Silk or Satin?

Question

Which is more expensive, silk or satin? (as far as bed sheets) And which is more comfortable and easier to care for?

Answer 1

Hi Silverado Blues, judging by our icons, we have similar tastes. Silk is way more expensive because it is a natural fabric made from the cocoons of the silkworm, which is the caterpillar stage of a certain moth. Satin is mostly manmade. Silk can be washed, but it must also be pressed, very carefully and it wrinkles at a touch. Save it for blouses, petti's, etc. Satin can be as good as you want to pay as it is made from different threads. Really good, heavy satin, as you would find in a wedding dress or cocktail gown can be as expensive as silk, and silk is sometimes used to make a satin fabric. But for sheets, satin just means you have a shiny, slippery surface, probably rayon. Pretty, but not very practical.
I like a satin pillowcase because it doesn't muss my hair, but the sheets really are not that comfortable. For sheer luxury, so called Hotel Sheets are now on the market and they are a long-thread cotton woven so tightly you think it is satin. But they are very expensive and last forever, so if you like to change your bedding colors occassionally, don't spend the money.
I love a good percale in a pretty color or print for summer and a double-brushed, heavy weight flannel in some rich, dark color for winter. I buy good quality so they last for me 4-5 years and then I can buy new in whatever new colors or prints they have. Most of the time I change sheets once a week, so I have two sets of whatever I am using on hand always. Launder your sheets in a mild soap or a reduced amount of detergent if you prefer. That is to avoid a residue build up that can irritate your skin. Most people over load their washers and nothing really gets rinsed completely, so you are sleeping on sheets with chemicals in the fabric.
If you are getting ready for a romantic night, by all means put the satin sheets on and the sexy nightie. but be practical and make sure you have a good mattress protector under the sheets. That is a good idea anyway, because we all shed skin cells and perspiration while we sleep. Sheets are easily replaced over time, but a good mattress should last you 15 to 20 years.
So, unless you are very wealthy and can afford to have your silk sheets done by a cleaners, go with the satin or percale and flannel for winter if you get cold.
Nighty night. Sleep well.

Answer 2

Silk is more expensive and neither is easy to care for. you need a good cotton with high thread count, at least 300 to be comfortable. If you spend too much the elastic and things wear out before the sheets do, so it really isn't worth it in the long run. Use satin for romantic evenings maybe, they are slippery and you slide around on them but they are hard to stay on and they wrinkle easily.

Answer 3

Silk is more expensive. Satin is cheaper. Silk is more difficult to clean. Satin looks better on camera.

300 thread count is most comfortable, without sheen or noise.

Answer 4

Silk cost more than satin. Satin is easier to clean than silk. The feel is almost impossible to recognize.

Answer 5

silk more expensive than satin. satin is cold to the touch (atleast for the first few mins.) i prefer flannel which is soft and also warm all the time.

Answer 6

Silk More

Answer 7

Yes, that's a good point

Answer 8

very valuable information and this offers me better insight