What to Look for When Buying a Silk Pillowcase

Reading time: 4 mins

Being incredibly soft and smooth, and offering a myriad of skin and hair benefits, it’s little wonder that the popularity of silk pillowcases is on the rise.  After being spotted in use by celebs such as Kim Kardashian, Cindy Crawford and Gisele Bündchen, these luxe pillowcases have taken the beauty world by storm, and are now a bedtime must-have for many women.  But what should you consider before you snatch one up?  Here’s a list of some things you need to consider and a few questions you need to ask yourself before investing in these silky wonders.

1. Sometimes More is More

Unlike most other fabrics, the quality of silk is not determined by thread count, but rather by a metric called momme (pronounced 'moe-mee'). Momme measures silk density and weight, and the greater the momme, the higher the quality of the silk and the longer its lifespan. Most silk pillowcases on the market range between 19 - 22 momme, but those that are made from 25 momme silk, are superior in quality and durability. Beware of any silk pillowcases where the momme isn’t even specified…there’s a reason why it’s not stated, so stay clear away from these!

2. Perfectly Pure

For ultimate indulgence and to ensure that you’ll enjoy all the amazing benefits attached with the natural properties of silk, only buy pillowcases made from 100% pure Mulberry silk. Some so-called silk products on the market upon closer inspection are actually made from a silk-blend. This means that Mulberry silk has been combined with another material, such as cotton, eucalyptus or bamboo (or even worse, a synthetic material like satin), to create a fabric which is soft to the touch but does not have the properties that make silk so desirable to begin with, such as being naturally hydrating, temperature regulating and antimicrobial. It’s also difficult to know how much silk is even present in a silk blend, and it may be at such low proportions that it doesn’t contain any of the benefits of silk at all.

3. Double Up

When comparing various silk pillowcases, make sure you’re comparing apples with apples, and that you’re looking at pillowcases which are made from silk on both sides. Some cheaper options will only be silk on top, and cotton or some other fabric at the bottom, so you actually get a lot less silk. A double sided silk pillowcase means you can turn it over to extend its use in between washes, which amounts to much less wear on the silk fibres.

4. Zipper Dee Doo Dah

Who would have thought that the humble zipper could be such a game changer? The addition of an invisible zip to a silk pillowcase means that your pillow actually stays put throughout the night, no matter how much you toss and turn in your sleep. When given the option between a zippered silk pillowcase and an envelope style one, I’d always opt for the zippered one that securely holds my pillow in place.

5. Colour Me Bad

Yes, we can all get carried away sometimes by pretty colours, and choose things based on aesthetics rather than practicality, but think for a moment about what colour pillowcase is best for you. If you shower at night, and climb into bed squeaky clean, then you can take your pick of shades, even those unforgiving whites and ivorys. If on the other hand, you only wash your hair every few days, use a lot of hair product, or drool like a Saint Bernard in your sleep, you’ll probably want to opt for a darker and more concealing hue.

6. Raise Your Standards

To ensure your silk pillowcase doesn’t contain any dangerous substances or toxins, make sure it has been independently tested under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, certified to be non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals and dyes. The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a worldwide, independent testing and certification system for textile products, and covers 4 Product Classes, with Product Class 1 being the highest class with the most stringent criteria.

7. The Price is Right

While it’s true that a higher price tag does not necessarily equal a superior product, you should only shop around for a cheaper alternative if it does not compromise on quality. Pure, high momme silk is an opulent, natural and expensive material, so if you find a silk pillowcase at a price too good to be true, there’s likely a reason why. Remember to check that it’s not an inferior silk blend, or only silk on one side, and also look out for these quality markers:

• Mulberry silk: ensure your silk pillowcase is made from Mulberry silk rather than Eri, Muga or other types of silk. Mulberry silk is the finest and most lustrous, and comes from fibres spun by the Bombyx Mori silkworm, a species of worm who exclusively eats leaves from the Mulberry tree.
• Charmeuse weave: a luxurious weave, the charmeuse weave is ultra-smooth and ensures your silk pillowcase is friction-free. With this weaving style, the top warp threads cross over the backing weft threads, creating a liquid-smooth, shiny surface and a matte, crepe-like underside
• Grade 6A: the grade of silk refers to the length of the silk fibres, with longer lengths resulting in a smoother, more lustrous finish. Look out for a pillowcase made from grade 6A Mulberry silk, being the highest grade of silk available in the world

Now that you’ve considered all these factors, here comes the fun part – shopping! Sleeping on silk is an indulgence that not only makes you feel like royalty, but also delivers a long list of health and beauty benefits. Once you sleep on premium silk, we guarantee that you’ll never go back to cotton!

Sleep Well with Sleepy Silk

Ready for your most luxurious sleep ever? Designed specifically with amazing sleep in mind, Sleepy Silk pillowcases are all made from superior grade 6A and 25 momme 100% Mulberry silk and have been tested and certified under OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 under Product Class 1. Shop our range of sumptuous silk pillowcases now, and say hello to better skin, hair and sleep!