Written by Anya, Founder of The Silk Collection · Updated August 2026
Hand wash your silk scrunchies in cool water with a few drops of gentle, silk-friendly detergent. Soak gently, rinse in cold water, and never wring or squeeze the fabric. Leave to air dry flat overnight, away from direct sunlight and heat. The whole wash takes under five minutes.
In this guide
The wash steps · Shine and bounce · Day-to-day care · What to avoid · The scrunchies · The overnight routine · FAQs
How to clean silk scrunchies
"Can silk scrunchies get wet?" and "how do I wash silk scrunchies?" are two of the most common questions we get asked about our silk hair scrunchies, so we have put together our top tips on how to wash silk scrunchies at home so that you can keep them in good condition for years to come.
Our silk hair scrunchies and silk hair bands are all made from luxurious 100% mulberry silk fabric which is a delicate, natural material. There are a range of benefits of using silk scrunchies for hair due to this soft and delicate texture, including reduced hair breakage and reduced frizz. However, this also comes with the need to look after your silk hair ties carefully to keep them in good condition over time.
Here at The Silk Collection, we have been crafting pure mulberry silk scrunchies and hair ties for years, and in our experience the way you wash them is the difference between a scrunchie that lasts a season and one that lasts for years.
We recommend washing your silk scrunchies and hair ties regularly to avoid build up of dirt and to keep them clean and healthy for your hair, especially if you use them everyday or during exercise. The good news is that cleaning your silk scrunchies is a very quick process (under 5 minutes) by following the steps below.
The Silk Collection classic silk scrunchie gift set
How to wash silk scrunchies
There are a few simple steps to follow to wash your silk scrunchies. We are often asked if silk scrunchies can be washed in a washing-machine, and the simple answer is no. Silk scrunchies are very delicate and to keep them in good condition, you must clean them by hand-washing them to avoid any damage to the mulberry silk fabric.
The good news is that it is very quick to hand-wash silk hair scrunchies, so you can wash silk scrunchies within 5 minutes to quickly and efficiently keep your silk scrunchies clean.
Steps to take to clean silk scrunchies:
1. Fill a small bucket or bowl with cool water.
2. Add a few drops of silk-friendly detergent.
3. Gently soak your silk scrunchies in the water. If there are small marks, rub gently in the water to slowly remove.
4. Remove from the water bath and do a final rinse in cold water only.
5. Leave the silk scrunchie out to dry overnight in an area without direct sunlight or excess heat. Do not wring or squeeze the scrunchie as this may damage the delicate fabric.
NOTE: you can wash your other silk pieces, including your silk eye mask, silk headband, silk robe and silk heatless curler using this same method. Find out more tips on how to wash your other silk items here.
Silk bedding is the one exception to the hand-wash-only rule. Our full guide on how to wash a silk pillowcase covers how to machine wash it safely on a cold, delicate cycle.
One tip we learned the hard way: after rinsing, lay the scrunchie on one half of a clean, dry towel, fold the other half over it and press gently with flat hands. This takes out most of the water without wringing, so the scrunchie dries overnight rather than sitting damp into the next day.
★★★★★
“Beautiful white scrunchie. Well made , washes well leaves no marks in my hair. Love them”
See the silk scrunchies up close
Styling the Classic Silk Scrunchie
The Pure Silk Hair Ties, up close
How to add shine and bounce to your silk scrunchies
Once the scrunchie is dry, you may notice the scrunchie is slightly flatter or the colour has dulled slightly. If this is the case, we have a simple yet effective tip!
Use a steamer to gently steam the silk hair scrunchie for just a few seconds on either side. The warm air from the steam will bring back the silk scrunchie shape and bounce, as well as its shiny sheen after just a couple of seconds!
NOTE: Do not hold the steamer too near to the scrunchie but a good distance away (at least 5cm) so that it still absorbs some of the warm air. Do not use the steamer for more than a few seconds as this could lead to damaging the silk fabric.
If you do not have a steamer, you can use an iron on a steam setting to mimic these results.
How to look after silk scrunchies from day-to-day
Can silk scrunchies get wet?
From day-to-day, we recommend avoiding getting your silk scrunchies wet (avoid keeping them on your wrist in the shower or on holiday in the swimming pool!) and avoid any extreme heat (keep far away from the sauna!) as this can alter the shape, size and texture of the silk. If you are going to get your silk scrunchie wet, it should only be whilst cleaning the silk scrunchie carefully using the steps above!
How often should I wash scrunchies?
This will depend on how often you use your silk hair scrunchies. If you use silk scrunchies and silk hair ties regularly for exercise or throughout the day, we recommend washing these at least every couple of weeks to keep them clean and to help prevent the build up of oil and bacteria.
If you have silk scrunchies that you save for special occasions (such as our Luxe Oversized Silk Scrunchie) and these are worn less frequently, then you can choose to wash these less frequently, for example once a month or every other month.
★★★★★
“Amazing quality and the colours are gorgeous. I absolutely hammer the mini scrunchies every day and they last so well.”
What to avoid when washing silk scrunchies
Most of the damage we see comes from habits carried over from washing everyday fabrics. Here is a quick reference of what to keep your scrunchies away from, and what to do instead.
| The mistake | Why it harms silk | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Machine washing | The agitation and spin are too rough for the delicate mulberry silk fabric | A five minute hand wash in cool water |
| Hot water | Heat can alter the shape, size and texture of the silk | Cool water, under 30 degrees Celsius |
| Harsh or biological detergent | Strong formulas can alter the silk fabric | A few drops of a silk-friendly detergent |
| Wringing or squeezing | Twisting stresses the delicate fibres | Press the water out gently between a clean towel |
| Tumble drying or radiators | Excess heat damages the fabric | Air dry flat overnight, away from heat |
| Direct sunlight | Strong sun can dull the colour over time | Dry indoors, out of direct light |
In summary, the key takeaways on how to clean a silk scrunchie:
- Only hand-wash your silk hair ties and silk hair scrunchies.
- Use cool water only (under 30 degrees Celsius).
- If adding a few drops of detergent to the water, make sure to use a silk-friendly detergent so that the silk fabric doesn't get altered.
- Dry your scrunchies without heat and away from direct sunlight.
Yet to make the switch to silk scrunchies?
Our focus is on creating better basics, made from the highest quality silk, to elevate the steps in your routine you are already doing. No extra steps or complications. Just better quality materials.
Every scrunchie in the collection is cared for in exactly the same way, so the wash steps above cover whichever size you choose. The Classic Silk Scrunchie is £10, the extra large Statement Silk Scrunchie is £15, and the Pure Silk Hair Ties are £20. If you are not sure which size suits your hair, our scrunchie size guide walks through each one by hair type.
The 5 minute overnight hair routine
A freshly washed scrunchie does its best work as part of the full overnight routine: four steps, five minutes before bed, all built on the same low-friction logic behind our guide on how to get rid of frizz in hair naturally.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash silk scrunchies?
For scrunchies worn daily or for exercise, every couple of weeks keeps them clean and helps prevent a build up of oil. Scrunchies saved for special occasions can be washed less often, around once a month or every other month.
Can I wash silk scrunchies in the washing machine?
No. The agitation and spin of a machine cycle are too rough for the delicate mulberry silk fabric, even inside a laundry bag. A silk scrunchie should always be hand washed in cool water, which takes under five minutes.
What detergent should I use for silk scrunchies?
A few drops of a gentle, silk-friendly detergent, ideally one that is pH neutral. Avoid biological detergents, bleach and fabric conditioner, as strong formulas can alter the delicate silk fabric.
How long do silk scrunchies take to dry?
Left flat in a spot away from direct sunlight and heat, a silk scrunchie dries overnight. Pressing the rinsed scrunchie gently between a clean, dry towel first removes most of the water and speeds this up, without wringing the fabric.
Do silk scrunchies lose their shine after washing?
They can look slightly flatter or duller once dry, and this is easy to reverse. A few seconds of steam on each side, held at least 5cm away, brings back the shape, bounce and sheen of the silk.
Can silk scrunchies get wet in the shower or pool?
It is best avoided. Water outside of a careful hand wash, along with extreme heat such as a sauna, can alter the shape, size and texture of the silk. Take your scrunchie off your wrist before showering or swimming.
Do I need to iron silk scrunchies?
No. If a scrunchie looks flat after washing, a steamer held at a distance for a few seconds is the gentlest way to revive it. If you do not have a steamer, an iron on a steam setting used the same way, without pressing the plate to the fabric, works too.
We hope this guide helps you keep your silk scrunchies looking their best for years to come. If you have any questions about caring for your silk pieces, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@thesilkcollection.co.uk and we will be happy to help.
