Hi.  I just got some "silk pillowcases".  I tried one for the first time last night.  Had to remove it from the pillow in the middle of the night because it was causing static in my hair.  My hair was actually getting stuck to the pillow!  Not exactly the effect I was going for!

These "silk" pillowcases are 100% polyester.  I guess that doesn't work.

Oooh no!  Where'd you get these pillowcases?  I've seen silk sheet sets from Victoria's Secret catalog, and they say they're 100% silk.  Hmmm, maybe I'll just go to the store and look.  I'm afraid of buying something that expensive and then it not turning out to be silk!  Ohh, Lisa, I'm sorry!  Can you return them?

Were they advertised as silk or satin?  Satin is frequently polyester, satin is a type of weave that makes it very smooth.  Many people confuse the two.  Silk is an actual fiber.

To salvage your pillowcases - try wiping a fabric softener sheet on them.  This will usually eliminate the static condition.

Thanks, Bikerbraid.  You mean I might actually be able to use them?

I got them from Overstock.com, which I normally love.  They were advertised as silk, and it says silk on the package.  But the tag says 100% polyester.

I was wrong.  I checked again, and they do say satin.  But I thought that was what people advised sleeping on to protect the hair.  Does it have to be silk?

wrote on Nov 19^th, 2004 at 2:01pm:

Satin is frequently polyester, satin is a type of weave that makes it very smooth.  Many people confuse the two.  Silk is an actual fiber.

yup, also the reason i sweat to death in sleeping outfits that were labeled satin!!  :-[

wrote on Nov 19^th, 2004 at 2:13pm:

I got them from Overstock.com, which I normally love.  They were advertised as silk, and it says silk on the package.  But the tag says 100% polyester.

the bastards!!!
>:(

wrote on Nov 19^th, 2004 at 3:34pm:

Does it have to be silk?

I was wondering the exact same thing!??? Related question: what about rayon? Or is that a no-no as well? Up until very recently (when I bought my satin sleep cap) I avoided polyester/polymide/poly-anything like the plague!!! And I know for sure that cotton is not the answer, especially for my dry hair.

I am going to make my own pillow cases and will be digging through my fabric stash tonight to see if I have any silk yardage big enough. TIA for the feedback.

Satin can be OK - I sleep on a satin pillowcase.  You may just need to wash it to get rid of the static.  If it had been in a plastic bag, that may have caused the fabric to build up a static charge.  Washing and using a fabric softener will remove the static and leave the fabric VERY smooth and soft.

Thanks.  I will wash it and use fabric sofener.  They really don't feel all that soft or smooth right now.  

They were in a plastic bag.

I have one satin pillowcase and one silk pillowcase.  The satin, has more slip, but it is hotter to me, being prone to power surges.

The silk is my personal favorite.  It's smooth, breathable, my hair doesn't get static and it feels good to my skin, as well.  And no sweats, hot flashes or power surges. LOL  Also, silk is very strong , can be hand washed and dries fast.  My satin case shows some signs of wear but the silk one doesn't.

If you shop around you can find silk pillowcases for not a whole lot more than satin.  Or you can buy the fabric and make your own.  Don't forget to check the remnant tables at your fabric store for bargains.

All that said, I think as far as being gentle on your hair that satin might have a little more slip and might be hair-kinder.

But I don't think you could go wrong with either of them.

strawberryfine