It’s hard to imagine that silk could have disadvantages. Many people think that silk is the standard of measuring quality fabrics for pillowcases, but that is not true. There are a couple of problems that you need to know.
Silk is currently one of the best fabrics for pillowcases. Out of all the possible pillowcases, silk possesses the most beneficial properties such as protecting your hair, reducing sweating and acne, and prevent wrinkles on the skin.
The result of long-term use of silk pillowcase is scientifically proven and many people find their benefits impossible to substitute.
However, that does not tell all sides of the story.
Whatever has positive also comes with negatives. There are a few cons of silk pillowcases that most of us never think about.
Even silk pillowcases, despite the overwhelming positive rating they receive, can still have disadvantages.
Disadvantages of Silk Pillowcases
1. Silk Pillowcases are Expensive
The price of silk is not similar to other fabrics.
When you want pure silk like those at Mulberry Park, it’s even going to be pricier. The most expensive silk pillowcases meet the Silk CHARMS criteria.
CH – Charmeuse weave. This is a style of weaving that gives silk pillowcase a smooth luster on the upper side and a mantle finish on the other.
A – The silk needs to be Grade 6A, which is the highest quality.
R – Yes, your silk needs to be 100% Real.
M – Momme weight for your silk should be either 19, 22, or 30. Momme measures the density of silk in a particular product. It is much like thread count.
S – Safety is also important when talking about fabrics. The safety also needs to extend to the environment to meet the OEKO-TEX certification standards.
To get silk pillowcases that meet all these standards, you might need to pay a much higher price.
Quality silk will always attract higher pricing.
If your seller is offering a cheaper price, it is probably not genuine silk. Nonetheless, you don’t have to overpay for silk pillowcases that will provide value.
2. Producing and Harvesting Silk is Cumbersome
One of the most commonly cited disadvantage of silk pillowcase is the difficulty of producing and harvesting silk. It is a labor intensive process associated with many ethical issues including child labor.
Ruthless dealers interested in obtaining quality silk at low cost may use forced or child labor to find their way. Despite all that, the best quality silk pillowcase will still be quite expensive.
What can one do to avoid these downsides?
You can use alternative pillowcases. In this case, the best alternative to silk pillowcase would be bamboo pillowcases. Bamboo provides nearly the same benefits as the ones you’d get from silk pillowcase.
3. Concerns about Animal Welfare
Silk produced through silkworms are often considered the best. However, the process of producing the best silk comes with its limitations. The production of silk will require these worms to be killed. Vegans or other people concerned about animal protection rights do not see this as a good practice.
Even though your silk pillowcase might feel so good on the skin and prevent sweating, one of its disadvantages is the production process that involves killing of silk-producing animals.
4. Environmental Issues
The environment is not an obvious disadvantage on its own.
Silk has a mixed environmental impact. It is a natural fiber and will biodegrade.
Similarly, Mulberry trees that sustain most silkworms require few pesticides or fertilizers. The trees can be grown organically and require less water than cotton. Typically, silk pillowcases are not necessarily bad for the environment.
5. Risk of buying fake silk
There is also the risk of not finding an exact replacement when your silk pillowcase gets old. As a disadvantage of silk pillowcase, this one lies with the buyer. You need to be aware of where you buy the pillowcase from.
The secret is to use trusted sellers.
Once you identify a store that sells high-quality silk pillowcase, stick with them anytime you need a new set.
6. Hard to maintain silk fabrics
Washing silk frequently eliminates its smooth feel. If you want your silk pillowcase to last long, you might have to wash it less frequently. Alternatively, you will need to have multiple sets to change each time you’ve washed one.
For some of us, buying a couple of silk pillowcases at a go could be costly.
Therefore, you could be forced to supplement your pillowcases with other types such as satin or cotton.
In that case, you will not be able to enjoy the full benefits of using silk pillowcase.
7. Silk Fades in the Sun
Yes, silk fades in the sun. Natural silk is composed of protein-based fiber which gives it the unique luster and beauty.
Being a natural fiber, you will notice that silk pillowcase begins to fade after being washed several times.
Fading is worsened by drying in direct sunlight.
That is why it is recommended that you dry your silk pillowcases in a shadow.
Hang them away from direct sun. The same approach should apply for silk sheets.
The advantage of silk pillowcase is that it dries very quickly even indoors.
8. Silk is too Delicate
High-quality silk pillowcase will last longer when maintained properly.
Although silk is soft, lustrous, and gentle to the touch, poor quality, cheap silk, is flimsy.
Indeed you should take care to protect your silk pillowcase from snags and tears (for example, by using a mesh laundry bag when washing it). However, high quality silk pillowcases will always last long just like cotton counterparts.
You need to find Grade 6A silk because it is the best quality in the marketplace to offer you the most benefits. As long as you take care of your silk, it will last quite long.
9. Silk is Too Slippery for Comfort When Sleeping
To some people, the texture of silk is unpleasant.
They may feel that silk pillowcases are too slippery for them to rest their head comfortably throughout the night without sliding.
Although it may be seen as a disadvantage, the smooth, slippery texture of silk offers some of its benefits for your skin and hair. Actually, if you take care of the pillowcase, it will only be fairly slippery.
Regardless of the benefits of the texture of silk, not everyone feels it is an ideal choice for all pillowcases.
Silk pillowcases have numerous benefits including your skin and hair. The biggest advantage you get from a silk pillowcase is glide. Unlike the friction you get with cotton pillowcases, silk pillowcases are nice and smooth against your skin and hair.
We can comfortably say that silk pillowcases are quite worth it.
Silk pillowcases provide a smooth surface for your skin as you sleep. This is contrary to the cotton pillowcases that can tug at your face, scrunching the collagen and causing sleep lines to appear on your face.
Some dermatologists also suggest that silk pillowcases reduce wrinkles and fights frizz.
Silk pillowcases is significantly better than cotton pillowcases. Silk is much cleaner and smoother on your skin as your sleep. Other than being gentler on the skin, it also helps minimize acne or sensitive skin, unlike rough cotton pillowcase.
Silk pillowcases absorb less of the moisture and dirt and thus may be a better choice for people with acne.
Those are the cons of silk pillowcases. What disadvantage have you experienced that I did not identify here?