Silk is the only natural fibre of animal origin used for the manufacture of textiles. It is a rare and precious fabric since silk fibres are mainly derived from the cocoon produced by the caterpillar, also known as the silkworm, which gives rise to the mulberry bombyx, a variety of butterfly from China. Silk, which refers to both the manufacture of fabric and the place where it is made, was discovered in 2500 BC, but it was not until the 12th century that it appeared in France. Silk provides an incomparable softness to the touch, and has multiple advantages when used for bed linen.
The advantages of silk sheets
The main advantage of opting for a silk bed linen set is its softness, sleeping on silk is a unique sensation, which brings a lot of well-being. It is a fabric which is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic, and which would have no more the property to maintain the hydration of the skin, and thus to prevent the appearances of ageing. Having silk sheets also helps to keep warm, their lightness is not a brake to this first function. This is one of the main advantages of natural fibres: they keep you warm in winter and prevent you from getting too hot in summer.
The disadvantages of silk sheets
The main disadvantage of silk sheets is their price. The rarity of its fiber puts it in a price range higher than linen or satin bedding, and well above the price of cotton. Its rarity makes it an item that is not so easy to find, only a few specialist retailers carry it, but this suggests a more limited choice in its colours. The other disadvantage of silk is its maintenance: silk is a fragile material that must be taken care of and handled with care, at the risk of not keeping it for long, or of seeing it fade.
Our advice for the care of your silk sheets
Silk sheets retain moisture easily, so it is advisable to air them after each night, especially if one of the sleepers in the bed sweats at night! For washing, it is strongly advised to put it in the dry cleaner's or to wash it by hand with a very soft detergent, or even to use a special liquid soap. Ironing should not be done directly by putting the iron in contact with the fabric, it should be protected with a cotton cloth.
La Chambre Paris satin, as soft as silk
At La Chambre Paris, we do not offer silk sheets. However, our range of bed linen is available in white, champagne or taupe satin, a material almost as silky as silk. Satin is a weaving process that makes the fabric shiny on the reverse side and matt on the front. Our satin is made of long-fibre yarns only, for an impeccable quality. A beautiful fabric made with care and respect for the environment, it does not exist only in dreams. Discover our satin sheets and bring a touch of elegance to your bedroom.
