How to Wash a Bonnet: Hand and Machine Washing Your Silk and Satin Hair Protectors

As many of you with coily and curly hair know, bonnets are essential to the nighttime hair care routine, ensuring kinks and curls stay intact and in perfect condition. However, regularly and correctly washing your bonnet is equally important.

Bonnets, silk or satin, are a great way to protect your hair at night, especially if your hair falls on the curlier end of the hair spectrum. However, ensuring you regularly wash your bonnet is crucial, as it guarantees its longevity and continued protection of your curls.

Keep reading to learn more about how often you should wash your bonnets, the ways to wash them, and the difference between a satin and silk bonnet.

How Often Should You Wash Your Bonnet?

How often you wash your bonnet depends on how much product you use, as this will determine the degree and rate at which the bonnet gets dirty. However, a good rule of thumb to follow is that if you use your bonnet nightly with a moderate amount of product, wash the bonnet every two weeks. If your hair care routine is product-heavy, you can bump up the frequency to every week.

There are two ways to wash your bonnets: through handwashing or by using the washing machine. Read further to learn more about how to go about both.

How to Wash a Silk Bonnet

Handwash:

To hand-wash your silk bonnet, follow these easy steps:

1. Fill your sink with warm water and add a gentle detergent.
2. Soak your silk bonnet in the warm, soapy water. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
3. Scrub and wash the silk material, ensuring to rinse thoroughly to remove all the soap.
4. To remove excess water, squeeze your bonnet, but do not twist it.
5. Leave your damp bonnet outside to air dry but not under direct sunlight or any heat source.

Machine-Wash:

The process of machine-washing your silk bonnet is fairly simple. Just abide by these guidelines:

1. You don't need to use detergent, but ensure it is pH-neutral if you do.
2. Place the bonnet in an inimates bag to avoid mixing it with other items.
3. Set your washing machine to a gentle setting.
4. Hang your silk bonnet outside to air-dry after washing.

How to Wash a Satin Bonnet

Handwash:

Handwashing your satin bonnet is similar to a silk bonnet. Here are the steps:

1. Fill your sink with warm water and soap or mild detergent.
2. Submerge your bonnet in the water, thoroughly washing it.
3. Once clean, rinse and squeeze any excess water from the bonnet.
4. Leave the satin material to air dry.

Machine-Wash:

To machine-wash your satin bonnet, take note of these:

1. Turn the satin material inside out, before washing. You may wash the bonnet with other like-colored items.
2. Use a delicate detergent.
3. Set the washing machine to a gentle cycle with cool water.
4. Air dry with little heat after washing.

What Is the Difference between Silk and Satin Bonnets?

According to hair experts, there isn't a big difference between silk bonnets and satin bonnets. When choosing between the two, all you have to do is take into consideration your budget and style preference.

According to hairstylist and educator Dionne Smith, "They both maintain the natural levels of hair oil and allow less friction between your hair and other surfaces, so which material you choose is completely up to you."

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