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The Best Silk Sheets – 2022 Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Written by Tuck Staff

Quick Overview

Silk sheets have always been a luxurious choice for bedding, but in recent years their popularity has skyrocketed. More people are falling in love with silk’s hypoallergenic properties, ability to prevent bedhead, and kindness to their skin, along with its beauty and comfort.

Silk has been produced by silkworms domesticated in China since before recorded history. It is stronger and softer than cotton, as well as being surprisingly easy to care for. If you’ve only experienced synthetic silks or sateen cotton weaves, a silk sheet set will dispel myths such as silk snagging easily, shrinking, or being too cold.

We’ve put together a list of our favorite silk sheet sets, as well as a buyer’s guide to help you choose and care for your new bedding. By the end, you should know if silk sheets are for you, how to find the best-quality choices, and how to ensure your sheets last for years.

Best Silk Sheets

The Best Silk Sheets – Reviewed

Editor's PickLilySilk Silk Sheet Set

Editor's Pick - LilySilk Silk Sheet Set

Highlights

  • 3-piece set: 2 pillowcases and a fitted sheet
  • 19 momme rating
  • Available in sizes from Twin to California King
  • 12 colors: 4 neutrals and 8 rich colors
  • 100% Mulberry silk from Bombyx Mori silkworms
  • Free shipping
LilySilk Silk Sheet Set is available to Our readers at the lowest price
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Editor's PickLilySilk Silk Sheet Set

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We’ve chosen the LilySilk Silk Sheet Set as our Editor’s Pick for its high-quality affordability, wide range of colors and sizes, and extraordinarily soft touch. Mulberry silk is the highest quality of silk on the market, and the Bombyx Mori silkworm is considered the best source. While mulberry silk sheets can overwhelm even large budgets, this three-piece set is an affordable option which offers many years of comfort.

One feature of this set is that it does not include a flat or top sheet. In addition to lowering the price, this allows buyers the option of either buying a silk sheet, using an already-owned sheet, or buying a different type of sheet to mix-and-match fabrics to their comfort. If you fall in love with your LilySilk set, the brand also offers a matching top sheet in the same range of colors to complete your collection.

Best LuxuryOrose Silk Sheet Set

Best Luxury - Orose Silk Sheet Set

Highlights

  • 4-piece set: 2 pillowcases, a flat sheet, and a fitted sheet
  • 19 momme rating
  • Available in sizes from Twin to California King
  • 11 colors: 5 neutrals, 2 pastels, and 3 jewel tones
  • 100% long-strand Mulberry silk
Brooklinen sheet sets are available to our readers at the lowest price
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Best LuxuryOrose Silk Sheet Set

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All silk sheets are luxurious, but there will always be one which is more lavish than the others. The Orose Silk Sheet Set easily won out for our Best Luxury pick, entrancing us with its almost-liquid softness and weight, which makes for a truly decadent night’s sleep. Buyers interested in silk’s ability to calm hair, protect curls, and pamper skin will fall in love with this set, as the beautifully thick weave slides against the body like a dream.

Despite being so smooth and decadent, silk is incredibly durable. The silk fibers used and the way a sheet is manufactured will always play a significant role in your sheet set’s longevity. Orose uses only the highest grade (6a) of long-strand silk to make these seamless, well-sewn sheets, so you can sleep peacefully knowing you’ve made an investment that will last for years to come.

Best Color SelectionTHXSILK 19 Momme Silk Sheet Set

Best Color Selection - THXSILK 19 Momme Silk Sheet Set

Highlights

  • 4-piece set: 2 pillowcases, a flat sheet, and a fitted sheet
  • 19 momme rating
  • Available in sizes from Full to California King
  • 17 colors: 4 neutrals, 1 pastel, and 12 rich colors
  • 100% long-strand Mulberry silk
  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
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Best Color SelectionTHXSILK 19 Momme Silk Sheet Set

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Silk sheets lend themselves beautifully to color, particularly rich, jewel-like tones. If you want to take advantage of silk’s ability to hold lustrous color, consider the THXSILK 19 Momme Silk Sheet Set, our pick for Best Color Selection. With an astonishing seventeen shades to choose from, you’re sure to find one that will suit your bedroom and transform your space. Many of these vivid colors are unavailable from other brands, making THXSILK a one-stop shop for color aficionados.

Of course, nobody buys silk sheets for color alone. A well-known Chinese silk brand who have recently begun selling to the Western market, THXSILK crafts all of their sheet sets using only high-quality long-strand Mulberry silk. With its dreamy weight and careful construction, this set will please any silk sheet lover. Better yet, it is the only silk option on this list with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification for material safety.

Best Silk AlternativeBrooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

Best Silk Alternative - Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

Highlights

  • 4-piece set: 2 pillowcases, a flat sheet, and a fitted sheet
  • 19 momme rating
  • Available in sizes from Full to California King
  • 17 colors: 4 neutrals, 1 pastel, and 12 rich colors
  • 100% long-strand Mulberry silk
  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified
Our readers get 10% off at Brooklinen with code: TUCK10
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Best Silk AlternativeBrooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set

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While silk is a wonderful fabric, it isn’t right for everyone. Whether you’re interested in a vegan option, co-sleep with a child who doesn’t yet stay dry, or don’t have the budget for real silk, the Brooklinen Luxe Core Sheet Set — our choice for Best Silk Alternative — might be just what you’re looking for. The sets start at an affordable $129, while still offering a rich, luxurious feel.

Sateen-woven cotton is one of the best ways of mimicking silk’s beauty and comfort. Though not liquid or buttery like real silk (sateen has the crisp feel of good cotton), it is silky to the touch and kind to both skin and hair. Patterns are easier to produce with cotton than silk, and Brooklinen has taken full advantage of this opportunity with five trendy patterns. Finally, the company backs up their products with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification as well as a lifetime warranty.

Buying Guide – Shopping for the Best Silk Sheets

Despite silk’s long history, it is still an unfamiliar fabric to most people. This is particularly true of silk sheets, which have different qualities than silk clothing and are far heavier and more durable. We’ve created this buyer’s guide to acquaint you with this wonderful fabric, dispel silk myths, and help you choose the right silk sheets for your lifestyle.

By the end, you should understand the basics of silk sheets, know the pros and cons associated with them, and feel confident buying and caring for a set of your own.

Why Silk?

With its liquid appearance and smooth feel, it’s easy to understand why silk is thought of as delicate. However, silk is the strongest natural fiber used for bedding, making it more durable than both cotton and linen. It’s so strong that it was the material of choice for parachutes up until World War II.

Long-strand silk is even more long-lasting: by carefully unraveling the silkworm cocoons so as not to break the individual strands, manufacturers can offer a premium fabric with fewer tear points. Synthetic fibers are slightly stronger than silk, but they will never be able to match silk’s other extraordinary qualities.

Despite its durability, silk can feel almost insubstantial and glides effortlessly on the skin. (Unlike sateen weaves and synthetic silks, real silk does not catch on feet, hands, or dry patches.) This quality makes silk part of many people’s beauty routine — its unique softness, and potentially the amino acids it contains, are kind to both hair and skin. Flyaways and frizziness are reduced and curls are protected overnight when you use a silk pillowcase, and your skin will thank you for silk’s moisture-protecting and irritation-reducing qualities.

One reason why silk is a good choice for sensitive skin is because it is naturally hypoallergenic. In fact, silk has been used for centuries in medicine as thread to suture wounds because so few people react negatively to it.

Silk resists dust, fungus, and mold. Silk is also the fabric of choice for eczema and topical dermatitis sufferers, offering both cool comfort on the skin and less potential for irritation.

Finally, silk is a natural temperature regulator. Just as the silkworm’s dislike of mold benefits us, so too does its need for a cocoon which remains at a stable temperature. As a bedding, silk is the best option for all seasons: cooling during the summer, and insulating during the winter.

Though it doesn’t have the “cozy” roughness of flannel, silk wicks away moisture and breathes easily while remaining a perfect temperature against the skin. In cold weather, simply swap your summer duvet out for a warmer option.

Pros of Silk Sheets

  • Offers a lustrous, almost incandescent sheen which is unmatched by synthetic silk or other natural fibers. While sateen weaves look beautiful in their own right, silk has a glow other fabrics lack.
  • Takes well to dyes, including both light and dark shades, and holds color without fading when taken care of properly.
  • Made from natural fibers which are hypoallergenic and resistant to ambient allergens like dust, fungus, and mold.
  • The strongest natural fiber used for bedding, beating both cotton and linen in tensile strength tests. Only slightly less durable than synthetics.
  • Uniquely soft against the skin, reducing skin irritation and moisture loss. Also helps prevent bedhead and protect hairstyles due to hair not catching on the smooth fabric.
  • Temperature-regulating, with good breathability and the ability to wick moisture from the skin. Remains cool in the summer while insulating well in the colder weather. An ideal all-season fabric.
  • Can be machine-washed at home using cold water and the delicate (or gentle) cycle, though hand-washing is the better option for longevity.
  • Does not shrink when used and cleaned correctly.

Cons of Silk Sheets

  • Costly to manufacture (3000 cocoons must be carefully unwound to make one pound of silk fiber), making silk sheets one of the most expensive choices for bedding.
  • Despite lasting for years, the high upfront cost can place them out of budget for many people.
  • Since silk is produced by the domesticated silkworm, it is not considered a vegan product. Vegans, as well as vegetarians who avoid animal fibers, should consider our choice for the best silk alternative sheet set.
  • Despite not being as difficult to care for as some people believe, silk still requires more care and attention than other fabrics. For example, it must be air-dried for best results and requires silk-safe detergents.
  • Stains easily, and many common stain removal products are unsuitable for use with silk.
  • Fades in the sunlight, and over time light colors may develop yellowing.

Different Types of Silk Sheets

Momme Weight Rating

Unlike other natural fibers, which are usually rated by thread count, silk uses what is known as the momme weight rating. A momme is the weight in pounds of a length of silk 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. This weight corresponds to the momme (mm), so that a 14 pound length of silk would be rated as 14mm.

While lighter momme weights are fine for clothing, bedding usually requires a higher rating. 19mm is considered the best weight for affordability, feel, and durability, and all of our choices for silk sheet sets are 19mm.

As the momme rating increases silk becomes more opaque, but silk sheets — particularly undyed ones — will always be slightly sheer. This is a feature of the fabric and does not affect its durability.

Silk Types and Silk Alternatives

Just as with cotton and linen, there are different types and grades of silk used for bedding. Silk alternatives, like sateen weave cotton and synthetic silks, are a different but affordable option.

Fit, Color, and Pattern

Silk sheets do not shrink easily when taken care of properly. Silk sheet maintenance is covered in more detail below, but it’s important to know the three things to avoid in order for your silk sheets to stay the right size:

  • Do not soak your sheets before washing. Doing so causes the individual fibers to change shape, losing some softness and leading to shrinkage.
  • Use only cool water when washing your sheets.
  • Hang to air-dry. Silk dries quickly, but if you live in a humid area it’s worth having a different sheet set to use while your sheets dry.

Most sheet sets come in a range of standard sizes, so fit yours to your bed size. The main concern when choosing a fitted sheet is the depth of the “pocket”, which affects the mattress height it will fit. All of our choices above have extra-deep pockets, but before you make your purchase it’s worth measuring your mattress to be sure.

Silk comes in a wide range of colors, as it takes dye well and complements it with a beautiful luster. Some people prefer dark colors (which are more opaque and not prone to yellowing), while others like the cool sophistication of a classic white or other pale shades. Lighter colors are also less likely to fade from sunlight, so choose whatever fits your room and your aesthetic.

Patterns are uncommon in silk sheets, though some options are available. It’s more common to find sheets with embroidery on the edges, or on the pillowcases only, though these tend to be more expensive than plain options.

Finding the Right Silk Sheets

Unlike sheets made from sources like cotton, silk sheets do not come in a wide variety of weaves. Instead, most silk sheets have a similar texture and similar qualities, with the differences primarily in silk type/quality and momme weight. Along with these, here are some further considerations in choosing the right silk sheets for you.

Temperature Considerations

All silk sheets are temperature-regulating and tend to be comfortable for cold or hot sleepers. However, some people do find that silk can be unpleasantly cool when first climbing into bed. If this is the case for you, consider also purchasing a heated mattress pad to use with your set.

Pure Silk vs. Blended Silk

While pure silk sheets are more common, blended fabrics are also available. Usually primarily cotton with 25-30% silk, these sheets are usually less expensive and are closer to cotton sheets than silk. However, they are softer and tend to have a more flowing, less crisp texture.

Organic Silk

Previously extremely pricey and difficult to find, organic silk is becoming accessible and more affordable as consumers begin demanding more environmentally-friendly bedding. You can still expect to pay a premium for high-quality organic silk, but by shopping around and waiting for sales it’s possible to find a set to fit your budget.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification

This global system offers to certification for products which undergo testing and are shown to be free of harmful chemicals. The absence of this certification does not mean your sheets are contaminated, only that their manufacturer did not pay for the certification process. Furthermore, silk is not prone to contamination in the same way as grown fibers like cotton, or processed fabrics like rayon. However, the OEKO-TEX Standard offers peace of mind and qualifying sheets do not necessarily cost more.

Silk Sheet Care and Maintenance

You can also prolong your sheet set’s life by avoiding jagged toe and fingernails, not eating in bed, and keeping to a regular washing schedule.

  • Before using any product on your sheets, test on a small area to ensure it does not stain or bleed color.
  • Treat stains immediately if possible.
  • Silk sheets should not be pre-soaked, as this can damage the fibers. If your sheets are particularly dirty or stained, pre-treat using diluted white vinegar or a silk-friendly stain removal product.
  • If possible, hand-wash your silk sheets for the first three or four washes. New silk sheets have stiffened fibers, and by hand-washing you allow them to soften (and become more durable) slowly enough to avoid any breakage.
  • Continuing to hand-wash after this will keep them in good condition for longer, but silk can also be machine-washed on the delicate, gentle, or hand-wash cycle.
  • Use only cool to lukewarm water and mild, silk-friendly detergents.
  • Always hang your sheets to dry, as a dryer will shrink and damage your silk. Sunlight can fade color, so hang in a shady area with lots of airflow.

What Else Should You Consider When Purchasing Silk Sheets?

Silk sheets are often quite similar, differing mostly in color, weight, and silk type. So long as you choose a durable, high-quality sheet set, you can choose whichever sheets look and feel best to you. However, there are a few other concerns to keep in mind when shopping:

What Pieces are Included in a Set?

Most silk sheets come as a set rather than individual pieces, and all of our choices include at least a fitted sheet and pillowcases. However, some sets do not include a flat sheet, and it’s important to double-check that you’re purchasing all the pieces you need.

Shipping and Return Policy

Although shipping is usually less for silk sheets than bulky items like a duvet, the additional cost can still come as a surprise. Check the shipping price before making a decision, and consider buying a set with free shipping if you’re close to the top of your budget. Return policies are also worth considering, particularly if you’re unsure whether silk sheets are right for you.

Warranty

Some manufacturers and stores offer warranties on their silk bedding. Though most are limited, they still offer some peace of mind given the cost of investing in silk. If you can’t find whether your choice of sheets comes with a warranty, look for the company’s help number or email to learn more.

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