7 Myths about Silk Sheets

There are a lot of myths about Silk Sheets that stop people from making the decision to sleep in silk. We have listed a few of the most common, and dispel them here…

MYTH #1: Silk sheets are slippery. While it is true that silk sheets will have less friction than your common-or-garden cotton sheets, you are unlikely to slip off silk sheets. This myth occurred because silk sheets are often mistaken for impostor satin “silks” that are made from polyester. These polyester satin “silks” can be very slippery, while real silk sheets are truly soft and luxurious.

MYTH #2: Silk sheets are expensive.  It is true that good quality silk is one of the more expensive fabrics on the market; however, the benefits of sleeping on silk sheets make it more of an investment in your long-term health and well-being. When viewed as a long-term investment, silk sheets are actually rather affordable; the benefits will last over many years.

MYTH #3: Silk sheets require dry cleaning. Good quality silk sheets such as ours can be machine washed on a gentle cycle in cool water using a silk-friendly laundry detergent. They do not require dry cleaning. As you continue to wash silk sheets, they will most likely lose some of their lustre, but will actually become softer after a few washes. In fact, many people find that they like their silk sheets even more after they have been washed a few times.

MYTH #4: Silk sheets will shrink when washed. High-quality (such as SilkLiving) silk sheets that are cared for correctly will not shrink significantly when washed. If your sheets fit your bed correctly before washing, they will still fit the same after washing.

MYTH #5: Silk is a delicate fabric and won’t last long. As with any natural fibre, silk does require some care; however, it is a strong fabric for its weight. In fact, its strength-to-weight ratio made it the primary fabric used in parachutes before the invention of nylon. This particular myth is propagated because very lightweight silk is often used in lingerie or woman’s dresses, and this is so light it is easily damaged. A heavier weight quality silk (such as the 19mm used in SilkLiving bedding) will give you many years of use with proper care.

MYTH #6: My skin will catch and ruin the silk.  Here we have another case of mistaken identity. Satin “silk” from polyester (a man-made fabric) is very slippery; yet will still catch slightly rough or callused skin. 100% pure silk sheets will not catch your skin; it is softer in texture and very smooth to the touch.

MYTH #7: All silk sheets are the same. There are a variety of silk sheets on the market. It can sometimes be difficult to compare them, as many manufactures do not provide all the information needed for an informed decision. For starters, the momme weight of the silk sheet can range from 6 – 30mm. This is the primary means by which the quality of the silk is measured (similar to thread count, which is often used with other textiles, like cotton). Ideal weights for silk sheets fall between 16 – 21mm with many believing 19mm provides the best balance of strength, look and affordability, this is the momme of all SilkLiving sheets and duvet covers. If a manufacturer does not tell you the momme weight of their sheets, you should look elsewhere.
In addition to momme weight, there are also different types of silk used in silk sheets. These included Charmeuse Silk, Tussah Silk, and Habotai Silk (often called China Silk). Charmeuse Silk and Habotai silk are produced from the mulberry silk worm breed in captivity. They differ in feel and lustre, with Charmeuse silk having a high lustre and less friction, and Habotai silk having a sandy matte finish. Tussah silk is produced from wild silk worms and is generally considered to be of lower quality. Tussah Silk usually has visual impurities from the fabrics finish and will sometimes have knots in the texture due to broken silk fibres.