These perks come at a price, though, and silk tends to be one of the most expensive bedding options. Read on for the top six silk sheets that will give you the most bang for your buck. When they reach the larva, or caterpillar, stage, these worms feed almost exclusively on the leaves from mulberry trees. Once full, the silkworms construct impossibly intricate cocoons out of the fine silk threads of their saliva. Those threads are what we eventually turn into silk: Producers will place these cocoons out in the sun to kill off the larvae (silk isn’t vegan!) and then begin the process of spinning their fibers into yarn. It takes upward of 2,000 tiny silkworms to create 1 pound of silk, which is one reason the material is so expensive. The process to turn their silk into usable yarn is also time- and energy-intensive, further ratcheting up the price. Mulberry silk, which is made using this traditional process, is considered the highest quality silk you can buy because of its uniform color and soft feel. If you want the real deal, and are willing to pay for it, look for 100% mulberry silk. Silk’s weight and density are measured in momme (a Japanese unit of weight equal to 3.75 grams). The higher your mulberry silk’s momme (mm), the thicker and more durable—and likely, more expensive—it is. Silk usually falls between 15 to 30 momme, with 19 mm being the average starting point. If you’re on a budget but still want the lush feel of silk, go for a lighter-weight option. You can also opt for a silk mix or satin instead. Satin is a weaving technique that leads to a smooth and glossy fabric that feels similar to silk but can be made from synthetic materials like polyester and rayon. Those who are concerned with the environmental impact of their silk sheets should look for ones that were made in an energy-efficient factory (remember, they take a lot of water, power, and resources to make) and/or dyed using natural materials instead of environmentally damaging synthetic colors. Here are the best silk sheet options on the market these days, depending on whether you’re looking to save, splurge, or protect the planet. Mulberry Park Silks 22 Momme Silk Sheet Sets ($473 for Full, $604 for Queen, $656 for King) Mommesilk 22 Momme 3PCS Fitted Sheet Set ($4099 for Full, $499 for Queen, $539 for King) Lilysilk 19MM 3PCS Fitted Sheet Set ($219 for Full, $249 for Queen, $305 for King) Elle Silk Fitted Sheet ($279 for Full, $349 for Queen, $379 for King) Brave Era 100% Silk Travel Sheet ($94.99) Lucia LaFerme Botanical Silk Sheets (Inquire for pricing, starts at $400) Since silk is moisture-wicking, you can get away with washing them slightly less frequently than cotton sheets, but you should still tend to them every two weeks or so to prevent stains. Most silk can be machine washed on a cold, gentle cycle and hung out to air dry, but always check with the manufacturer to be sure. Washing your silk sheets by themselves will help them stay in good shape for longer. If you do need to throw other laundry items in with them, towels and T-shirts are typically less abrasive than things like denim. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
