Mulberry Silk Pillowcases

A housewife pillowcase has a plain sewn edge that fits flush around the pillow, giving a neat, understated look. An Oxford pillowcase features a flat fabric border, typically 5 - 8cm wide that frames the pillow and adds a more formal, considered finish to the bed. Both styles are available across Belledorm's range in the same fabric and thread count options, so the choice comes down to personal preference and the look you want to create.

For the softest feel against skin, choose a pillowcase with a thread count of 400 or above in a sateen weave. Sateen-woven cotton has a higher proportion of yarn on the surface, which gives it a smooth, close finish that reduces friction. Belledorm's Egyptian Cotton 600TC and 1000TC housewife and Oxford pillowcases offer this silky feel, making them a good choice for those who sleep on their side or find rougher fabrics disruptive through the night.

Egyptian cotton pillowcases are made from long-staple cotton fibres, which are longer than those used in standard cotton. Longer fibres mean fewer joins in the yarn, a smoother surface, and a fabric that holds its softness wash after wash rather than pilling over time. For pillowcases in particular, where the fabric is in direct contact with skin for hours at a time, this smoothness makes a noticeable difference to comfort and temperature regulation through the night.

A standard UK housewife pillowcase measures approximately 50cm x 75cm, designed to fit a standard UK pillow. Oxford pillowcases are the same internal size but include an additional fabric border of around 5–8cm. Continental square pillowcases measure approximately 65cm x 65cm and are designed for square European pillows. Belledorm also stocks bolster and V-shape pillowcases for orthopaedic and support pillows. Always check the individual product listing for exact dimensions.

For hot sleepers, a percale-woven cotton or bamboo-blend pillowcase tends to perform better than sateen. Percale has a plain, one-over-one-under weave that creates a crisper, more breathable fabric with a cooler feel against skin. Belledorm's 200TC cotton percale pillowcases offer this lightweight breathability at an accessible price point. Bamboo-blend options also regulate temperature well, as the bamboo fibre naturally wicks moisture away from the skin during the night.

Yes. Belledorm's pillowcases are available across the same fabric and colour ranges as their fitted sheets, flat sheets, and duvet covers, making it straightforward to create a coordinated bed. Most ranges, including the Egyptian cotton 400TC and 600TC sateen, the 200TC polycotton percale, and the Hotel Suite 540TC satin stripe, offer both housewife and Oxford pillowcases alongside matching sheet sets. The bundle options include two pillowcases as standard.

Cotton pillowcases should be washed at 40°C on a normal cotton cycle and removed from the machine promptly to reduce creasing. Tumble dry on a low heat or line dry away from direct sunlight, which can weaken fibres over time. Avoid fabric softener on high thread count sateen pillowcases, it can coat the fibres and reduce their natural softness. With each wash, quality cotton sateen typically becomes softer rather than rougher, particularly after the first few washes.

A continental square pillowcase is designed to fit a European-style square pillow, which measures approximately 65cm x 65cm. These larger pillows are commonly used as back support against a headboard or as a layered styling element alongside standard pillows on the bed. Belledorm's continental square pillowcases are available in cotton sateen and polycotton options, offering the same fabric quality as the standard range in a size suited to square European pillows.

Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk bedding is made from Grade 6A silk - the highest grade available globally, produced by silkworms fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves, creating the longest, most uniform, and purest silk filaments in existence.

Grade 6A classification indicates near-zero impurities, maximum fibre length, and exceptional tensile strength, qualities that produce the characteristic lustrous sheen and extraordinary softness Mulberry silk is renowned for. Compared to cheaper wild or tussah silk, Mulberry silk filaments are significantly more consistent in diameter, resulting in a smoother, more refined surface against skin. At 16 momme weight, the benchmark for quality bedding silk, Belledorm's range offers the ideal balance of durability, drape, and that unmistakable cool, weightless feel that makes silk genuinely unlike any other bedding fabric.

Yes - sleeping on Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk genuinely reduces skin friction and hair damage compared to cotton, with measurable cosmetic benefits supported by the unique properties of silk protein (sericin).

Unlike cotton, which creates friction that tugs on facial skin and hair cuticles during sleep, silk's smooth surface glides without resistance, reducing the mechanical stress that contributes to sleep lines, skin stretching, and hair breakage overnight. Silk is also significantly less absorbent than cotton, meaning it draws less moisture away from skin and hair, helping maintain natural hydration levels and leaving hair lustrous rather than dry and frizzy. For those using overnight skincare, silk preserves product on skin rather than absorbing it into the fabric. These aren't marketing claims, they're the direct result of silk's unique fibre structure.

Yes, Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and one of the most skin-compatible sleep surfaces available, particularly beneficial for eczema, allergies, and asthma sufferers.

Silk protein (sericin) has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that actively resist dust mite colonisation - a primary trigger for allergic rhinitis and asthma, without any chemical treatment. The smooth, tightly woven surface of 16 momme silk leaves no rough fibres to irritate sensitive skin, and silk's low absorbency keeps the sleep environment drier, reducing the conditions that allow allergens to thrive. Unlike synthetic hypoallergenic claims that rely on chemical coatings, silk's hypoallergenic properties are intrinsic to the fibre itself, permanent and wash-stable. For eczema sufferers in particular, the combination of temperature regulation and low friction makes silk a consistently recommended bedding choice.

Yes, Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk is a genuinely all-seasons bedding fabric, naturally temperature-regulating in a way that synthetic fabrics cannot replicate.

Silk protein has a unique thermoregulatory property: it responds to your body temperature rather than the ambient room temperature. In warm conditions, silk's breathable open weave allows heat to dissipate and moisture to evaporate, keeping you noticeably cooler than cotton sateen or high thread count percale. In cooler conditions, the same silk fibres trap a thin insulating layer of warm air close to the body. This dual function, cool when warm, warm when cool, is why silk has been used for year-round bedding across climates for centuries. Belledorm's 16 momme weight is specifically chosen for bedding because it's substantial enough to provide winter warmth whilst remaining cool and lightweight in summer.

Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk requires careful hand washing, it cannot be machine washed, tumble dried, dry cleaned, or bleached, but with correct care it will last for many years without losing its quality.

Washing:

• Hand wash only in cool water (30°C maximum)
• Use a specialist silk detergent or very mild liquid soap - never biological detergents
• Gently agitate; do not wring, twist, or scrub
• Rinse thoroughly in cool water until soap-free

Drying:

• Do not tumble dry - heat damages silk fibres permanently
• Roll gently in a clean towel to remove excess water
• Dry flat or hang away from direct sunlight and heat

Ironing:

• Iron on the lowest heat setting whilst slightly damp
• Iron on the reverse side only
• Never use steam directly on silk

Frequency: Silk's natural antibacterial properties mean it needs washing less frequently than cotton - every 2-3 weeks is typically sufficient for pillowcases.

Momme (mm) is the standard measure of silk fabric weight and density - equivalent to thread count in cotton - with higher momme indicating heavier, more durable, and more luxurious silk. Belledorm's 16 momme is the recognised benchmark for quality bedding silk.

The momme scale works as follows: 6-9mm is very lightweight (scarves, lingerie); 12-14mm is mid-weight (light bedding, nightwear); 16mm is the bedding sweet spot - substantial enough to be durable and warm, light enough to drape beautifully and feel weightless; 19-25mm is heavyweight (upholstery, thick bedding). Silk below 12 momme is too delicate for regular bedding use and will degrade quickly with washing. At 16 momme combined with Grade 6A classification and 450 thread count, Belledorm's Mulberry Silk sits firmly in the premium bedding tier - not the ultra-luxury 22mm+ range, but the optimal weight for everyday luxury sleep use.

Yes - Belledorm's 100% Mulberry Silk bedding is a genuine long-term investment that, with correct care, will outlast multiple sets of cotton bedding whilst delivering nightly beauty and comfort benefits that cotton cannot provide.

Quality 16 momme Grade 6A Mulberry Silk, properly cared for, typically lasts 5-10 years without significant degradation in feel or appearance - considerably longer than most cotton bedding. The cost per use calculation changes significantly when amortised over that lifespan: a fitted sheet from £234.60 used nightly for 7 years equates to approximately 9p per night. Beyond longevity, silk delivers benefits with every use, reduced skin friction, hair protection, temperature regulation, and hypoallergenic properties, that no cotton sheet at any price point can replicate. For those who prioritise sleep quality and skin health, silk is consistently rated the most impactful bedding upgrade available.

Both the Belledorm Cocoonzzz (from £34.99) and the 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase (£60.00) are made from identical silk - 100% Mulberry Silk, Grade 6A, 16 momme - so the quality and sleep benefits are exactly the same. The differences are purely in design, colour range, and intended use.

Cocoonzzz Pillowcase (from £34.99):

• Wider colour and pattern range: Ivory, Dash, Leopard Pink, Marble Grey, Powder Pink, Platinum
• Designed as a beauty and gifting-focused product
• Pillowcase only - not part of a coordinated bedding set
• Available as a standalone beauty sleep upgrade

100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase (£60.00):

• Available in Ivory, Powder Pink, Platinum
• Designed to coordinate with the full Mulberry Silk bedding range (fitted sheet, flat sheet, duvet cover)
• The choice for those building a complete silk bedding set

Recommendation: If you want a silk pillowcase as a standalone beauty upgrade, the Cocoonzzz offers the same silk quality with more colour options at a lower price. If you're investing in the full silk bedding set, the 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase ensures a perfectly coordinated finish.