silk pillowcase facts and questions

If you’re considering a silk pillowcase, then naturally you’ll want to know exactly what you’d be getting for the price you’ll pay. Now we’ve been selling the finest pure silk pillowcases for some years, and we've noticed that certain customer questions crop up again and again.

If you have a burning question about silk pillowcases that you’d love to know the answer to, keep reading. Here is the full lowdown on just what you get for your money when you invest in the best silk pillowcase.

11 top silk pillowcase FAQs

What are the pros and cons of silk pillowcases?

Here are some quick-fire pros and cons of sleeping on a silk pillowcase.

Pros:

  • Silk pillowcases help you stay cool
  • A silk pillowcase allows your skin to retain natural and added moisture
  • Silk pillowcases result in smoother, stronger hair with less breakage, frizz and tangles
  • Sleeping on sleek silk results in less pillow creases and wrinkles
  • Mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic, clean and skin-kind
  • Silk can be machine washed at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle
  • Silk can be air-dried flat and away from direct light
  • Top quality silk uses grade A long strands and is much stronger than you might expect

Cons:

  • Silk is more expensive than cotton or satin
  • Silk isn't suitable for vegans
charcoal silk close upshu

Is it worth getting a silk pillowcase?

It’s so worth getting a silk pillowcase! Sleeping on silk has so many benefits, and it’s great for the condition and appearance of your hair and skin. Silk is so much sleeker than other fabrics, including those made from natural materials like cotton.

This results in fewer fine lines, wrinkles and pillow creases. You’ll also experience less hair breakage and frizz and soothed, more moisturised skin. A silk pillowcase also feels luxurious, is naturally antibacterial and can even help to regulate your temperature as you slumber.

Are silk pillowcases better than cotton?

When it comes to a pillowcase, silk is not only better than cotton: it also beats any other fabric. The surface of cotton isn’t as sleek as silk, and can thus cause friction when you move during the night. This can result in wrinkles forming while you sleep, whereas sleeping on silk prevents this.  

Silk has a similar effect on hair, resulting in fewer stressed or broken strands and less flyaways and frizz. Less product is also absorbed by silk, leaving those expensive night creams or serums in place for maximum effect.

does sleeping on silk help skin

Do silk pillowcases really help your skin?

Skin experts agree that silk really can soothe inflamed or irritated skin. The reason for this is the incredible smoothness of pure silk. As flakes of skin, spots and other signs of irritation don’t catch on the surface of silk so easily, you can wake up with calmer, more moisturised skin.

There’s more. Any products you use overnight to soothe your skin aren’t absorbed by silk in the way that they are with cotton or other fabrics, leaving them in place for the full effect. Many of those with conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis and sensitive skin love sleeping on silk and would never go back.

Do silk pillowcases make hair greasy?

Though silk can help to retain natural and added moisture in hair and skin, it’s actually good for controlling greasy hair. As less moisture is lost, the glands aren’t stimulated into over-production, which is actually a common cause of greasy hair (and skin).

Are silk pillowcases antibacterial?

Silk is indeed an antibacterial material. This means a silk pillowcase stays cleaner than one made from other fabrics - and you can get away with washing it less often if you want to. Silk fabric is also densely woven, so this means that nasties like bed mites cannot penetrate its surface. Another benefit of sleeping on silk is that it is good for helping acne. The silk does not hold any dirt like cotton so nothing gets rubbed in to the skin.

how often to wash silk pillowcases

How often should you wash silk pillowcases?

You can wash your silk pillowcase weekly, just like your other bedding. Though if you flip it every day, you could easily get away with once a fortnight. This is because silk is naturally antibacterial, and it doesn’t absorb skin products in the way that cotton does.

How do you wash silk pillowcases?

You can machine wash silk pillowcases. Make sure you use a gentle cycle and detergent, and water that’s no hotter than 30 degrees celsius. Air-drying your silk pillowcase flat and away from sunlight is ideal.  

If in any doubt, check with the manufacturer or retailer. Silk that isn’t of the best quality may need to be hand washed. Use a special silk detergent in this case, and never scrub or wring out the silk. Make sure you rinse thoroughly too.

how to make a silk pillowcase soft again

How do I make my silk pillowcase soft again?

If your silk pillowcase isn’t as soft as it once was, there may be excess soap trapped between the fibres. You can give it a good rinse with diluted white vinegar to get around this problem. Use six litres of lukewarm water with 100ml white vinegar, and swirl it around in the sink or bowl.

Next, rinse thoroughly as many times as you need to, until all the vinegar odour has gone. Dry flat and away from direct sunlight.

Where can I buy silk pillowcases?

You can buy a silk pillowcase from us here at Silk Pillowcase in the UK! We offer a great range of colours and prints, free delivery from the UK and the best prices you’ll find for the finest quality silk in the world.

Michelle Fletcher Smith