Do Silk Pillowcases Stay Cooler at Night? Here's the Truth

What Is a Cooling Silk Pillowcase?

If you've ever flipped your pillow to the cool side at 2 a.m., you already know the problem with most pillowcases — they trap heat.

A cooling silk pillowcase is made from natural silk fabric — usually mulberry silk — designed to help your body stay comfortable through the night.

Unlike cotton or synthetic satin pillowcases, silk doesn't hold heat and moisture against your face. Instead, it breathes, wicks sweat away, and keeps things smooth and cool from the moment you close your eyes.

Who Benefits Most from Sleeping on Silk?

Silk pillowcases tend to make the biggest difference for:

• Hot sleepers who overheat through the night

• People who experience night sweats

• Anyone with sensitive skin, rosacea, or skin irritation

• People dealing with frizzy hair, hair breakage, or split ends

• Those who want to protect their skin and hair health during sleep

The benefits go beyond just cooling — silk supports better skin and hair while you get your beauty sleep. But cooling is a great place to start.

What Is a Cooling Silk Pillowcase? Mulberry Silk Explained

Mulberry silk is the gold standard when it comes to silk fabric — and it's what makes a truly high-quality cooling silk pillowcase work.

Where Mulberry Silk Comes From

Mulberry silk comes from silkworms that feed only on mulberry leaves. That controlled diet produces long, uniform fibers spun from silkworm cocoons. Those fibers are woven into a fabric that's incredibly smooth, strong, and naturally temperature regulating.

Weave Characteristics That Make It Cool

The tight, smooth weave of mulberry silk creates a surface with low friction and excellent airflow. Unlike cotton or synthetic fibers, it doesn't bunch up or cling as you move. Air passes through freely, so heat can escape rather than build up between your face and your pillow.

Cooling Properties at a Glance

• Breathable natural fiber construction

• Smooth texture that doesn't trap sweat

• Temperature-regulating surface that adapts to your body

• Moisture-wicking to keep skin hydrated without dampness

Cooling Properties and Hot Sleepers

So do silk pillowcases actually keep you cool? Yes — here's exactly how.

Breathability's Role in Cooling Properties

Silk is a natural fiber, which means it breathes the way synthetic materials simply can't. Air flows through the fabric freely, allowing the heat your body generates to escape rather than build up. It's the opposite of what happens with polyester satin pillowcases, which trap heat against your skin.

The Moisture-Wicking Role

Silk wicks moisture away from your skin rather than absorbing it. That's key for hot sleepers and people who sleep hot in general. When sweat doesn't sit on your skin, your sleep surface stays cooler and more comfortable — night long.

Impact on Night Sweats

For people dealing with night sweats, the combination of breathability and moisture wicking makes a meaningful difference. Silk helps regulate the microclimate around your face and neck so temperature spikes don't spiral into uncomfortable, sleep-disrupting sweat sessions.

Why Hot Sleepers Love Cooling Silk

Cooling silk pillowcases have become a go-to recommendation for hot sleepers specifically because silk hits on all three cooling factors: breathability, moisture wicking, and temperature regulation — without any synthetic chemicals or cooling gels. It just works, naturally.

Customer Georgian Steele from Clearwater, FL says: "Just the fact that it's so comfortable, and then on top of that, it actually keeps me really cool throughout the night. This pillowcase has SAVED my life!"

Night Sweats and the "Cool Side" Problem

Flipping your pillow to the cool side feels like relief — but it's a temporary fix.

Most pillowcases absorb body heat and warm up quickly. By the time you flip, you've got a few minutes of relief before the other side catches up. Both sides eventually feel the same.

Fabrics That Stay Cool Without the Flip

Silk's breathability means it doesn't absorb and hold heat the way cotton does. Because air keeps moving through the fabric, the surface maintains a more consistently cool temperature through the night. You're less likely to hit that uncomfortable tipping point in the first place.

Satin pillowcases made from polyester don't offer the same benefit — they may feel cool briefly, but synthetic fibers trap heat over time.

Tips for Heavy Night-Sweat Sleepers

• Keep your bedroom between 60–67°F for optimal sleep temperature

• Wash your silk pillowcase at least once a week to maintain breathability

• Pair it with natural fiber sheets — linen or cotton percale both work well

• For severe night sweats, consult your doctor — a hormonal or medical cause may be at play

Cooling Silk Pillowcases for Menopause and Hot Flashes

If you're going through menopause, a cooling silk pillowcase can be a genuinely helpful addition to your sleep routine.

Hot flashes and night sweats are among the most sleep-disrupting symptoms of menopause — and they're exactly what silk is built to help manage. Silk's breathable, moisture-wicking surface helps regulate body temperature throughout the night, so sudden heat spikes don't have as far to go before your sleep surface catches up.

Unlike cotton pillowcases, which absorb sweat and hold heat, silk stays drier and cooler through each episode. And because silk is also gentle on skin and hair, it supports the skin health changes that often come with hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause.

Customers consistently highlight the cooling effect as one of Blissy's standout benefits — "Skin, hair, coolness — they're all advantages of having a Blissy pillowcase" — and for women managing hot flashes, that cooling effect is more than a luxury. It's functional.

Comparing With Other Materials

How does a cooling silk pillowcase actually stack up? Here's an honest look.

Silk vs. Cotton Pillowcases

Cotton is the default for most people — and it's breathable in a lightweight weave. But it absorbs moisture heavily, which means it pulls hydration from your skin and hair, and gets warm and damp as the night goes on. Silk pillowcases stay drier and smoother.

Silk vs. Synthetic Satin Pillowcases

Silk and satin pillowcases often get confused because they look similar and both have a smooth surface. But they're very different materials.

Satin pillowcases made from polyester use synthetic fibers that trap heat and don't breathe — the opposite of what hot sleepers need. They offer some friction reduction compared to cotton, but they can't match silk's cooling properties.

Durability vs. Polyester Options

Polyester pillowcases typically need replacing every 2–3 years. A high-quality mulberry silk pillowcase — cared for properly — can last up to 10 years. That higher price point looks a lot more reasonable when you spread it out over a decade.

Price vs. Performance

Silk is a big investment upfront. But when you factor in its cooling effect, hair benefits, skin benefits, and durability, it's hard to beat the value. It's one product that genuinely does multiple things well.

Product Comparison Table

Choosing the Right Mulberry Silk Pillowcase

Not all silk pillowcases deliver the same cooling effect — here's what to look for.

Momme Range for Durability

Momme (mm) is the weight measure for silk — like thread count, but actually meaningful. 22 momme is the sweet spot for pillowcases: durable enough to hold up after multiple washes, breathable enough to deliver real cooling. The Blissy silk pillowcase is 22 momme, which is why it keeps its feel wash after wash.

As a general rule, a higher momme count means a thicker, more substantial fabric — one that feels more luxurious and holds up longer with regular washing. Anything below 19 momme tends to feel thin and wear out quickly. At 22 momme, you get the right balance of durability, softness, and breathability without the fabric becoming too heavy to breathe well.

Silk Grade and Weave

Look for 6A grade mulberry silk — the highest quality available, with the longest, most uniform fibers. A charmeuse weave gives you that signature smooth surface on one side with a gentle drape that's ideal for pillowcases.

Closure and Sizing

A hidden zipper closure keeps the pillowcase secure without any rough hardware near your face or hair. Envelope closures work well too. Available in Standard, Queen, and King sizes — match to your pillow for a smooth, crease-free fit.

💡 The Blissy Silk Pillowcase is 100% 22-momme, 6A grade mulberry silk, OEKO-TEX® certified, and the only clinically-tested, dermatologist-approved silk pillowcase on the market. Featured in Vogue, Good Housekeeping, and named Oprah Daily's Best Silk Pillowcase.

Can Kids Benefit from a Cooling Silk Pillowcase?

Yes — and for many of the same reasons adults love them.

Kids can sleep hot too, and silk's breathable, temperature-regulating surface helps them stay comfortable through the night for a better sleep experience overall.

The hypoallergenic properties are a bonus for kids with sensitive skin, eczema, or dust mite allergies. And because silk is gentle on hair, it's great for preventing the tangles and bedhead that come with a full night of tossing and turning.

Blissy Junior is made from the same 100% 22-momme, 6A grade mulberry silk as the adult collection — just sized for smaller pillows, in fun patterns kids actually want to sleep on. It's a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award winner and a 2025 Parent's Picks Award winner across multiple categories.

Buying Checklist

Before you buy, run through this quick checklist:

• ☐ 100% mulberry silk — not a blend, not satin

• ☐ 22 momme weight — the ideal for durability and breathability

• ☐ 6A grade — the highest quality silk available

• ☐ OEKO-TEX® certified — safe for skin, no harmful chemicals

• ☐ Hidden zipper or envelope closure — no rough hardware

• ☐ Machine washable on gentle cycle — confirm care fits your routine

• ☐ Third-party clinical testing + dermatologist endorsement

• ☐ Trial period or guarantee — Blissy offers 60 nights risk-free

Care Instructions

Good news: caring for silk is simpler than most people expect.

Hand Washing

Hand washing in cold water is the gentlest method. Fill a basin with cold water and a small amount of silk-safe detergent. Gently swirl — never wring or scrub. Squeeze out excess water, then roll in a clean towel to absorb moisture before laying flat to dry.

Machine Washing

Machine washing on a gentle cycle in cold water works fine for most silk pillowcases, including Blissy. Always use a mesh laundry bag to protect the fabric. Use only a silk-safe, pH-neutral detergent — Blissy Wash is made specifically for this.

Drying

Line dry or lay flat away from direct sunlight. If you use a dryer, stick to low heat for no more than 20 minutes. Air drying is always the better option for preserving the fabric and its cooling properties long term.

Care Instructions: Stain Removal and Machine Tips

Stains happen — here's how to deal with them without damaging your pillowcase.

Oil-Based Stains (Skincare, Hair Products)

1. Blot immediately — don't rub

2. Sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch over the stain to absorb oil

3. Let sit for 15 minutes, then gently brush off

4. Apply a small drop of silk-safe detergent before washing

General Stain Tips

• Always use cold water — hot water sets stains and weakens silk fibers

• Never use bleach or stain removers with harsh enzymes

• Use a mesh laundry bag every single time you machine wash

• For stubborn stains, repeat the treatment — don't scrub harder

So, Are Cooling Silk Pillowcases Worth It?

If you sleep hot, deal with night sweats, or want to wake up with better skin and hair — yes, they're worth it.

Silk costs more than cotton or polyester. It needs a little more care. But it's one of the few products that genuinely delivers on multiple promises: cooler sleep, less frizzy hair, more hydrated skin, and a sleep experience that holds up wash after wash.

For hot sleepers especially, the cooling properties alone make it a worthy trade-off. And for anyone focused on hair health or sensitive skin, silk is hard to beat.

The Blissy Silk Pillowcase is 100% 22-momme, 6A grade mulberry silk — clinically tested, dermatologist-approved, OEKO-TEX® certified, and backed by over 230,000 five-star reviews. It's been featured in Good Housekeeping, Vogue, and Oprah Daily, and comes with a 60-night trial so you can test it risk-free.