Although many pillows come encompassed within a washable cover, you should consider providing your own pillowcase for added protection. Not all pillows are machine washable and dryable, especially those made with memory foam cores, and you want to ensure that you get as long a life as possible from your pillow investment.
A pillowcase encompasses your pillow and provides a barrier between your head and the material of the pillow itself. This does not mean that all moisture and skin oils are completely kept from your pillow surface, but it does mean that you are prolonging the pillow’s life.
Also, a pillowcase allows for a fresh surface for which to lay your head and face upon. With use there will be a build up of dead skin cells and body oils no matter how clean you are, and removing and washing a pillowcase is much more convenient that having to try and wash a pillow each and every laundry day.
Types of Fabric Used in Pillowcases
Pillowcases come in a variety of materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let us take a closer look at the different materials available.
Natural
Natural fabrics, such as cotton, flannel, and linen, are soft, extremely absorbent fabrics. Cotton, for example, has the ability to absorb up to 27 times its weight in water and hold onto it. This is because cotton is mostly comprised of cellulose, a hydrophilic polysaccharide.
Cotton is easily the most versatile fabric available. It is quite comfortable, although not as good as silk or fleece. It can be easily used to make a variety of designs, and infused with a range of colors. If you want to purely base your selection on style and looks, cotton is a great choice.
It is also an excellent material for the summers. However, the biggest advantage of cotton pillowcases is that they are extremely easy to maintain.
Silk and Satin
Silk is a natural protein fiber that is obtained from the silkworm. It is a light fabric that is very slippery, which aesthetically is not always appealing, plus it is a high maintenance fabric.
Silk is one of the softest fabrics ever to be produced. On top of it, silk is amazingly comfortable, warming, and not to mention airy. Silk’s excellent warming properties make it a great material for the winters. Plus, its breathability keeps you well aerated during the summers. Silk is an amazing all-season material.
Silk can also be used to produce flannel, which is also an excellent choice of material for pillowcases. If you are using high end pillows such as Hungarian goose down or memory foam pillows, then you need the best pillowcases to complement them. Silk is as good as it gets.
The best quality silk comes from China and India. For authentic pillowcases made of the highest quality silk, you might want to check out the collection at Diamond Bedding.
Synthetic
Synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, have a much lower water absorption than natural fabrics. These types of fabrics tend to wick moisture, and sometimes overwick, which can actually lead to dry hair and skin.
Natural + Synthetic
Enter patent-pending fabric, one that blends the properties of both natural and synthetic fibers for truly ’better for you bedding.’ Our fabric is uniquely engineered for comfort, durability and ease of care
Polyester
Polyester pillowcases are usually the cheapest pillowcases you can get in the market. They are the easiest to maintain. They can be easily cleaned. But, their advantages end there.
They are not known for their comfort. In fact, they can be quite rough on the skin, especially when you are sleeping with your cheek down.
Velvet
Velvet is easily one of the most sensuous material you can have in the bedroom and pillows. It feels soft and nice on the skin. As it is made of cotton and polyester, it gets very hot during the warm nights, especially during the summers.
They work quite well during the winters and offer good warmth for the entire season. But, once the snow melts, the velvet pillowcases are best left in the drawer until the next season.
Fabric That Benefits Your Skin
Many people use thread count as a standard for choosing their bedding. A product’s thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads woven into one square inch of fabric. While thread count is easily quantifiable, it is not necessarily the best measure of quality. When choosing your bedding fabric, keep thread count in mind but focus more on the material type.
As stated above, cotton pillowcases do not work with the skin. The highly absorbent properties of cotton will cause your skin to stick to the pillowcase, which can lead to creases in the skin and permanent wrinkles over time.
Oxygen is necessary for skin to repair itself overnight. Furthermore, consistent airflow helps to regulate the temperature of the skin and prevent uncomfortable sweating. When facial skin excessively sweats during the night, it is more prone to sleep lines due to increased friction as well as acne breakouts due to clogged pores.
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