Standard Housewife Pillowcases

A housewife pillowcase has a simple sewn edge with an internal flap that holds the pillow in place, it fits closely around the pillow with no visible border. An Oxford pillowcase has a wide, flat fabric border (usually 5–10 cm) stitched around all four sides, which creates a more decorative, tailored appearance. Both fit the same size pillow, the Oxford border sits outside the pillow, not over it. Housewife pillowcases suit a clean, minimal look and are the most practical for everyday use. Oxford pillowcases add a more finished, structured appearance and are often used in hotels and styled bedrooms.

A standard UK pillow measures approximately 48 × 74 cm (sometimes listed as 50 × 75 cm), and both housewife and Oxford pillowcases are made to fit this size. You do not need to match the exact centimetre — Belledorm's standard pillowcases are cut to accommodate standard UK pillows comfortably. If you have square continental pillows (65 × 65 cm) or bolster pillows, you will need the corresponding pillowcase shape, as standard pillowcases will not fit. Belledorm stocks pillowcases for all four pillow shapes: standard housewife, standard Oxford, continental square, and bolster.

Belledorm pillowcases are available across the same fabric ranges as the sheets and duvet covers, so you can coordinate your full bedding set. Fabrics include 200 thread count polycotton percale, 200 thread count cotton, Egyptian cotton at 200, 400, 600, 1000, and 1200 thread count, 450 thread count Pima cotton, bamboo, brushed cotton, jersey cotton, pure linen, and Mulberry silk. Each fabric has a different feel, percale is crisp and cool, sateen is smooth and silky, brushed cotton is warm and soft, and silk is naturally temperature-regulating and gentle on hair and skin. The fabric you choose for your pillowcase affects how the pillow feels against your face and neck.

A pillow protector is recommended as an additional layer between the pillow and the pillowcase. It acts as a barrier against sweat, body oils, dust mites, and allergens, keeping the pillow itself cleaner and extending its useful life. A pillowcase is designed for comfort and aesthetics, it is the layer your skin rests against. A protector is designed for hygiene and protection, it zips around the pillow underneath the pillowcase. Using both means you can wash the pillowcase weekly and the protector monthly, while the pillow itself only needs occasional washing or professional cleaning depending on the filling.

Most pillow manufacturers and sleep experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years. Over time, pillows lose their loft and support as the filling compresses, which can lead to poor neck alignment and disrupted sleep. They also accumulate dust mites, skin cells, and moisture, even with regular pillowcase and protector use. A simple test is to fold the pillow in half: if it does not spring back to its original shape, it has lost its support and needs replacing. Natural-filled pillows (wool, silk) tend to maintain their structure slightly longer than synthetic microfibre, but all fillings deteriorate with nightly use over time.

Yes. While most Belledorm duvet cover sets include matching pillowcases (one with a single set, two with double and above), you can also buy pillowcases separately in pairs or multipacks across all fabric ranges and colourways. This is useful if you use more pillows than the set provides, want to mix housewife and Oxford styles on the same bed, or need to replace worn pillowcases without buying a new duvet cover. Belledorm's pillowcases are dyed to match the corresponding duvet covers and fitted sheets, so colours coordinate accurately across the full range.

A continental square pillowcase fits a square-shaped pillow measuring 65 × 65 cm, which is the standard continental European pillow size. Square pillows are typically used for layering behind standard pillows to create a styled, stacked look, or as back support when sitting up in bed. They are larger than standard UK pillows and require their own dedicated pillowcase, a standard housewife or Oxford pillowcase will not fit. Belledorm's continental square pillowcases are available across multiple fabric ranges, so you can coordinate them with your existing sheets and duvet cover.

Mulberry silk is the gentlest pillowcase fabric for both skin and hair. Silk creates less friction than cotton or polycotton, which means less pulling on hair overnight, reducing frizz, breakage, and tangling, and less creasing against facial skin. Silk is also naturally temperature-regulating and hypoallergenic. If silk is outside your budget, a high thread count cotton sateen pillowcase (400TC or above) provides a smoother surface than percale, with less friction than a standard cotton weave. Bamboo pillowcases are another option, bamboo fabric is naturally soft, moisture-wicking, and gentle on skin.

Most Belledorm pillowcases can be machine washed at 40°C on a standard cycle. Turn them inside out before washing to protect any embroidery, printed detail, or the outer surface of the fabric. Use a mild detergent and avoid bleach, which can weaken fibres and affect colour over time. Tumble dry on a low to medium setting or line dry. Higher thread count cotton and Egyptian cotton pillowcases benefit from being removed from the dryer slightly damp and smoothed flat to reduce creasing. Silk pillowcases should be hand washed or machine washed on a delicate cycle at 30°C, always check the care label for your specific fabric.