May 20, 2024
How to choose your silk pillowcase?
After an exhausting and stressful day, who doesn't dream of slipping into a cozy bed, with soft sheets and pillows, for a restful night's sleep? To enhance this moment of relaxation, there's nothing like adopting silk pillowcases. But how do you make the right choice?
Silk is a material with many benefits. Its softness, luxury and naturally soothing and regenerative fibers make it the ideal ally for quality sleep. However, it is essential to carefully select your pure silk pillowcase. Several criteria come into play to make the best choice, and we guide you through these essential aspects.
THE MOM
To choose the right silk pillowcase , start by looking at an essential indicator of quality: the momme . This traditional unit of measurement , used since the imperial era , allows you to evaluate the weight and therefore the thickness of the silk per square meter. The higher the momme , the denser , softer , more resistant ... and pleasant to the touch the fabric is.
As a guide, 1 momme = 4.3056 g/m² . On the market, silk pillowcases generally vary between 10 and 22 momme : below this, the silk is fine and fragile ; above 19 momme , it gains in hold , softness and durability .
For a quality silk pillowcase that is durable , easy to care for and long-lasting , choose 19 or 22 momme . A 19 momme silk pillowcase should contain at least 500 threads , and can last for several years if you follow the washing and care instructions. 22 momme is the highest index, and corresponds to the best silk in the world , yet it only contains about 750 threads . 19 momme is differentiated from 22 momme by the silk feel when touching them. Compared to 19 momme pillowcases , 22 momme pillowcases appear more lustrous and are even more durable .
A silk pillowcase is considered high-end when it is made from 19 momme mulberry silk , grade 6A . The grade indicates the quality of the silk , on a scale from C (lowest) to A (highest) . The associated number (up to 6A ) specifies even more: 6A corresponds to the best quality available .
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OEKO TEX
Always in the constant search for the best quality , the naturalness and transparency of the fabric are also a criterion to take into account when choosing your silk pillowcase . Oeko-Tex certified silk bed linens are an excellent choice . The Oeko-Tex label is an international quality label that includes several strict technical standards to certify the sanitary and ecological qualities of a fabric. The Oeko-Tex certification is awarded to companies that use no or very few harmful substances in their production.
If you choose your silk pillowcase from an Oeko-Tex certified company , you can rest assured that your product is authentic , high-quality , and durable . This standard is a guarantee that your silk pillowcase is free from products that are harmful to your health and the planet , as the label acts internationally to promote environmental well-being . -
WEAVING (ARMOR)
Also , learn about the different fabric weaves used to weave your pillowcase . The weave is the way of weaving , the way the warp and weft threads intertwine . There are three main weaves : plain , serge , and satin ; fabrics are made based on their combinations .
Satin , for example, is the most well-known and also the most fragile weave, it is used to weave silk . It is a shiny and fine fabric on the front and matte on the back , it is also smooth , soft and fluid , ideal for silk pillowcases . During creation, one of the threads overlaps four or more other threads , which gives it its shine as well as its softness .
Plain weave or taffeta is the oldest and simplest of the weaves: odd and even threads alternate on each stroke, above and below the weft , resulting in a large number of interlacings of warp and weft threads. The fabric has a grainy appearance , with no right or wrong side . Plain and taffeta are structured in the same way , but are not made of the same materials .
THE CLOSURE
After the technical criteria , let's move on to aesthetic criteria such as the closure . Which closure should you choose for your silk pillowcase ? We tend to neglect this detail , but it is very important . What to choose between a zip and a wallet closure ?
A silk pillowcase with a wrap closure is made up of two parts folded over each other to close the case . Your pillow is held securely inside and looks good on the right side , but on the other hand, you can often see part of the pillow exposed . In addition, the wrap closure makes it difficult to put on , which can take a little longer than normal.
THE "PLUS" EMILY'S PILLOW
At Emily's Pillow, every detail counts. To ensure impeccable finishes, we've added subtle piping (a small piece of piping sewn around the entire pillowcase) to all of our designs.
This additional care not only provides better hold over time , but also a more careful and refined finish .
A detail that makes all the difference, both to the eye and to the touch.
Still, when putting it on, the fabric can crack at the two folded parts by forcing to put the pillowcase on a thick cushion for example, which is not very aesthetic. The zip, much more popular in the bed linen market, is also much more practical, quick to put on and aesthetic both on the right side and on the wrong side your silk pillowcase is nickel.
If you have assimilated and taken into account all these criteria, you now know how to choose your silk pillowcase, you will thus be able to easily enjoy all the benefits of silk on your body, your health and your hair.
