The Ultimate Guide to Buying Silk Bedding

Pure silk sheets are luxurious and a surefire way to get a great night's beauty sleep. Silk is super smooth and comfortable while being amazing for your hair, skin, health and quality of sleep (check out ‘Benefits to Sleeping on Silk Sheets' below).

But when shopping for real silk sheets, buyer beware! Shopping at a large online retailer like Amazon can be confusing. With so many choices, it's easy to get overwhelmed. For example, two silk sheet sets can have the same price but be vastly different in quality. Similarly, sheet sets may appear to be the same quality, but one is priced $100's of dollars higher than the other. Why are there such discrepancies? Let's take a look.

The fact is this: many variables go into making silk sheets. Most important among these are the weight and quality of the silk. Being able to read and parse out a product description is an essential skill when you're shopping for silk bedding. You need to understand what a manufacturer says -- and does NOT say -- about their silk sheets to get the best value.

The silk experts at Mulberry Park Silks are here to help. We've assembled a checklist of ten things to think about when shopping for silk sheets. We'll teach you what to look for and how to read a product listing like a pro. Armed with this new knowledge, you'll be able to shop smarter and get the best quality and value silk sheets for your money.

1. How-To Make Sure You're Buying Real Silk Bed Sheets (and not fake silk)

Purchase only real silk sheets labeled 100 percent pure mulberry silk. When you search "mulberry silk sheets" on Amazon, your results will include silk, satin, polyester, rayon, and even cotton sheets. To filter out everything but silk, scroll down the left side of the page and, under 'Bedding Sheet Material' check the box for ‘Silk" This will eliminate all the non-silk sheets, including satin, which is almost always displayed in the ''silk sheets" search results.

A good rule of thumb is to check the price; if it's too good to be true (think, $100 or less for a set of sheets) the material is not pure, high-quality silk fabric, it is another material like bamboo or satin. Silk is an all-natural fiber and will be more expensive than man-made fabrics like satin and polyester (which is derived from petroleum). Don't settle for anything less than 100 percent natural silk sheets. All 100% silk sheets will be prominently labeled as such. If it's not labeled, it's not pure silk.

2. How-To Ensure Your Silk Sheets are a High Quality (Grade 6A) of Mulberry Silk

We recommend buying sheets made of pure mulberry silk of the highest grade. Mulberry silk threads are smoother, stronger, and more uniformly colored than any other variety of silk fiber. Silk quality is also graded A, B, or C, with Grade A being the best. Grade A silk is the highest quality long-strand silk from cocoons that are pearly white in color. It is very pure and can be unraveled to great lengths without breaking. Silk grades are also further differentiated by number; Grade A silk comes in A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, and 6A, with 6A being the highest and finest quality silk. For any given type of silk, Grade 6A is the finest quality available in the marketplace. This means that the best silk bed sheets are made from Grade 6A silk will cost more because of the better quality silk used those made from Grade 5A silk.

At Mulberry Park Silks we only use Grade 6A 100 percent pure mulberry silk for our silk sheets, silk pillow cases, and silk accessories (including silk scrunchies and sleep masks). If your silk sheet product description doesn't have silk quality by letter and number, you should assume those sheets are made with lower-quality silk.

3. Silk Weight Preference for your Sheets

Silk weight is measured in units known as momme, sometimes abbreviated as mm. The higher the momme weight, the heavier and denser the silk weave will be. Higher momme weight silk is also made with thicker yarn. During the process of silk production, the silk factory will adjust the density and yarn count of the silk thread to control the weight -- or momme -- of the fabric. In this way, momme is similar to thread count, which is typically used to measure the weave of cotton sheets.

Silk under 20 momme is considered lightweight; twenty momme to 28 momme is a mid-weight silk; and anything above 28 momme is heavyweight. When considering a specific weave or type of silk, higher momme is generally better quality, as there is more silk thread in the material. Most silk sheets are made from 19, 22, 25 or 30 momme weight silk. Silk that is lighter than 19 momme or heavier than 30 momme silk is really not suitable for sheets.

Mulberry Park Silks signature sheets are made in 19 momme, 22 momme and 30 momme weight silk. We also offer pillow cases in a lighter weight 19 momme and a heavy and ultra-luxurious 30 momme, both of which can be purchased separately. Check the momme silk weight of any silk sheets you're considering; heavier weight will cost more. If the product listing does not display the momme weight, do not buy the sheets.

Not sure which Silk sheet is right for you?

4. Buy Only Silk That Has Been Tested Free of All Harmful Substances, Toxins and Irritants

Look for a silk bedding set that is tested and certified by an independent agency or organization to be free from harmful chemicals. All Mulberry Park's silk sheets, pillowcases, and accessories are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100* certified; this means they've been independently tested and guaranteed to be free of all harmful substances, including toxins and irritants. If you don't see OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 clearly labeled, the product is not certified to be safe of harmful substances.

*OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 is a global testing and accreditation program that successfully sets the standards for the screening of harmful substances in consumer textiles.

5. Design Details Matter When Buying the Best Silk Sheets

Small but essential details mean a lot to the look and feel of your silk sheet set. Most sheet sets come with at least one pillowcase. Try to find out how that pillow case closes. A hidden zipper, for example, is out of sight, but some people find it uncomfortable to sleep on; zippers also have the potential to catch, snag, and break. It comes down to personal preference. We recommend silk pillowcases with fabric closures, such as the signature "envelope closure" used on all Mulberry Park Silks pillowcases. Similarly, we suggest choosing a organic silk pillowcase with French seams; the fabric is folded over and sewn for a finished look without "raw edges."

When it comes to sheets, a seamless style offers maximum comfort and durability. At Mulberry Park Silks, we sew our sheets from the widest fabric bolt available (110 inches) which allows all of our flat and fitted sheets to be seamless (with the exception of our deep-pocket King 17-inch fitted style due to additional fabric requirements). The fitted sheets are also fully elasticized for a secure fit and labeled for proper placement. Our flat sheets feature a generous wide finish at the top and an unobtrusive tag at the bottom hem.

Pay attention to pillowcase hems and closures. With sheets, look for seamless construction and secure elastic on the fitted sheet, and an ample finish at the top of the flat sheet.

6. Size, Depth and Color Choices for Silk Sheets

Check the measurements on any silk sheets and pillowcases before you buy. Pay particular attention to pocket depth for the fitted sheet. Mulberry Park Silks sheets, for example, come in a choice of 15" or 17" depth to accommodate different mattress thickness. If you're not sure, get out a ruler or measuring tape; in general, a pillow top mattress will require a deeper pocket.

When it comes to pillowcases, one size definitely does not fit all. If you're purchasing a sheet set, typically a Full size sheet set will come with Standard size pillowcases; a Queen set with Queen size pillowcases; and King/Cal King with King sized pillowcases. If you're purchasing separately, make sure to check the tag on your favorite pillow to verify the size. Standard and Queen-size pillows are easy to confuse, so read the label and, when in doubt, get out your measuring tape.

You will also find a large choice of colors when buying silk sheets. White and ivory go with almost everything, but they will show stains -- something to think about if you enjoy coffee in bed! In that case, silk sheets with some color may be more versatile and a welcome addition to your bedroom décor. At Mulberry Park Silks, our complementary silk swatch program allows you to review your color choices at home before you buy.

Note: the color Ivory is the only color that is undyed and the natural color of silk, all other colors, including white, have been dyed.

Check your mattress height to order the right pocket depth; check your pillow label for size or measure before ordering.

7. Ease of Care for Your Silk Sheets

Silk CAN be easy to care for, so check this care guide before purchasing your silk sheets. Look for silk that is machine washable. We recommend using a laundry detergent specially formulated for silk; placing items in mesh laundry bags; and hanging to dry out of direct sunlight. A light iron or a simple smoothing by hand should be all that's needed to keep your pure 100 mulberry silk sheets looking and feeling beautiful. Make sure to read the care instructions in the silk sheet listing before purchasing.

8. Silk Product Packaging and Presentation

If you're shopping for silk on Amazon, you'll find a range of standard packaging options from basic plastic packaging to beautiful gift boxes. Silk sheets are a purchase of timeless luxury; whether they are a gift or for you, they should be presented in a fitting and elegant manner. Look at the packaging in the photos, if there are no pictures of the silk sheet packaging expect to receive very basic packaging.

9. Silk Sheet Price Point

Last but not least, the cost is a consideration when purchasing any silk product. Silk sheets come in a range of prices (and qualities!). Do your homework and comparison shop. We believe you'll find that when it comes to silk, you get what you pay for. However, you need not overpay.

NOTE: While comparing price, make sure you know precisely what is included in the "set" of sheets; most sets will include a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and one or two pillowcases of the appropriate size (see #6 above). However, some sets do NOT include a flat or "top" sheet, so make sure to check that when evaluating two competing brands. A reputable company like Mulberry Park Silks will disclose all the information you need to evaluate their silk sheets based on quality, weight, and size and other factors right in their product listings.

10. Shipping, Returns, and Customer Service

Price out the shipping policies before you decide to buy; a seemingly well-priced set of sheets with a hefty hidden shipping charge can quickly break your budget. At Mulberry Park Silks, we offer FREE shipping from our Connecticut headquarters to all locations in the United States. International shipping options are available. A reputable company will also stand behind their product with specific quality guarantees and a clearly articulated return policy that protects the consumer from defects and inferior workmanship. At Mulberry Park Silks, we want our clients to be fully satisfied. Our return policies are clearly spelled out, and our customer service team is available to help resolve issues and answer questions. When you contact us, you are calling our headquarters in Branford, CT, not an offshore call center. The costs of shipping and the availability of reliable customer service should weigh heavily into your decision to purchase a specific brand of sheets.

The Bottom Line: read the product listing for any silk sheets you're considering. If the above information is not clearly disclosed in the product listing, it's not part of the product.

As a premier online retailer of silk sheets, silk pillowcases, and real silk accessories, Mulberry Park Silks offers a variety of silk bedding sizes and colors at fair and affordable prices. Learn to read silk product listings Our design consultants are available to provide suggestions, answer questions, and give recommendations as needed.

Mulberry Park Silks' Complementary Silk Fabric Swatch Program

Buying silk sheets is an investment, and we want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Our complementary silk swatch program (available exclusively through the mulberryparksilks.com website) puts our silk right into your hands! Review at home, eliminate the guesswork, and make sure you've chosen the perfect color silk sheets before you buy! Learn more here.