Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is a great investment in your hair, skin, and overall wellness (see 'Benefits of a Silk Pillowcase' below). Shopping for a silk pillowcase at a large online retailer like Amazon can be confusing, with so many choices that it can feel overwhelming. But knowing what to look for in a silk pillowcase is not as obvious as it may seem. Without a basic understanding of what real silk is versus synthetic satin, it is easy to end up buying, at best, a silk blend and, at worst, a petroleum-based counterfeit. Two pillowcases at the same price point can differ vastly in quality. Similarly, two silk pillowcases may look the same, but one may cost twice as much as the other; why the discrepancy?
10 Things to Consider When Buying a Silk Pillowcase
Many variables go into making a silk pillowcase, including weight, weave, and fabric density, as well as the grade or quality of the silk. Understanding what a manufacturer says in their product description (and perhaps more importantly, what they don't say) about their pillowcase is essential. Many brands make it difficult to select a high-quality, authentic silk pillowcase. As the leading online retailer of silk sheets, silk pillowcases, and real silk accessories, Mulberry Park Silks wants to make this process simple and transparent. We offer a variety of silk pillowcase options to suit any style and budget, and we make it easy to understand exactly what you'll receive. Our design consultants are available to offer suggestions, answer questions, and provide recommendations as needed, and they'll happily send swatch samples of all our momme options and colors. The silk experts at Mulberry Park Silks put together this helpful checklist of ten things to consider when buying a silk pillowcase. With this knowledge, you can shop smarter and get the best value and quality for your money.
The silk experts at Mulberry Park Silks have put together this helpful checklist of ten things to think about when buying a silk pillowcase. This helpful list consists of things to consider and questions to ask when reading a silk product listing or description of a silk pillowcase. Armed with this new knowledge, you can shop smarter for your silk pillowcase and get the best value and quality for your money.
1. Buy Only a Pure, Genuine Silk Pillowcase
Purchase only real silk pillowcases labeled 100% pure mulberry silk. When you search " mulberry silk pillowcase " on Amazon, your search will include both silk and satin pillowcases. Because satin is a weaving method that produces a silky surface instead of a material type, satin pillowcases can be made from a range of fabrics, including synthetic materials like petroleum-based polyester. Those new to silk may not know this distinction and can easily end up buying a "silky dupe" instead of real silk. When shopping on Amazon for your silk pillowcase, scroll down the page and, on the left side under 'Bedding Sheet Material,' make sure that you check the 'Silk' box. Once checked, you will filter out non-silk pillowcases (like satin polyester pillowcases) and see only real silk. A good rule of thumb: if the pillowcase is priced under $20, it is not 100% silk, but either a blend that includes another material or very low-quality silk. Because it takes much more labor to cultivate than artificial fabrics like polyester-based satin, it is rarer and therefore more expensive. All authentic silk pillowcases will prominently display a 100% Silk label. If it's not labeled as such, it's not real silk. All Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases are clearly labeled 100%Pure Mulberry Silk.
Are Silk Pillowcases on Amazon authentic?
Some silk pillowcases sold on Amazon are genuine, but the marketplace also contains polyester satin and blended products presented with silk-related language. Do not rely on the words ‘silky,’ ‘satin,’ or ‘mulberry-style.’ Check the fiber-content field, product label, momme weight, seller details, and return policy before purchasing. Read this to learn how to tell real silk from fake .
The Real Silk Shopping Guide
How to Check an Amazon Silk Pillowcase Listing
Not every pillowcase described as “silky” is made from real silk. Use these eight checks to look beyond the product title before you buy.
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Read the fiber content. Look for “100% silk” in the material or fiber-content details, not just the title.
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Check silk type and weight. Does the listing identify mulberry silk and disclose a momme weight?
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Decode “satin.” Satin is a weave, not a fiber. Check whether the material is silk or polyester.
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Research the seller. Review seller history and look for a real brand website and customer-service channel.
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Compare every detail. The title, bullets, description and photos should tell a consistent story.
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Understand OEKO-TEX®. STANDARD 100 addresses harmful-substance testing; it does not prove silk fiber authenticity.
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Question unusually low prices. A dramatically cheap “pure silk” pillowcase deserves closer scrutiny.
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Know the return terms. Check the policy before trying any after-purchase authenticity test that could affect eligibility.
At a Glance: Signs to Trust vs. Signs to Question
Positive signs
More Trustworthy Listing
- Clearly states 100% silk in the fiber content
- Identifies the silk type (such as mulberry silk)
- Discloses a momme weight
- Explains construction and closure style
- Provides silk-specific care instructions
- Names an identifiable seller or manufacturer
- Has a clear, accessible return policy
Warning signs
Questionable Listing
- Uses “silky” or “satin” without identifying the fiber
- Buried material details or conflicting claims and images
- Exaggerated beauty or medical promises
- No momme weight or meaningful silk-quality details
- A price that seems implausibly low for genuine silk
- No meaningful information about the seller
Good to know: These are credibility clues, not a guarantee of authenticity. A genuine-looking listing should still accurately disclose its fiber content. An OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 claim can be checked separately for textile safety.
2. The Type of Silk in Your Silk Pillowcase
Look for a silk pillowcase made from 100% pure mulberry silk. Mulberry silk comes from the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds exclusively on mulberry leaves. China grows and weaves the world's finest silk, and it has been making silk for more than 4,000 years.
Fun Fact: Silk’s Legendary Discovery
According to Chinese legend, silk was discovered by accident around 2696 BC by Leizu, the wife of the Yellow Emperor. She was enjoying tea in the imperial gardens when a silkworm cocoon fell into her cup and began to unravel. Leizu noticed that the cocoon was made from a single long thread that was both strong and soft.
A legendary figure in Chinese history, Leizu is traditionally credited with the discovery of silk and the invention of the silk loom.
Mulberry silk threads are the best on Earth; they are smoother, stronger, and more uniformly colored than any other variety of silk. A single silk fiber is stronger than a steel fiber of the same diameter. At the same time, silk charmeuse (the most popular weave) feels smooth and luxurious to the touch. Silk reduces friction, helping prevent hair tangles and frizz. Silk's non-absorbent surface helps prevent sleep wrinkles by allowing skin and hair to retain moisture. Our silk pillowcases are made of pure mulberry silk in a charmeuse weave. The charmeuse silk weave creates the high-shine look and feel that most silk pillowcase lovers revere.
3. Make Sure You're Buying High-Quality and High-Grade Silk
Silk quality is graded A, B, or C, with Grade A being the best. Grade A silk is the highest quality long-strand silk from cocoons that are pearly white in color. It is very pure and can be unraveled to great lengths without breaking. Silk grades are also further differentiated by number; Grade A silk comes in A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A, with 6A being the highest and finest quality silk. For any given type of silk, Grade 6A is the finest quality available in the marketplace. This means that a silk pillowcase made from Grade 6A silk will cost more because of the better quality silk used than a pillowcase made from Grade 5A silk.
If a silk pillowcase product description doesn't list silk quality by letter and number, you should assume it is made with lower-quality silk. At Mulberry Park Silks we only use Grade 6A 100 percent pure mulberry silk for our silk sheets , silk pillowcases, and silk hair scrunchies.
Recently, there has been discussion about " Grade 7A silk ". Is there a new, higher silk grade rating? Or is this just a new marketing ploy? As always, we are here to inform you before purchasing silk bedding. We aim to empower you to make well-informed decisions before investing in a luxury silk pillowcase. Ultimately, we debunk so-called "Grade 7A silk" and explain that it is just a deceptive marketing ploy. Click here to read more about 7A Grade Silk
4. Silk Weight Preference in Your Silk Pillowcase
If you're shopping on a budget, 19 momme is an excellent place to start. If longer-lasting quality and a more luxurious feel are priorities, 22 momme is the sweet spot for most sleepers. If you prefer a substantial drape and a weighty, luxurious feel, a 30 momme silk pillowcase is right for you. All three momme weights are made from Grade 6A mulberry silk, come in multiple sizes and colors, and are machine washable.
Mulberry Park Silks
Silk Pillowcase Comparison Chart
Swipe across the chart to compare all three silk weights.
$ symbols indicate relative cost, not exact prices.
5. Verify the Silk is Environmentally Friendly Silk
Look for silk pillowcases tested and certified by an independent agency or organization to ensure they're free of harmful chemicals. All Mulberry Park Silks products are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 * certified and have been tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants. If you don't see OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 clearly labeled, the product is not certified to be safe from dangerous substances. All Mulberry Park Silks products are labeled OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
The Benefits of Sleeping on a Silk Pillowcase
Once a well-kept secret of beauty insiders, sleeping on silk has gone mainstream. Along with regulating body temperature and reducing exposure to allergens, a mulberry silk pillowcase delivers a true night of beauty sleep and supplements your hair and skin care routine:
- Silk pillowcases are great for hair and sensitive skin. Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and protects skin from irritation.
- Mulberry silk fibers are coated with fibroin, a protein that is believed to be antimicrobial.
- Silk contains amino acids that work to condition hair and skin.
- Silk prevents bed head, hair frizz, and breakage (especially on curly hair).
- Silk helps skin and hair retain essential moisture, unlike cotton pillowcases, which can dry hair and skin.
- Silk reduces friction on the skin, which minimizes sleep wrinkles.
- Silk bedding regulates body temperature (great for hot sleepers), which can improve sleep quality.
- Silk products can be certified to be free of harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants.
6. Design Details and Quality Manufacturing Matter When Buying a Silk Pillowcase
Small but still essential details matter for the look and feel of your silk pillowcase. A hidden zipper, for example, is out of sight, but some people find it uncomfortable to sleep on; zippers can also catch, snag, and break. It comes down to personal preference. We recommend silk pillowcases with fabric closures, such as the signature "envelope closure" used on all Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases. Similarly, we suggest choosing a real silk pillowcase with French seams; the fabric is folded over and sewn for a finished look without "raw edges." Check details such as the closure (zipper, envelope) and stitching, which reflect personal preference. All Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases feature a generous envelope closure to hold your pillow securely in place.
7. Silk Pillowcase Size and Color Options
A one-size pillowcase definitely does NOT fit all. Your favorite pillow may be standard, queen, or king-sized; a properly sized silk pillowcase is perfectly tailored for maximum comfort and beauty. Your pillow will have a tag noting its size (standard and queen-size pillows are easy to confuse), so double-check your pillow size before buying a silk pillowcase. You also have a wide choice of colors when buying a silk pillowcase; white and ivory go with almost everything, but a pop of color can be a welcome addition to your bedroom décor. Note: Ivory is the only undyed color and the natural color of silk; all other colors, including white, have been dyed. Check your pillow label for size, or measure your pillowcase, before ordering your silk pillowcase.
One way to determine if you are purchasing a pillowcase from a US-based company is if the pillowcase listing has measurements in both inches and centimeters (cm); then it is most likely a foreign company selling silk.
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8. How to Care for Your Silk Pillowcase
Despite what you may have heard, silk is pretty easy to care for, and although hand washing silk works well, much of the silk on the market is actually machine washable. Always read the pillowcase's care instructions before purchasing to ensure yours is machine washable. We recommend using a laundry detergent specially formulated for silk, like Heritage Park's Silk & Wool Delicates Detergent . Turn pillowcases inside out, place them in mesh laundry bags, choose a cool, delicate cycle, and hang them to dry away from direct sunlight. A light iron, quick steam, or a simple hand smoothing should be all you need to keep your pure mulberry silk pillowcase looking and feeling beautiful. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach and fabric softener on silk pillowcases. Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases come with simple care instructions, but we always recommend checking our care guide for more in-depth information.
9. Silk Pillowcase Product Packaging and Presentation
If you're shopping for silk pillowcases on Amazon, you'll find packaging options ranging from basic plastic to beautiful gift boxes. A silk pillowcase is a gift of timeless luxury; it should be presented elegantly. Check the packaging in the photos; if there are no pictures of the silk pillowcase packaging, expect to receive your case in an airtight plastic bag. All Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases are packaged in a beautiful gift box.
10. Silk Pillowcases and Price
Last but not least, price matters when buying any silk product. Silk pillowcases come in a range of prices (and qualities!). Do your homework and comparison shop. We believe you get what you pay for with silk. However, you need not overpay. A reputable company like Mulberry Park Silks will disclose the information you need to evaluate their silk pillowcases by quality, weight (momme), and size, including whether the case has an envelope or hidden zipper closure. The Bottom Line: read the product listing for any silk pillowcase you're considering. If the above information is not clearly disclosed in the product listing, it's not part of the product.
considering. If the above information is not clearly disclosed in the product listing, it's not part of the product.
At Mulberry Park Silks, we design and sell the highest quality silk pillowcases and accessories on the market, offering a full range of silk products made from 100% pure Grade 6A mulberry silk. We offer a variety of silk pillowcase options to suit any style and budget. Our silk experts are available to provide suggestions, answer questions, and give recommendations as needed. All the fabric used in our premium silk sheets and pillowcases is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and tested against over 1,000 chemicals. Our headquarters and fulfillment are proudly based in Branford, CT. Visit our store or call (800) 860-1924 to find out more about our offerings, including silk sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, silk-filled bedspreads, shams, and more. Read thousands of 5-star reviews of our products here.
