What happens if satin gets wet?

What happens when satin gets wet depends entirely on what fiber the satin is made from, because satin is a weave, not a material. If it is silk satin, water can be damaging. Silk is a delicate natural protein fiber and water can leave permanent water spots, cause the color to bleed or fade, shrink slightly, and weaken the fibers if rubbed while wet. It can also lose its luster and become stiff if washed incorrectly. If it is polyester satin, which is most common, water does very little damage. Polyester is hydrophobic, so it does not absorb much water, does not shrink, and dries very quickly. However, water can still temporarily reduce its shine, cause water marks on low-quality satin if hard water minerals dry on it, and make it cling to skin. For both types, hot water and harsh detergents are bad. Polyester satin can handle a gentle machine wash in cold water, while real silk satin should be dry cleaned or hand washed very gently in cold water with a pH-neutral detergent meant for silk. Never wring satin.