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The Ultimate Guide to Buying Silk Bedding

Guide to buying silk beddingDid you recently sleep on silk for the first time and decide it was the perfect fabric for you? Maybe you purchased silk sheets in the past and loved them, but can’t seem to find new ones that are as nice? Whether you are a first time buyer or a longtime fan of sleeping on silk this guide is for you!

 

  1. Why Should You Buy Silk Bedding Over Other Fabrics?
  2. Types of Silk and How They Compare for Quality.
  3. Summer vs. Winter Silk Bedding.
  4. Choosing a Silk Duvet.
  5. Choosing Your Bedding Colors.
  6. Buying Silk Bedding for Your Guest Bedroom.
  7. Caring for Your Silk Bedding.

Why Should You Buy Silk Bedding Over Other Fabrics?

This is a question we are frequently asked by new customers. They have heard that silks sheets are superior, perhaps from their mother or grandmother, and they are interested in giving silk a try. So why is silk considered the most luxurious fabric for bedding?

  1. Silk is incredibly smooth and feels great on skin.
  2. Silk is a naturally hypoallergenic fabric and resists dust, fungus, mold and many other allergens.
  3. Silk is great for all climates, from cold winter nights to broiling summers, you can sleep in silk and be incredibly comfortable (more on this below)
  4. Silk is the longest lasting natural fabric.
  5. Silk is great for your skin and hair, it helps you retain moisture and reduce damage caused by higher friction fabrics.

Choosing to buy silk is like choosing to buy Amish furniture – it lasts much, much longer than anything else you could purchase. When you get tired of purchasing new sheets each season, then it’s time to purchase silk. Silk outlasts every other natural fabric and has a lifespan on par with polyester. Unlike polyester, silk is wonderful feeling and good for you. That’s why it’s the best fabric.

However, be careful not to buy poor quality silk, as you’ll learn in the next section, the quality of silk sheets matters just as much as the thread count with cotton sheets.

Types of Silk and How They Compare for Quality.

When you begin shopping for silk you should first educate yourself on the varieties of silk available and the way in which silk is measured for quality. In general, it is helpful to know the following types of silk:

Charmeuse Silk is the most commonly recognized type of silk, it is used in everything from bedding to dresses to shirts. This type of silk is lightweight and has a natural elasticity, which makes it the ideal fabric for use in sheets, pillow cases and other kinds of bedding. The front of the fabric has a satin sheen to it while the back has a dull finish. Charmeuse is a cultivated silk, meaning that the silk worms which produce it are farmed for their silk.

mulberry silk mothMulberry Silk is the highest quality of silk and the most sought after for bedding. Most mulberry silk is actually charmeuse silk that was cultivated from a special type of silkworm which is fed a very strict diet. The Bombyx mori is the silkworm which produces mulberry silk and it prefers to eat the leaves of the mulberry tree. This particular type of silkworm has been bred in captivity for over 5,000 years! The careful breeding for quality and the strict diet of mulberry leaves are what make the end product, mulberry silk, the very finest silk available today.

Tussah Silk is actually silk made from wild silkworms which have not been bred. As the worms are not fed a strict diet or protected in the same way that cultivated silkworms are, this type of silk is not as soft or durable as cultivated silk. Most wild silk comes from India and not China.

Habotai Silk is another great silk that is commonly used for making sheets and bedding. Habotai is less expensive but also less durable than charmeuse. Often this type of silk is “washed” with sand to make it feel as soft as charmeuse. However this washing process also destroys the fibers in the silk, which means it doesn’t last as long.

Duppoini Silk is strong, lustrous but coarse and not ideal for sheets and most bedding. Sometimes it can be used in duvets, but because of its quality it does not work as well to maintain temperatures. The lower quality is due to the fact that this silk is made from irregular cocoons that are not of the same quality you would find in charmeuse silk.

Now that you know that mulberry silk is the very best silk you also need to learn a little about something called “Momme Weight”. Pronounced “mummy”, the momme weight is basically a measurement of the weight of the silk. This measurement was actually developed by the Japanese and is also used to measure things like pearls.

To calculate the momme weight you need to measure a piece of fabric that is 100 yards long and 45 inches wide. If this piece of fabric weighs 12 lbs then the momme weight of the fabric is 12. Obviously this isn’t something you can do for yourself while out shopping, so be sure to check labels for the manufacturer’s listing.

The type of silk also helps determine the momme weight of the silk. For instance habotai silk is usually only found with a momme weight of 5-15, while charmeuse silk can be anywhere from 12 to 30.

Ideally you want to look for a momme weight of greater than 14 for bedding. Here at ElleSilk all of our bedding is made with a momme weight of 22. You will almost never see bedding at a higher momme.

Summer vs. Winter Silk Bedding.

Silk throw blanketYou might not believe this, but silk is actually perfect for all seasons! Your silk pillowcases and sheets do not need to be switched out from summer to winter. If you get particularly hot or cold nights then we do recommend you purchase a different silk duvet for summer and winter. You can also try purchasing a silk blanket for winter, for a little extra warmth.

Why is silk so flexible? To start silk doesn’t bunch up, which means it provides you entire body even heat. So your feet are just as insulated as your upper body, and your own body can better regulate temperate.

Ever wake up in the middle of the night sweating buckets from the heat of your bedding? That’s because most synthetic fibers and other traditional bedding materials like down trap air. Over the course of the night your body heat slowly builds up until it becomes unbearable. Your sweat is also trapped inside the bedding and unable to evaporate, so you end up with disgusting wet sheets that are impossible to fall back to sleep in. This is especially problematic for women who are going through menopause, as their body cycles from hot to cool to hot again the typical cotton sheets can’t accommodate the changes in heat and they wake up continuously from discomfort.

The beautiful structure of silk at a microscopic level is what allows a small, but effective, amount of air to naturally help your body regulate its temperature. As you overheat your body perspires and silk’s breathable nature allows that moisture to escape thus cooling your body, this is known as a wicking effect. As you cool off less moisture is produced and silk helps your body retain the natural heat it produces. Not only that but silk gives an even amount of cooling throughout the night so your body doesn’t need to be constantly readjusting.

You could buy expensive synthetic bedding which also has the same effect, but why? You are only introducing more chemicals into your environment and silk is a completely natural fabric that provides the same wicking effect.

Choosing a Silk Duvet.

The first thing you must do when choosing a silk duvet is consider the season you’ll be using it for. As we mentioned above, having a different duvet for winter and summer is recommended. Thicker silk duvets are ideal for winter as they trap more of your body’s natural heat, while thinner ones are ideal for summer as they allow more air to cool your body.

When shopping for silk duvets you should look at the tog to identify how warm or cool the duvet is. The tog is a rating of how insulating a particular duvet or other kind of fabric is.

Summer weight silk duvetThe ideal summer duvet is usually between 2-4 tog and has no additional fabrics added to it. Making sure that this duvet is pure silk is very important if you want to stay cool all summer long. Take a look at our very own summer silk duvet for more information.
Fall spring silk duvet Some individuals also like to use a spring and fall duvet, these typically have a tog of around 8-11. If you live in more moderate climate you might also opt to use this kind of duvet for most of the year. A fall or spring duvet can also be helpful if you are looking to save money and only want to purchase a single duvet.
mulberry silk duvet for winterDuring winter you’ll want many layers of silk to keep you warm, we recommend at least 12 tog and our winter duvet has 13 tog. For especially cool climates you might want to consider a cotton covered silk duvet. For the most part, you will find that even our pure silk duvet is extremely warm throughout the winter.

Choosing Your Colors.

Finally! The fun part of shopping for silk bedding. Choosing a color combination that works for you and your decor is very important. Not only will the colors you choose enhance your mood but they can also help you fall asleep easier.

dark blue silk duvet coverLuxury silk bedding set

Blue – is a beautiful color but did you know that it’s been proven over and over again to have an impact on sleep? A study in 2013 show that individuals sleeping in a blue room had the most sleep. When you think of blue thoughts of peace and calm enter your mind. Blue is a naturally calming color and if you are not using blue in your room already then consider buying a blue duvet or a blue bedding set to really make an impact on your sleep.

If blue is the best color for your bedroom then what are the worst? You might automatically think red or yellow would have the opposite effect, but actually purple, brown and grey were ranked the worst! If possible avoid these colors for your wall paint, bedding and anything more than just accents.

If you are looking to enhance your love life then colors like gold, yellow and orange have been shown to increase libido. While in the same 2013 study it was found that red decor did not lead to increased romance in the bedroom.

Want a great night’s rest but not sure if blue is the color for you? Green and orange decor also have a positive effect. Mix and match these colors for a restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep!

Buying Silk Bedding for your Guest Bedroom

If you want to enhance the stay of your guests and impress them at the same time then silk bedding is definitely the way to go. Not only is it a real treat for those that have never slept in silk before, but with all of silk’s health and sleep benefits it will help cut down on crankiness from jet lag.

luxury silk bedding setThe perfect guest bedroom should look elegant, which is why we recommend purchasing one of our luxurious silk bedding sets. Our 8 piece sets include a duvet, flat sheet, oxford and housewife pillowcases and silk mattress covers. The incredible designs will enhance any room and make them appear incredibly elegant!

If you really want to make your guest’s stay special then purchase a silk eye mask for them to take home with them. These eye masks are ideal for helping your guests get to sleep and are an affordable thank you gift for their stay.

Beyond purchasing a silk bedding set you should also purchase a silk blanket or throw for them. These blankets are warm, soft and perfect for the guest who is fickle about how much or how little coverage they want at night.

Caring for Your Silk Bedding

Now that you’ve been sleeping in silk you’re probably wondering – how often do I need to clean my sheets? Can I wash them? Do they need to be dry cleaned?

The wonderful thing about high quality silk is that it naturally repels dirt, dust, oils and other grime that your bedding will accumulate. Silk bedding can thus be washed less often than traditional cotton or synthetic fibers.

Most silk can be machine washed and air dried, although you should always see the specific instructions for that product. In general we recommend the following:

Basic rules for washing silk:

  • Never use bleach or any bleaching agents! These damage the fibers and shorten the lifespan of your silk.
  • Never machine dry! High heat and the tumbling motion can damage the fibers as well.
  • DO machine or hand wash your silk with cold water.
  • DO air dry your silk.
  • DO lightly iron your silk on the cool setting on the inside of the fabric.

Some items like silk blankets, duvets and pillows require special care. Please see our full care guide for more information on each product.

Choosing Silk Bed Cover for Good Health

silk bed coverSilk bed cover belongs to the protein fibers. Silk bed cover contains up to 18 kinds of healthful amino acids which can help maintain metabolism of lipid membrane on the surface of the skin. After using silk bed cover, you can keep your skin moist and smooth. With the advantages of smooth, soft, strong hygroscopicity and good ventilation, silk bed cover is referred to as “fiber Queen”. With its unique charm, silk bed cover has won people’s favor from all ages.

Thus selecting pure high-quality silk bed cover and experiencing their smooth texture, good breathability and 100% natural protein fibers on the skin. Its delicate care for your skin can bring you higher-quality sleep. In addition, it can help maintain metabolism of lipid membrane on the surface of the skin, this will also keep the skin moist and smooth. Silk bed cover fabric has good moisture absorption. In the summer, it can be faster to take away people’s sweat, you will have sense of cool, smooth and therefore especially suitable for the persons who are suffering from pruritus.

Real silk bed covers can greatly absorb ultraviolet, which can protect the skin from damages. It was reported that long-term bedridden suffers with a bedsore. Meanwhile, you can ease the absorption and evaporation of the water, keep the affected area clean and speed up the healing of an open sore. So many good, hurry to try it!

Travelling with Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

silk sleeping bag linerYou could be forgiven for thinking I am mad to talk about this topic- travelling with silk sleeping bag liner. You must wonder how to take a holiday with silk sleeping bag liner? It sounds really weird. So please allow me to explain it a bit in following reasons.

What’s the aim of travelling? The relaxation is a good enough purpose for travelling regardless of anything else. We can make much entertaining experiencing on vacation. Silk sleeping bag liner also can bring in enjoyment once you sleep with it. Getting to sleep in a silk sleeping bag liner is a lot like resting under a light cozy cloud, the silk sleeping bag liner will keep you comfortable and comfy when it’s cold outside. When you wake up the next day, you simply feel like a new guy who just returned from an exciting vocation. Go travelling can bring some sort of physical exercises while you are on the road. Once you take a holiday you will appreciate that you should move your body and exercise in different ways. For anyone who is in a job in places you sit all day this will be refreshing and regenerating. In the structure of silk sleeping bag liner, the cocoon shell includes two healthy proteins named fibroin, held together by a gum-like protein called “sericin”. The sericin protein is made of 18 amino acids. Consequently, silk sleeping bag liner can keep you fit as well while sleeping.

So bringing a best silk sleeping bag liner home, share the holiday with the one you loved, share the healthy, share the happiness!

A Buyer’s Guide to Silk Pillow

silk pillowA perfect silk pillow is the key to a good night’s sleep. Find out how to choose the best silk pillow for your bedroom with this essential guide.

Your first question should be: What’s my sleeping position? Certain silk pillow offers better support. Softer silk pillow suits those who sleep on their stomach, while medium silk pillow is good for back sleepers. If you sleep on your side, choose a firmer make. If you have allergy concerns, take care of your silk pillow. “A common misconception is that the silk pillow’s filling causes allergic reactions. But it’s the dust mites that get in there over time,” says Tom Adair from Abode Living.

Filling will ultimately define your silk pillow’s ability to go the distance. Silk will last between two to three years, while a mix of down/silk will last five if will cared for. Mulberry silk pillow on the other hand should be replaced after 10 to 12 months as they don’t hold their shape.

Buyer’s Guide to Luxury Bedding

luxury beddingThe bedroom is a sanctuary for busy people – it’s also one of the easiest spaces to style. A simple, carefully considered luxury bedding scheme is enough to give even the most minimally furnished bedroom a warm and welcoming feel and a sense of personality. Considering we spend around a third of our lives sleeping, there’s no better reason to invest in quality luxury bedding. The benefits are two-fold: an enviably beautiful bedroom and a really great night’s sleep.

The focal point of any bedroom is a warm and luxury bedding. Layering your luxury bedding with new colors and seasonal textures is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update the look and feel of your bedroom throughout the year. For the summer months, soft greys and blues luxury bedding can be complemented with a pop of bright citrus – try a zingy scatter cushion in vibrant yellow or orange. With the great variety of beds and mattresses now available, buying luxury bedding is no longer as simple as selecting a standard-sized luxury bedding sheet for a standard-sized bed. New mattresses now often feature a built-in ‘pillow-top’ – this results in an extra-deep mattress, requiring generous-sized fitted luxury bedding sheets.

Keep things simple and invest in quality luxury silk bedding rather than a mountain of cushions and throws – which often end up on the floor every night.

Mulberry Silk Blankets Buying Tips

silk blanketsTurn your bedroom into a relaxing retreat by piling the bed high with plump pillows, cozy silk blankets and feather-light duvets. Comfortable silk blankets can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and a bad one, so do your research before you buy.

Silk blankets can be layered up or down, depending on the conditions, giving you plenty of flexibility for temperature changes at night. Silk blankets are superior to synthetic blanket materials as they are natural and breathable. Silk blankets are a good choice for warmer climates or air conditioned settings as they offer lightweight warmth. Silk blankets are warmer and cozier, making them ideal for colder climates.

Once you have figured out how to buy mulberry silk blankets, consider whether your silk blankets will need to be dry cleaned or washed and cared for a certain way based on its fabric. Most silk blankets require dry cleaning.

Quality Silk Linen Buying Guide

silk linenThe greatest element to consider when deciding on what type of silk linen you would like inside the sheets you are going to purchase is durability. Mulberry silk linen is woven from lengthy continuous filaments. Tussah silk linen is truly a spun silk which indicates the filaments are not continuous. It makes Tussah silk linen less durable.

Silk linen is comfy every inside the summer and within the winter. Inside the summer they wick away the moisture from the body and within the winter they gently form for the body eliminating air pockets and holding inside the body heat which keeps you warm. Plus the essential amino acids found in silk linen are stated to delay wrinkling in the skin, be excellent for your hair, and help you get a restful night’s sleep. Who knew that silk linen could do so a lot for an individual? When looking at silk linen invest attention to every the momme weight in the silk linen and also the thread count. The momme weight is truly a measurement in the weight of silk. A truly low momme count indicates the silk linen will not be durable they are too thin. A momme weight of 12-19 is perfect for silk linen.

As soon as you have a set of silk linen you most likely will not wish to ever sleep on something else. There is completely absolutely nothing fairly like the sheer comfort of becoming caressed by silk bed linen as you gently drift off to sleep for the night, that’s a truly big deal indeed.

The Ultimate Guide to Silk Slip

silk slipWhen it comes to slipping into night clothes that feels wonderful and looks stunning, there is no comparison to silk slip. One of the softest fabrics available, silk slip, has a sheer, sleek feel that is as light as air against the skin. You should always try to buy a piece of silk slip that you feel comfortable in not only wearing, but in purchasing. Certain colors of silk slip look better on somebody than others, so it is important to match your skin color accordingly.

Silk slip is usually worn over the pieces of lingerie underneath, such as a bra, corset, and panty. When it comes to silk slip used for lingerie, the silk slip only extends down to the mid-thigh. There are different styles and cuts. Some silk slips are almost see-through, while others are slightly heavier. A baby doll silk slip usually has a high empire waist that emphasizes the bust, but the rest of the silk slip is very billowy. A teddy silk slip, on the other hand, is considerably tighter on the body and hugs all your curves.

Silk slip is a true luxury for many women. Just the feel of silk alone, speaks to how expensive and desired this fabric is all over the world. When you buy mulberry silk slip you should always consider your body type, color, and fit in order to find the best pieces. Always choose the silk slip what you feel comfortable with, so exploring your options is important.

Why not Shop Silk Dressing Gown Online

silk dressing gownSilk dressing gowns are generally understood to be an alternative to more traditional pyjamas, but they also include a selection of lingerie. Before looking to buy silk dressing gown, shoppers may want to accustom themselves to the various nightdress styles, which include chemises, negligees, peignoirs, and pyjama nightdresses. All of the previously mentioned silk dressing gown types are available in different dress styles, and each is based on the silhouette, hem length, and collar style.

Whether looking for a silk dressing gown to ward off the winter chill while sleeping or just looking for something cozy to lounge around the house in during the evening, potential silk dressing gown buyers should consider doing their shopping online. Websites allow shoppers to quickly gather and view a large assortment of silk dressing gown all from the comfort of home, and the site offers tempting savings when compared to the options available at traditional retail stores.

Regardless of what type or style of silk dressing gown buyers are looking for, shopping via an online auction listing website may be an ideal alternative to traditional brick and mortar retail shopping. In addition to the convenience of being able to shop from home, buyers can also view a potentially broader selection of mulberry silk dressing gown, while also capitalizing on potential savings.

Advantages of Silk Bedding Sets

silk bedding setsSilk bedding sets are the natural fiber that is the most suitable for our sleep and skin. A fabric that’s really light in weight, flows really well, and emanates that luxury glow. Silk bedding sets can help you fall asleep in a short while, you will also feel cool in summer without the trouble of wake up in the night because of hot weather.

Everybody hopes to own a beauty sleep each night. Silk bedding sets are suitable for all seasons as it breathes naturally and adjusts to your body temperature during sleep! Your living room must be a place where you can totally relax after a stressful working days. Hence, the ambience of the bedroom will take an important role that highly dependent on the style of decorating and furnishing, especially feel of your silk bedding set. Silk bedding sets are wrinkle resistant as well. If we sleep on our bedding for a whole night, it will look wrinkle next morning. However, if you use luxury silk bedding sets, you will be less worried about making bed. Mulberry silk bedding sets protein fabric is hard to wrinkle and easy to return to the original appearance.

As we knew, the bed is always take the centerpiece of the room so that you have to make your bedding an elegant appearance and comforter sleeping experience for selecting the suitable luxury silk bedding sets.

Silk Comforters VS Down Comforters

silk comfortersDown comforters and silk comforters are wonderfully comfortable and provide many healthy-sleep benefits you won’t find in a polyester comforter. Although these natural comforters share similar qualities, each one is unique in how it feels and performs.

Silk comforters and down comforters all have the ability to thermal regulate — retain and release body heat and moisture while you sleep — but each fiber does it a little differently. Like wool, silk comforters can breathe and are good insulator. It allows excess body heat and moisture to escape, while maintaining a dry, warm sleep environment. Some people find silk comforters’ thermal warmth runs slightly “hotter” than wool but not as warm as down. This is partly due to the silk comforters’ structure. It holds and releases body heat at a different rate than wool and down.

Luxury silk comforters are good at shedding excess body moisture so the fiber stays dry. Like wool, mulberry silk comforters naturally deter dust-mites, mold and mildew.