, our LS Silk AU mulberry silk pillowcases are 22-momme, 100% mulberry silk and OEKO-TEX certified — smooth, substantial, and quick to settle flat.

Silk and wrinkles, then, are easily reconciled: a little steam, a gentle hand, and the foresight to hang it smooth while damp. Keep the hot dry iron for your cotton shirts — silk would much rather have the steam.