The Best Silk Pillowcases

The Best Silk Pillowcases

After a long day of mom duty, it is so relaxing to climb into bed and rest your head on a silk pillowcase. And they're not just comfortable to sleep on. Silk pillowcases have tremendous benefits for your hair and skin. Since they have a really smooth surface, they are less likely to snag your hair if you toss and turn at night. You can wake up in the morning without experiencing the bedhead that is common from cotton pillowcases. Sleeping on silk is also great for your skin. The fabric is less likely to draw out moisture, so it's a great choice for anyone who suffers from dry skin. If you're ready to ditch the cotton linens and switch to silk pillowcases, here are five of the best ones you can buy.

ALASKA BEAR Natural Silk Pillowcase

Chemical-Free with Natural Dye

A natural silk pillowcase in lots of different colors.
Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a high-quality natural silk pillowcase, this is a winner. It’s made of 100% organic 19-momme mulberry silk. With a 600 thread count, the texture and breathability on this one is amazing. Available in many different colors (including purple, burgundy, and mint green), each shade is achieved through natural dyes. There are also options with patterns or messages that can help you create the bedroom space you’ve been dreaming of.

Aesthetics aside, these chemical-free and hypoallergenic pillowcases are handmade. Hand-washing is recommended to help keep the silk smooth.

Pros

  • Hidden zipper to keep the pillowcase in place
  • Many colors and patterns available

Cons

  • The pillows with sayings are only available in queen size

ZIMASILK 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Color Me Impressed

With a wide range of colors and patterns available, this one is not only comfortable, but versatile as a decor piece, too.
Most Comfortable

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Crafted from OEKO-certified material, this pillowcase is made with 19-momme, 100% mulberry silk. You can get this pillowcase in a variety of sizes, ranging from a small toddler-sized pillow (14″ x 20″) to a large body-sized one (20″ x 54″). You can also select many different colors and patterns, making the silk pillowcases a beautiful addition to your bedroom’s decor. A friendly note: if you use a machine to wash this pillowcase, make sure you place it in a mesh bag and put the washer on the gentle cycle. Afterwards, air-dry it instead of tossing it in the dryer.

Pros

  • Beautiful colors
  • Hidden zipper
  • OEKO-TEX certified 100% natural silk

Cons

  • You can pull the zipper too far if you aren’t careful

J JIMOO 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Feather-Soft

You (or your giftee) are sure to be well-rested after a night on this luxurious pillowcase.
Best for Gifting

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Made from a slightly thicker 22-momme mulberry silk, this pillowcase is ultra-soft. It’s available in several different shades, too, including black and light pink. On top of that, it’s SGS-certified for being 100% silk, so you don’t have to worry about getting a fake. It comes packaged in a nice gift box wrapping, giving it a lovely presentation that takes the work out of preparing a gift for a loved one, so if you’re looking for a silk pillowcase to give as a gift, this is a great choice. This natural silk pillowcase can help keep you cool at night. This can lead to a deeper sleep. Once you slip this nice pillowcase on your pillow, use the hidden zipper to secure it.

Pros

  • Thicker, 22-momme silk
  • Great housewarming gift
  • Arrives in a gift box
  • Several color options

Cons

  • The standard size is a little snug on some pillows of that size

Celestial Silk 100% Silk Pillowcase

High Quality Material

Made from high-quality 25-momme silk, this pillowcase is definitely luxurious.
Most Luxurious

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Are you on the quest for a luxurious silk pillowcase? If you are, you should check out this one. It’s made from a high-quality 25-momme mulberry silk and crafted with a charmeuse weave. There are no chemicals, and it’s been OEKO-TEX 100 certified. This comfortable pillowcase can help you get better sleep. Available in three different sizes, you can purchase a silk pillowcase for standard, queen, and king pillows. No matter the size, the side zipper ensures the pillowcase stays on the pillow instead of sliding off. There are two dozen different colors available, including two marble patterns. This pillowcase comes wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a gift box, so it’s another great option for a gift.

Pros

  • Thick 25-momme silk
  • Machine washable (on delicate)
  • No chemicals

Cons

  • Higher priced than lower-momme silk

Jocoku 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcases Set of 2

Set of 2 Silk Pillowcases

Sold as a two-piece set, this budget-friendly pair helps you fall asleep a little less worried about your bank account's balance.
Best Value

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If you’ve experienced some sticker shock about the cost of the single silk pillowcases mentioned above, this 2-piece set might be a better fit for your wallet. Aside from being budget-friendly, there’s a wide array of customizability available, too. Case in point: you can select toddler-, throw-, standard-, queen-, or king-sized options, as well as being able to choose from seven different colors. And don’t worry, it’s still 100% mulberry silk on both sides so that you get the lovely benefits of sleeping on this special fabric.

Pros

  • A pair of 2 pillowcases for a great price
  • Budget-friendly
  • Hidden zipper

Cons

  • Nighttime sweaters might want to look towards other options, as sweat may stain these

Frequently Asked Questions

What is momme?

When you’re buying silk pillowcases, you’ll notice that most of them mention a number, followed by the word “momme”. This is a Japanese form of measurement used to measure the weight of silk. It refers to the weight of a piece of silk that’s 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. The higher the momme, the thicker the silk. Typically pillowcases will be in the 19-25-momme range. Often, the higher the momme, the more expensive the product. Since momme is used to determine the quality of silk, you don’t want to purchase a silk product that does not list this measurement.

How do you clean silk pillowcases?

Please don’t make the mistake of wadding up your silk pillowcases with the rest of your bedding and tossing it into the washer on high. Do that and you’ll ruin your luxurious pillowcases. Silk is a very delicate fabric, but it still needs washed at the same frequency as the rest of your bedding, so learning how to care for it is essential. When it’s time to clean those pillowcases, pull them off slowly and put them in a separate pile from the rest of your laundry. From there, you have a few options for cleaning them: you can dry-clean them, though this may be more pricy than you’re willing to agree to ; you can use a gentle detergent to hand wash them; or, if your silk pillowcase is more than 20-momme thick, you may be able to clean it in the washer on a delicate cycle. To ensure it doesn’t get destroyed, keep the water temperature cool and place it in a mesh bag. No matter how you clean the pillowcase, do not throw it in the dryer. Instead, hang it up to dry.

Why is it called mulberry silk?

Mulberry silk is one of the most exquisite silks available. This luxurious fabric originated in China, and to understand the name, a bit of manufacturing knowledge is required. Silk is made by extracting fibers from the cocoon of the silk moth caterpillar. Typically these caterpillars are grown in captivity for the sole purpose of making silk. Their sole food source is the mulberry leaf.  This diet produces long individual fibers that are durable. It also results in a pure white cocoon, which is easier to dye.