Is sleeping in a silk sheet as comfortable as it looks?

Megan Dominion

You know those movie scenes where a beautiful woman wakes up in the most luxurious looking silk bedding, looking as fresh as a daisy and 20 years younger than her character is supposed to be? We won’t go into faulty casting decisions in the movie industry, but talk about whether silk sheets really do feel as luxurious as they look!

Those silk bedding scenes have definitely made me feel quite jealous, especially when someone adds in a steaming cup of coffee into that scene … that silk bedding looks amazing and probably feels amazing too. Silk sheets are smooth to the touch and honestly, who wouldn’t want that feeling all over their bodies!

You, like me, probably dream of having such a sensual night of sleep in such sheets and bedding, but is it as comfortable as it looks? Let’s see the benefits of sleeping in silk sheets and how good it really feels.

What is silk?

Silk is a natural protein fiber produced by silkworms. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoons. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture). The shimmering appearance of silk is due to the triangular prism-like structure of the silk fibre, which allows silk garments and sheets to refract incoming light at different angles, unlike cotton and other natural fibres that produce a single colour for each different wavelength of visible light they reflect.

What are the benefits of sleeping on silk sheets?

Not only do they look and feel luxurious, but silk sheets offer a number of advantages over other types of bedding.

1. Silk is a natural temperature regulator.

This means that even though silk is quite cool to the touch, it will in fact keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Additionally, silk is a natural insulator, trapping small amounts of air between the fibres to keep you warm when it’s cold outside and venting excess heat when you’re overheated. This is one of the most important properties offed by silk because as we sleep, the body loses its ability to regulate temperature, heating, and cooling.

2. Silk is hypoallergenic and breathable.

For all of us, having a good night’s sleep is essential to our health and well-being. And for those of us who suffer from allergies, it’s often more difficult to achieve this. Silk doesn’t harbor dust mites, mold, or mildew, making it an ideal fabric for allergy sufferers. It can also be really beneficial in helping to minimize acne flare ups due to bacteria build up on your bedding. Additionally, the smooth surface of silk prevents your skin from drying out and allows your hair to slide freely, reducing the risk of tangles and breakage.

3. Silk is gentle on your skin.

The smooth surface of silk prevents your skin from drying out and allows your hair to slide freely. As a result, you’ll wake up with fewer wrinkles and smoother-looking skin. On the other hand, cotton can irritate the skin and contribute to the appearance of acne, rosacea, or any other skin condition driven by inflammation. Read more about the Benefits of a silk pillowcase for your skin.

 

White silk bedding

4. Silk is sustainable.

When it comes to bedding, cotton is the most popular fabric. However, the farming and processing of cotton is highly resource-intensive, and the fabric itself is not very durable. On the other hand, silk is said to be a more sustainable fabric that is both durable and biodegradable. There are many factors involved, so it’s worth doing your own research on the company you wish to purchase silk bedding from.

5. Silk helps to prevent tangles, frizz, and bedhead.

Sleeping on silk pillowcases allows your hair to glide across the surface without friction. The result is fewer tangles, frizzes, and breaks in your hair when you wake up. Curly, fine, color-treated, and newly regrown hair can benefit from silk’s gentleness and can be a great fix to waking up with ‘bedhead’.

All these properties make silk an excellent fabric choice for bedding. Silk pillowcases, sheets, and duvets can help you to get a good night’s rest as well as feeling and looking luxurious.

So, is it comfortable to sleep on silk sheets?

Absolutely! Sleeping in silk sheets is one of the most comfortable things you can do. The fabric is smooth and gentle on your skin, and the temperature-regulator properties mean should always be comfortable in both warm and cool weather.

How to choose quality silk?

No matter what bedding set you to choose, it’s important to make sure it’s made of quality silk. Look for a set that is 100% pure mulberry silk, with a minimum silk count of 19 momme. It would be best if you also looked for a set that is hand-dyed with natural dyes and has a seamless construction (i.e., it is made from a single piece of fabric, rather than being pieced together).

A quality silk bedding set will last you for years, so it’s worth investing in a set you’ll love.

White silks sheet with white flower

Why Choose Mulberry Silk for sleeping in?

Silk is often called the “queen of fabrics.” It has been used for centuries to make clothing and other items for royalty and the wealthy. Silk is made from the fibers of the silkworm’s cocoon and the best silk comes from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm.

Mulberry silk is the highest quality silk available. The silkworm feeds on mulberry leaves, and the cocoons are spun from the silk fibers they produce. The cocoons are then boiled, and the silk fibers are unwound to make silk thread.

How to take care of your silk sheets?

Here are some tips on how to take care of your silk sheets:

  • Use a mild detergent when washing your sheets.
  • Hang your sheets to dry, or dry them on a low heat setting.
  • Iron your sheets on a low heat setting.
  • Store your sheets in a cool, dry place.

Read more here How to Care of Your Silk Products

The Disadvantages of Silk Sheets

As you can tell we are big fans of silk sheets and bedding, with the many benefits it provides. Here are a few drawbacks to consider before purchasing silk sheets:

  • Silk bedding can be pricey. Due to the quality of the silk fabric, silk bedding can be more costly than its popular alternative, cotton. Especially if you are opting for 100% pure mulberry silk.
  • Silk bedding can fade in the sun. Therefore, it’s important to store it in a cool dark cupboard when not in use, and dry your silk bedding in the shade and not direct sunlight.
  • Silk requires special care. It’s not difficult to adjust your bedding care for silk’s requirements, but it’s important to do so. Using mesh laundry bags give your silk sheets extra protection in your washing machine and there are gentle detergents especially designed to be gentle on your silk sheets.
  • Silk is very delicate. Good quality silk should last as long as its cotton counterparts, but if you buy a lower quality silk it may be at risk of snagging or tearing.

Bottom line

Silk is the most luxurious fabric you can choose for your bedding. It’s gentle on your skin, hypoallergenic, and temperature-regulating, so you’ll always be comfortable. Silk is also sustainable and durable, so you can enjoy silk bedding for years.

When choosing silk bedding, look for a 100% pure mulberry silk set, with a minimum silk count of 19 momme.

And don’t forget to sleep like a queen in silk sheets!

Megan Dominion

Megan Dominion is SILKUP's Managing Editor. She's been down both the curly hair and skincare rabbit holes many times and loves that there's always something new to learn; a new science, method, product or personal experience.