Silk pillowcases are a saviour for curly hair. They’re said to help with keeping hair frizz-free, tug less on the skin and some believe they’re great for letting skin retain its moisture (but the jury is out on this one). Bamboo pillowcases are growing in popularity too but can they replace the feel of silk?
HOW SILK IS MADE
Although silk is a natural fibre, it comes from the cocoons of silkworms. The silkworm is the larva or caterpillar of a silk moth (Bombyx mori moth). Female moths lay around 300 to 500 tiny eggs at a time but she, unfortunately, dies after doing so as she neglects to eat anything. The larva (silkworms) hatch around 10 days later and for a period of around 30 to 40 days, they feed off the leaves from mulberry trees and sometimes artificial silkworm food. There are 4 stages of development that they go through during their growth. During that time, they spin protective cocoons around themselves made of a single thread of silk.
Although silk may seem like a soft, luxurious fabric to use, it is not a cruelty-free product as countless silkworms are killed in the production of silk. Although there is peace silk, where the fibres are spun after the silk moth has escaped from the cocoon, there is no guarantee that silkworms haven’t been trapped inside and harmed. The good news is that there are cruelty-free alternatives that give you a similarly lovely texture and positive effects on your sleep, hair and skin.
BAMBOO SILK IS AN ALTERNATIVE WE LOVE
Bamboo is a much more sustainable material than silk and is vegan-friendly too. Bamboo plants grow and mature incredibly fast, are ready for harvesting within 4 years and can grow in areas that are not suitable for growing other crops. They do not require replanting due to their extensive root base. The Bamboo woody stems are picked from the plants and crushed into a pulp. Natural enzymes are then used on the crushed fibres which are extracted from the pulp, washed and spun into a yarn called bamboo linen. It is important to note that some bamboo fabrics are not made using this method and chemicals or other toxins are used, so we recommend researching the process and claims of each bamboo product you’re looking to purchase.
As with silk, bamboo silk has the lovely qualities of being soft and smooth with a natural sheen, reducing friction on the skin and causing less inflammation if you have sensitive skin. They are both also hypoallergenic, meaning they are unlikely to cause any allergic reactions. Bamboo silk is one of the most efficient thermal insulators. It is a cooling, breathable, antibacterial and anti-fungal fabric so will help aid a good night’s sleep. It is said to help hair and skin to stay hydrated, enabling retention of their natural levels of moisture. Although not as luxurious as silk, bamboo silk is very durable, it washes extremely well and even gets softer with every wash!
BAMBOO SILK PILLOWCASES WE LOVE:
Billy Sleeps Bamboo Silk Pillowcase
This Billy Sleeps pillowcase is handmade and made from bamboo silk that is grown without chemicals or harmful substances.
All Bamboo 100% Bamboo Pillowcases
With a 300-thread count (that feels much higher), the All Bamboo pillowcase pair is ideal for those with allergies, eczema, night sweats and menopausal symptoms.
Scotts of Stow 100 Percent Bamboo Oxford Pillowcases
On top of the many benefits of bamboo silk, the Scotts of Stow pack of two is antimicrobial, odour resistant, anti-static and uses only Moso, Dragon and Ci bamboo (not the type pandas eat).
Why not complement your bamboo silk pillowcase(s) with an organic bamboo silk sleep mask too? The 4 layers of La’Aquarelle natural fabric block out the light and the adjustable elastic secures the mask gently to your head, without leaving indentation marks on the side of your head or touching your eyes for the perfect night’s sleep.
You might also like to read:
An Evening Routine To Help With A Restful Night’s Sleep
Morning Routines That Make Your Day
Making Plastic Free Choices Easier
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED USING A BAMBOO SILK PILLOWCASE?
Did it make a difference to how you slept, your hair and your skin?
We’d love for you to tell us in a comment below!
Sadly, bamboo is 40% more absorbent than cotton. It is a highly hydrophilic plant. I haven’t found a good alternative to silk.
Author
Thank you Veneta, we’ve heard both that it is more absorbent and less than cotton. To avoid confusion, we have updated the blog to reflect the ambiguity. We appreciate your comment. Have a great day x