Silk doesn't trap the heat underneath the duvet as cotton or synthetic materials might, which means you won't become too hot at night under a light silk duvet.
Instead of trapping heat, silk's natural fibers are naturally breathable. Silk acts like a ventilating system, letting out hot air and moisture and letting in fresh air. Silk doesn't cling to skin and absorbs excess moisture. Textiles like cotton and synthetic fabrics don't just trap heat; they trap moisture, too.
Silk Sheets Have Unrivalled Comfort
Silk is a luxurious, soft fabric that looks and feels fragile but is incredibly durable. Its temperature regulating properties has low heat conduction, helping you stay cool in warm weather and warming you up in cooler climates.
With the official summer months being on the horizon, it's a good time to switch out your spring bedding for a fully summer revamp ready for those warmer nights ahead. With linen being the staple of summer, there is also another slice of luxury that is perfect for those summer evenings and that is silk.
Silk Regulates Body Temperature Better than Cotton
This is why silk sheets are great for staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When cotton sheets get damp, they absorb moisture and lose their ability to insulate. This makes silk a wonderful option for anyone experiencing hot flashes or night sweats.
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.
After testing dozens and dozens of sets in our ongoing quest for the best sheets, we've found that a set in linen or percale cotton (which is more breathable than sateen) is a great way to round out your bedding collection and extend the life of your everyday sheets by giving them the summer off.
DON'T put your silk items in the dryer if you can help it. Heat can damage delicate silk fibers. If dryer is absolutely necessary use only 'air' setting for 15 minutes or less with NO fabric sheets or dryer balls. Remove sheets and pillowcases before completely dry.
The very nature of the silk fabric is that it can cling to your skin, which can lead to uncomfortable nights if you're already feeling overheated. So even though they allow for enough airflow at night, they may still be uncomfortable if you're already running hot.
Both silk and satin sheets can help to keep you cool in the summer. However, silk sheets may be the better choice if you live in a warm climate, as they are more breathable. Satin sheets may be the better choice if you live in a cold climate, as they will help to trap your body heat and keep you warm.
That said, it's worth noting that silk isn't as absorbent as its cotton or linen contemporaries and choosing to wear a silk slip or skirt may result in sweat stains on a very humid day.
As such, silk is prone to fading when exposed to direct sunlight, either indoors or outside. Even this best silk bedding will fade if left in direct sunlight. This is why we recommend always hanging your silk to dry away from the sun. Happily, your silk sheets should air dry very quickly, even indoors.
Silk is Breathable
Another benefit of sleeping in silk, making it the ultimate choice for your summer sleepwear, is the fact that silk is one of the most breathable materials. It'll quickly absorb any moisture but it won't dry your skin out like cotton might.
Moisture wicking: Alongside being an excellent temperature regulator, silk also has great moisture wicking properties, designed to keep you dry on even the warmest evenings; making it a great choice if you're prone to night sweats!
When comparing bamboo lyocell Vs silk, the majority of the main points of bamboo Vs silk can also be applied. While both are silky smooth – bamboo will last longer, get softer with time, wash well and provide hypoallergenic, antibacterial properties while you sleep.
Washing on the wrong cycle.
Hot water can also damage silk. Do this instead: Wash silk on a silk or delicate cycle and cool water. Here are some guidelines for washing silk sheets; you can machine wash in cool to lukewarm water.
Cotton is quite a coarse material that can be rough against your skin. Alternatively, silk reduces friction against your skin to reduce sleep lines and wrinkles. Silk also hydrates your skin by retaining the moisture on your face.
Silk sheets are breathable and regulate body temperature
This is due to the unique structure of silk fiber, which has a hollow center. This means silk fabric is comfortable in warm and cold weather alike. Unlike a cotton sheet, which absorbs moisture, silk wicks away moisture to keep you cool and dry.
As mentioned earlier, silk is a temperature regulator so this will already help to drastically reduce night sweats. Silk is not a very absorbent material, but the fibres evaporate moisture quickly.
All silk items should be washed in mesh laundry bags using a gentle luxury silk detergent (preferably one formulated for silk). Wash your silk sheets with the same frequency as you would any other type of sheet or bedding or whenever it is dirty or stained.
Do not tumble dry. Silk is very delicate and the high temperatures of the tumble dryer can shrink or damage your silks. Use a detergent for delicates. Studio by Tide Delicates Liquid Laundry Detergent has been specifically designed to take care of silk.
Silk pillowcases, like your other bed linens, come into direct contact with your skin every night, so it's important to wash them regularly — typically about every seven to ten days. To learn more about washing bed linens, check out this guide to washing and properly caring for bedding.
Bedding made from bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, or even cotton with a percale finish has natural cooling properties that will help hot sleepers stay cool and everyone else sleep well during hot weather. Just as you may flip your pillow to the fresh side, these cooling bed sheets will feel crisp to the touch.
Linen and cotton are both ideal fabrics for sleeping in the heat. They are woven from natural fibers (cotton is cotton, while linen is woven from the flax plant) that breathe remarkably well, which is key for staying cool. In the summer you may want a percale weave.
For people who get hot during sleep, choosing sheets made of bamboo, cotton, or linen — breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body and help maintain a comfortable temperature — can help.