Once reserved for royalty, few other fabrics can offer the qualities and luxurious appearance and feel of silk. But also, it can wrinkle if it becomes damp while being worn or if it is not washed properly. Thankfully, removing wrinkles from silk can be done with a few simple steps.

Learn how to get wrinkles out of silk clothes, bedding, and accessories without damaging it.

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Silk

Silk fibers are durable but are susceptible to wrinkles when twisted, folded, or crushed during washing or while being worn. However, a silk garment is sensitive to high temperatures and can lose its structure or scorch so care must be taken.

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Use a Clothes Steamer

Using a handheld clothes steamer is one of the safest ways to remove wrinkles from silk clothes.

1. Fill the steamer with distilled water and let it heat until there is a steady flow of steam.
2. Turn your silk garment inside out, place it on a sturdy hanger, and hang it in an open area so you can access all sides of the garment.
3. When the steam is flowing freely, hold the steamer at least 6 inches away from the fabric to avoid excessive heat. Starting at the top of the garment, apply steam directly over the wrinkled area.

The heat and moisture from the clothes steamer will relax the fibers removing the wrinkles and creases.

Use an Iron

You can iron silk but you must use a pressing cloth between the iron and the silk. A pressing cloth is usually a thin cotton piece of cloth like a kitchen dishtowel. This will help protect the silk from scorching and possible stains if your iron spits discolored water.

1. If your iron has a silk setting, choose it or the lowest heat setting.
2. Dampen the pressing cloth and place it over the wrinkled areas of the garment.
3. Press lightly and keep the iron moving.
4. When the wrinkles are removed, hang the garment and allow it to air dry.

Do not wear the item until it is completely dry to prevent additional wrinkling.

Steam Away Wrinkles in the Shower

If you’re traveling, you can use a steamy shower to remove wrinkles from silk. Hang the garment on a sturdy hanger and find a spot in the bathroom to hang it where it will get plenty of steam but not get splashed by the water.

Turn on the hot water in the shower and allow it to run for 5 to 10 minutes without turning on the bathroom vent fan. Be sure all doors and windows are closed. After the room is filled with steam, smooth the silk fabric with your hands along the seams, cuffs, and collars.

If you’re in a hurry, move the garment to a non-steamy area to dry. Leaving it in the steam for as long as possible will give you the best wrinkle-free results.

3 Other Ways to Get Wrinkles Out of Silk

• Mist with water. Misting creases in silk with water can help the fibers relax. Turn the garment inside out and mist lightly. Smooth the fabric with your hands and be sure to let the garment dry before you wear it.
• Use a wrinkle release spray. Commercial wrinkle-releasing sprays can be used on silk, but there is a chance of spotting. Always turn the garment inside out, mist lightly, and hang the item to air dry.
• Use a hair dryer. After misting the silk with water, use a handheld hair dryer to dry the fabric. The combination of moisture and heat will help relax the fibers. Use the lowest setting on the hair dryer and hold it at least 6 inches from the surface of the fabric. Keep the dryer moving to avoid overheating one area.

5 Tips for Caring for Silk

• Do not toss silk into an automatic dryer. Always air dry silk garments.
• When washing silk by hand or in a washer, use cool water and a gentle detergent.
• Never wring silk when handwashing; gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Use the gentle cycle and a low spin setting when machine-washing.
• Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to help the silk keep (or regain) its luster.
• Hang silk garments or gently roll them when storing or packing to avoid severe, difficult to remove creases.