You may have heard of regular bed sheets being described as silky smooth or silky soft. So you can imagine how the silk sheets themselves feel, considering they are the standard every other bed linen is held up against.  

Silk sheets are some of the most expensive bed sheets you can buy with a single set typically costing hundreds of dollars. If you are thinking about getting silk sheets for your bed, this guide is for you. 

We explain how silk bed sheets are made, why the heck they are so expensive and what’s so good about them (hint: a lot). If you’ve also considered buying linen sheets (also luxury natural sheets), we have a complete guide to linen bed sheets. 

How Are Silk Sheets Made (and Why Are They So Expensive?)

Silk is made from the cocoons of silkworms. These are moth caterpillars that are domesticated specifically for this job. They make cocoons out of a single continuous silk thread. The cocoons are then unraveled by hand or machine. Here’s an interesting video showing the process.

The reason why silk sheets are pricey is, one, they are natural. Bedding made from natural fibers tends to be more expensive compared to synthetic polyester, nylon or microfiber bedding. That’s why cotton, bamboo, Tencel (Eucalyptus), silk and linen bed sheets are pricier. 

Secondly, making silk sheets is a labor-intensive process particularly in the early stages. The cocoons have to be harvested by hand then the threads carefully unraveled from each cocoon. The price of silk bedding reflects how much labor goes into making them.

Of course, there are also the market forces. Many people are willing to pay more for silk bedding because of its superior qualities. It's considered luxury bedding, so it will definitely cost more.  

Are Silk Sheets Any Good? Pros of Silk Bedding

Let’s get one thing out of the way. Many of the weirdly inexpensive silk sheets you’ll come across are not actually silk. They are synthetic satin sheets that are marketed as being silk-like. But they are nowhere near as good as silk. They don't absorb sweat, they get too hot, they can develop odors and they are not, well, silky soft on the skin. 

Silk, 100% natural silk, is one of the best materials you can sleep on. The first thing you will notice is how smooth and soft it is. Notably, it’s not annoyingly slippery like synthetic satin sheets.  

This soft texture makes silk sheets particularly ideal for those with sensitive skin and babies. Silk pillowcases are also great for your hair. They produce way less friction, which prevents frizzy and damaged hair. 

Here are other benefits of silk sheets. 

• Silk sheets offer excellent temperature regulation. They are highly breathable and cool when it's hot, and they insulate you when it’s cold. If you are a hot sleeper or get hot flashes, silk sheets are a great choice. 
• Silk is naturally hydrophobic, meaning it repels moisture. When sweat comes into contact with it, it beads on the surface and dries quickly. It does not absorb into the fibers. This makes silk sheets excellent at wicking away sweat while staying dry (no chance for odors, mold, mildew or bacteria to develop). If you get lots of night sweats, we highly recommend silk sheets. 
• Because it stays dry, silk is unfriendly to bacteria, mold, fungi and other pathogens that love damp and warm environments. So silk sheets are great for your heal and bed hygiene. 
• Silk sheets are non-irritating and hypoallergenic, making them suitable for sensitive skin and conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and dry skin. 
• Silk sheets are strong and durable. With good care, a good quality set of Mulberry silk sheets can last you well over 5 years, and in some cases even 10 years. 

Downsides of Silk Sheets 

There are two main downsides of silk sheets you need to know before you order a set. One, they are pricey. There are different qualities and types of silk sheets that are priced differently (more on that below) but natural silk sheets are generally pricey. 

If you are looking for budget natural bed sheets, we recommend alternatives like cotton, bamboo and Tencel. 

Secondly, silk sheets require delicate care. You’ll need special detergent and you cannot put them in the dryer. That said, they are not tiresome to maintain so don’t let that deter you. 

Not All Silk Sheets are The Same: How to Pick The Best Silk Bed Sheets

Prices for silk sheets vary widely from $200 to $500 or more for a set. The reason for this is that the quality of natural silk sheets varies. The quality and type of silk is determined by various factors. 

• Type of silk — Mulberry silk is the highest quality kind of silk. It is made from cocoons that are made by caterpillars that are fed white mulberry leaves. Other types of silk like Tussah, Ahimsa and Muga are good but don't match the luxury of Mulberry silk sheets. 
• Grade — Silk can be grade A, B or C with A being the highest grade. Within these grades, there are further categories like 2A, 3A etc. The highest grade of silk is 6A. This is what you’ll find on most high-end silk sheets and bedding.  
• Silk weight or Momme — You can think of momme as thread count, but for silk. The higher the momme weight, the more silk has been used. 19 momme silk will be lighter and cheaper compared to 25 or 30 momme silk. The higher the momme, the softer and longer lasting the silk is. The best silk sheets are between 22 and 30 momme. Less than 22 momme is usually reserved for pillowcases
• Weave — Silk is woven in many styles but the most common one in bedding is the charmeuse. It’s soft, airy and features a smooth shiny surface on one side and a matte finish on the other. 

So when you go to shop for silk sheets, look for grade 6A 100% mulberry silk that is 22-30 momme and with a Charmeuse weave.