Buying guide

The Complete Guide to Choosing a Silk Pillowcase

A silk pillowcase is something you’ll use every night, so it’s worth choosing well. This guide covers what matters most: silk quality, size, closure and care.

Silk quality | Size | Closure | Care | FAQ | Shop

Woman resting on a pink LS Silk mulberry silk pillowcase

What to Look for in a Silk Pillowcase

Four things tell you most about a silk pillowcase’s quality.

What to check when buying a silk pillowcase, with the LS Silk specification
Consideration What to check Why it matters LS Silk pillowcases
Fibre A label that says 100% silk “Satin” and “silky” describe a weave or finish, not the fibre 100% mulberry silk
Fabric weight The momme weight Heavier silk has a fuller, more substantial feel 22 momme
Silk grade The grade of the silk Weight alone doesn’t tell you about fibre quality 6A (a trade grade)
Construction Silk on both sides, neat seams Some pillowcases use silk on the front only Silk on both sides

Every LS Silk pillowcase is sold singly and arrives individually boxed.

Understanding Momme: What Does 22 Momme Mean?

Momme (pronounced “mo-mee”) is the traditional measure of silk fabric weight.

Close-up of ivory mulberry silk showing its soft natural lustre
  1. What momme measures

    One momme is about 4.3 grams per square metre. Silk pillowcases are often made in around 16 to 22 momme: lighter silk feels airy and fluid, heavier silk fuller and more substantial.

  2. Why we use 22 momme

    We chose 22-momme mulberry silk for its substance and smooth drape. Weight is only part of the story, though: fibre quality, weaving and finishing matter too.

  3. About 6A and OEKO-TEX®

    6A is a quality grade used in the silk trade, not an independent certification. Our pillowcases are made from silk certified to OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which means the silk has been tested for harmful substances.

Choosing the Right Pillowcase Size

Pillow sizes vary between brands, so the simplest way to choose is to measure your pillow and compare it with the dimensions below.

  • Pink mulberry silk pillowcase with envelope closure, NZ queen size – LS Silk NZ

    NZ Standard / Queen

    51 × 75 cm

    Our standard pillowcase size, available with a reinforced hidden zip or an envelope back.

    Shop NZ Standard / Queen 
  • Navy blue mulberry silk pillowcase with zip closure, king size – LS Silk NZ

    King

    51 × 90 cm

    A longer pillowcase for king-size pillows, available with a reinforced hidden zip.

    Shop King 

Envelope vs Zip Closure

Both styles use the same 22-momme mulberry silk. The difference is how the pillow goes in and how the back looks.

Pink silk pillowcase with its hidden zip partly open
  • Reinforced hidden zip

    The zip sits out of sight along one edge and keeps the pillow fully enclosed. NZ Standard / Queen and King.

  • Envelope back

    A folded opening at the back tucks the pillow in, with nothing to fasten. NZ Standard / Queen.

  • Which to choose?

    It comes down to preference: the zip if you like your pillow held firmly in place, the envelope for a simple, hardware-free finish.

How to Care for Your Silk Pillowcase

A little care keeps silk smooth and lustrous.

  • Wash gently

    Hand wash in cold water, or use a delicate cycle with a mesh laundry bag. Use a pH-neutral detergent for silk or delicates, and skip bleach and fabric softener.

  • Dry in the shade

    Press out excess water between two towels, then air dry out of direct sunlight.

  • No need to iron

    Creases usually relax after a night or two. If you’d like to iron, use the lowest (silk) setting with a cloth on top.

  • Wash about once a week

    As with any pillowcase, a weekly wash is a good routine.

Pillowcase Questions, Answered

What size silk pillowcase should I buy?

Measure your pillow and compare it with our two sizes: NZ Standard / Queen (51 × 75 cm) and King (51 × 90 cm). Size names vary between brands, so measurements are the more reliable guide.

If a size doesn’t suit, our Returns & Warranty policy accepts change-of-mind returns by post within 30 days of purchase, as long as the pillowcase is unworn, unwashed and undamaged, with all original tags attached. Shipping and handling fees aren’t refunded, and returned items are checked before a refund is approved.

Is a zip or envelope closure better?

Neither is better for everyone. The hidden zip keeps the pillow fully enclosed and comes in NZ Standard / Queen and King. The envelope back has nothing to fasten and comes in NZ Standard / Queen.

Are your pillowcases sold singly or in pairs?

Singly. Each price is for one pillowcase, and each one arrives individually boxed.

Is the silk on both sides?

Yes. LS Silk pillowcases are 100% mulberry silk on both sides.

What does 22 momme mean?

Momme measures silk fabric weight; one momme is about 4.3 grams per square metre. At 22 momme, our silk has a fuller, more substantial feel than lighter weights. More about momme.

How can I tell whether a pillowcase is real silk?

Check the fibre content: it should say 100% silk. If a label only says “satin” or “silky”, the fabric may be synthetic.

Is silk satin different from polyester satin?

Yes. Satin is a weave, not a fibre. Silk satin is woven from natural silk; polyester satin is synthetic, usually cheaper and easier to machine-wash, but less breathable. For a fuller comparison, see why silk is worth considering.

How should I wash it, and how often?

About once a week. Wash it in cold water, by hand or on a delicate cycle in a mesh laundry bag, with a pH-neutral detergent, and dry it out of direct sunlight. Our Silk Care Guide has the full instructions.

Shop Silk Pillowcases

What Customers Say About Our Pink Pillowcase

The reviews below are all for one product: our Pink Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, NZ Standard Size (Queen), Zip Closure.

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.8 / 5 from 3183 reviews.

Quality silk nightie, feels great so love wearing it. Prompt delivery even though rural.

Silk Moments Card

Love love this product so pleased with the quality of the silk I then bought a hair turban. Waiting patiently for the camisole in Champagne to come back into stock in my size Hopefully soon Great products Maura xx

100% Mulberry Silk Camisole - Shadow Grey

I have been wearing bias cut silk nighties for 10+ years all year round. Unfortunately my go to brand closed and this simple design has been very difficult to source, so I was delighted when I came across yours. The bias cut is so comfortable and easy to wear, it moves with me and the spaghetti straps keep me cool. There are other silk nighties around but they can be very costly, and for me the extra shaping and embellishments are unnecessary for an everyday item, especially if it adds to the overall price. An added bonus is that they are perfect for travel- they take up no space and wash and dry in a day! I also love the color! You may have just become my next go to brand, that I also recommend to my friends!

Bias-cut 100% Mulberry Silk Nightgown Spaghetti Strap Chemise Nightdress Everyday Slip - Navy Blue

I have been using eye masks for years and recently thought I had lost my usual one so I honestly only bought this silk one as a back up incase I couldn't find the other one. but this eye mask is even better than my old one! at first it was a bit hard to get used to using silk because my old one was made of some type of cheap fabric but once the silk warmed up I couldn't even feel it on my face. the elastic didnt hurt my ears and the fit was perfect for the size of my head. I didnt have to keep readjusting it in the middle of the night like I normally would with my old one. so I threw my old one out and recommended this one to a collegue who also struggles to sleep!

Silk Sleep Eye Mask - Black

I’ve been using the silk hair wrap for about a month now and I really love it! My hair feels noticeably softer and smoother when I wake up, and it’s become part of my bedtime routine. I was really impressed with the service and fast delivery. I ordered on Sunday and my package arrived on Tuesday, also loved the beautiful pink packaging.

Classic Double Layer Adjustable Women Mulberry Silk Hair Wrap Bonnet -Black

This exfoliating body glove is honestly a game changer! After soaking in warm water for a few minutes, I used the glove and was so surprised by how much it exfoliated. My skin felt so smooth afterwards, and I found it much more satisfying than other exfoliating products I’ve tried.

100% Silk Exfoliating Body Glove. TikTok Famous Silk Exfoliating Mitt NZ

Customer photo review of Silk-lined Essential Baseball Cap - Pink

Stays Secure: The adjustable strap/drawstring is a game changer it stays put all night without feeling too tight or leaving marks on your forehead. ​Hair Protection: The double lined silk keeps my hair moisturized, drastically reduces frizz and breakage, and preserves curls and styles until morning. ​Stunning Shade: The Viridian color is rich and looks just as luxurious in person as it does online. ​Roomy Size: The large size easily accommodates thick hair, long braids, or voluminous curls without squishing them.

Silk-lined Essential Baseball Cap - Pink

The scarf was beautiful and as expected. I bought it for a gift and the recipient loved it. The only disappointment was the packaging. The cardboard box was crushed and torn, which is not ideal when giving as a gift. This was no doubt due to rough handling by courier. Apart from that a lovely product.

Celadon Peony Pure Mulberry Silk Extra Large Long Scarf

I've been searching for some time for a proper silk pillowcase as I need to protect my skin post cancer treatments and these pillowcases are perfect. They're super soft, gentle, don't scratch or scrape my skin. I'm so grateful people make these wonderful items as otherwise my facial skin would be suffering severely.

Silver Mulberry Silk Pillowcase – NZ Standard Size (Queen), Envelope Closure