Silk is too delicate Poor quality, cheap silk, is flimsy. And while you should take care to protect your silk from snags and tears (for example, by using a mesh laundry bag when washing as we recommend above), good high quality silk sheets and silk pillowcases should last as long as their cotton counterparts.
Are silk pillowcases worth it? Yes! Not only do they feel great to sleep on, silk pillowcase benefits also include smoother hair and smoother skin.
Silk will typically last longer because it's higher quality. If you with satin because it better aligns with your budget, it's still a huge upgrade from a cotton pillowcase. And if you're really concerned about the slight loss of moisture, Onuoha suggests giving your curls a quick oil treatment.
Less Hair Damage and Frizz
The benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase are most pronounced for hair, experts say, because the smooth surface reduces friction and thus breakage.
Hair and skin help – When choosing between a satin vs silk pillowcase for skin and hair, you win either way, as satin also has the benefit of low friction. It also shares silk's breathability and hypoallergenic nature.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
"Silk doesn't absorb or pull moisture from your skin the way traditional cotton pillowcases do, leaving hair hydrated and frizz-free." Plus, according to Richy Kandasamy, a hair colorist and a member of R+Co Collective, resting your head on this fabric will keep textured hair fresher and less "slept on" upon waking.
Silk is your hair's best friend. "Silk pillowcases are an absolute game-changer as they don't pull and absorb moisture from your hair and your face," says Reslan. "Unlike regular pillowcases, the smooth silk fibers don't cause damage to your hair by creating friction and roughening up your hair's cuticles.
The highest-quality silk is mulberry silk, which is made from silkworms who eat from the leaves of the mulberry tree. It's the most durable silk and also the softest, which makes it ideal for a high-traffic item like a pillowcase.
Satin is actually a synthetic material and not a natural fiber like pure mulberry silk. Satin will also have a glossy and non-glossy side just like silk and can often be called charmeuse, but don't confuse satin charmeuse with natural silk charmeuse as it is not the same.
Satin – a vegan-friendly alternative to silk – is naturally cool against your skin, and will not absorb your hair and skin's natural moisture like a standard cotton pillowcase. Using a satin pillowcase promotes healthy hair by allowing it to retain your hair's natural oils, reducing dryness, breakage and tangles.
Silk Pillowcases minimize sleep wrinkles
The same goes for your face. The fibers in a cotton pillowcase can pull and tug at delicate facial skin, In contrast, silk is smooth friction free, which minimizes the incidence of fine lines and sleep wrinkles. Talk about great beauty sleep!
No matter the season, the moisture-repelling properties and natural, breathable fibers in a mulberry silk pillowcase will help you avoid sleeping hot and remain cool and dry—both factors that contribute to regulating your body temperature during sleep.
Yes you can. However, whether your pillowcase is silk or cotton, going to bed with wet hair can attract bacteria. If your silk pillowcase absorbs some of your hair product, you can wash this out as easily as a cotton pillow case in most cases, but keeping in mind that silk is more delicate than cotton.
Silk reacts to alkaline detergents. These can cause the silk to become rough and even cause the fabric to break down. So, when washing silk, even by hand, ensure that you use a mild detergent. Some people even make their own detergents just for silk.
Tips for Washing Silk Pillowcases
Do not use fabric softeners, as these products leave a residue on the fibers and can actually make the fabric less "silky." When drying wet pillowcases by hand, never wring them. Instead, press them against a dry towel to remove excess moisture.
Wash your silk items by themselves in cold water. Use only a gentle laundry soap formulated for silk. Submerge items and gently agitate with your hand; don't rub or scrub. Thoroughly rinse out all soap.
Despite what you've heard, you can wash silk in a washing machine. However, it's worth investing in a mesh bag to protect your delicate items from tangling or getting caught on other items during the wash.
Woolite Delicates Hypoallergenic Liquid Laundry Detergent is the best detergent for silk! Not only does this formula protect fabric fibers from damage due to over-washing, but it also contains no harsh ingredients that could cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Whitehurst recommends using a mild shampoo, like Ivory, or gentle detergent, like Woolite. Place the garment in the water, give it a stir, and let it sit for just a few minutes. "Silk releases dirt quickly, so the process doesn't take long," he says. Next, drain the soapy mix and rinse with cool, running water.
How to Machine-Wash Silk Pillowcases and Sheets: Place in the washer with other silk items in similar colors. Turn silk pillowcases inside-out and place them in a mesh bag to prevent pulls in the fabric. Run the machine on a delicate cycle, with cold water, and use mild detergent according to package instructions.
Silk should always be laundered separately in a SILK-ONLY LOAD. Turn your silk pillowcases inside out and, if machine washing, place all silk items in fine mesh laundry bagsto protect the delicate fabric from damage.