The fabric is smooth, silky, and very elegant and luxurious. Your skin won't stick to satin sheets as it would on cotton. It's hypoallergenic, which also means it's more hygienic. It's cooling, which makes it perfect for hot summer nights.
Satin sheets are cooler, and since they don't trap your body moisture, they do not get clammy or stick to the skin, thus allowing you to get better rest. Lastly, satin sheets do not retain dust, mites, or bacteria, which improves the quality of your sleep, as well as the air you breathe during the night.
Some bed sheets may cause a person to overheat if the fabric is non-breathable and heavy. Some synthetic materials may not suit someone experiencing night sweats, along with satin and some cotton blends, as they can retain heat quite effectively.
If you're looking for a luxurious and comfortable way to sleep, then silk bed sheets may be the right choice for you. While if you're looking for a bed sheet that will help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, then satin bed sheets may be the better choice.
The Pros and Cons of Satin
Satin is a long-staple material that's both luxurious to the touch and durable, but it does have disadvantages, including reduced breathability and challenging wash and dry instructions.
There are some fabrics that are seasonal, and if you want to be comfortable year-round, you need to have sheets for both summer and winter. There are a lot of good sheets for winter to keep you warm, but when looking for something that will keep you cool during those warm summer nights, satin is the way to go.
In all its shiny glory, satin pillowcases miss out on the temperature-regulating properties that can help improve sleep comfort. To be fair, polyester satin is cool when it's cold. But when it's hot, it's scorching. Given its non-breathable fabric and dense weaving, all the moisture only gets trapped inside.
Satin pillowcases offer a variety of potential benefits. The glossy, smooth texture of the weave allows the head to move easily, reducing the friction that could otherwise cause wrinkles, hair frizzing, and breakage. The material is also less absorbent, which may promote hydrated skin while decreasing the risk of acne.
Several of the sleep experts I spoke to suggested linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that since linen is made of a looser weave than, say, a cotton sheet with a high thread count, it traps less heat.
Linen and cotton are both great options for hot, sweaty sleepers. Both fabrics are breathable (and therefore, cooling). "Fabrics like bamboo are breathable and cool, even in warmer seasons," Holliday-Bell explains.
What type of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
The Disadvantages of Satin
Satin can be difficult to sew and work with because of its shiny, slippery texture. Satin can also snag, this because of the way the threads interlace, creating those longer runs in one direction.
According to Dr. Harris and Dr. Breus, the best materials for pajamas to keep you cool are breathable fabrics, like cotton and linen, and temperature-regulating and plant-derived viscose fabrics like bamboo, Tencel, and modal.
Eucalyptus silk one of the best fabrics for night sweats, making it the perfect pick. Not only is it great at keeping you comfortable in any temperature, but it's also made with cool-to-touch technology that stays fresher for longer and keeps you snug and cosy without overheating.
When buying pajamas for night sweats, the material they're made from is key. Fabrics such as linen, silk, bamboo, modal, and lyocell are great at helping regulate body temperature. You should also look out for sweat-wicking fabrics like rayon that help to absorb moisture and keep your body feeling dry if you do sweat.
Satin is a non-breathable fabric, which means it does not allow air to circulate freely. This lack of ventilation can cause some people to sweat more than usual.
Silk (and cotton) are highly absorbent, which can rob hair and skin of their natural oils. Satin feels cool to the touch, whereas silk warms up with body heat. For those who prefer to sleep on a cool surface, satin is the better choice. Satin is easy to launder and will look beautiful for years.
Satin sheets made from silk tend to be more breathable and moisture-wicking, which can help prevent excessive sweating. On the other hand, satin sheets made with synthetic materials like polyester and nylon may not be as breathable, which can result in more sweating.
However, due to the nature of silk being a very long and natural fiber, it is far more resistant to pilling when compared to a polyester satin weave, for example. Synthetic fibers will break, tangle those broken ends, and pill everywhere.
Choose a detergent for delicate fabrics to wash silk and satin sheets. A gentle setting in cold water works best. Take care not to use any harsh chemicals that can damage the delicate fabric such as bleach, or fabric softener. Silk and satin sheets should not be put in the dryer, as heat may cause damage to them.
Oftentimes, silk and satin sheets slip off the bed because they don't create enough friction. It's important to understand the reason why your sheets fly off the bed before you search for a solution.