Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. It never changes our picks. Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.
Quick answer
What differs between the three: feel, drape, washing and lifespan. Choose the feel you like and the care you'll actually do.
- Silk: smooth and slippery, light and fluid. It needs gentle washing.
- Cotton: familiar and easy. Percale weaves feel crisp, and sateen weaves feel smoother.
- Linen: textured and crisp at first, and it softens with every wash. It creases easily.
Specific cases we'd buy: pillowcase guide.
👉 Take the 2-minute quiz: get the pillow right first, then pick the case.
Side-by-side
Silk
Cotton percale
Cotton sateen
Linen
Bamboo lyocell
Microfibre
| Silk (mulberry) | Cotton | Linen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Smooth and slippery | Percale is crisp and matte; sateen is soft with a slight sheen | Dry and slightly textured; softens over time |
| Weight and drape | Light, fluid, clings to the pillow | Medium weight, holds its shape | Heavier, relaxed drape, creases easily |
| Care and washing | Hand wash or gentle cycle in cool water, mild detergent, no tumble dry (follow the label) | Most handle a warm machine wash and tumble dry on low | Machine washable; line dry; no ironing needed if you like the rumpled look |
| Durability | Delicate: it can snag, and harsh detergents and heat wear it faster | Hard-wearing; percale tends to wear evenly | Strong fibres that last well with regular washing |
| How it sleeps (fabric feel) | Smooth and light against your face | Percale feels crisp and airy; sateen feels smooth and soft | Feels dry and textured |
| Typical price per case, checked 26 Oct 2026; prices change | about A$99.95–A$121 for 22 momme | about A$37.50 for organic cotton percale | about A$45 for European flax linen |
More detail: full table
| Silk (mulberry) | Cotton | Linen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Smooth and slippery | Percale is crisp and matte; sateen is soft with a slight sheen | Dry and slightly textured; softens over time |
| Weight and drape | Light, fluid, clings to the pillow | Medium weight, holds its shape | Heavier, relaxed drape, creases easily |
| Care and washing | Hand wash or gentle cycle in cool water, mild detergent, no tumble dry (follow the label) | Most handle a warm machine wash and tumble dry on low | Machine washable; line dry; no ironing needed if you like the rumpled look |
| Durability | Delicate: it can snag, and harsh detergents and heat wear it faster | Hard-wearing; percale tends to wear evenly | Strong fibres that last well with regular washing |
| How it sleeps (fabric feel) | Smooth and light against your face | Percale feels crisp and airy; sateen feels smooth and soft | Feels dry and textured |
| Typical price per case, checked 26 Oct 2026; prices change | about A$99.95–A$121 for 22 momme | about A$37.50 for organic cotton percale | about A$45 for European flax linen |
Price bands come from the cases we checked on retailers' sites on 26 Oct 2026 (AEDT). Details and links are in our pillowcase guide. Prices change, so check at the retailer before you buy.
What the labels mean
Smooth weave (silk, sateen)
Textured weave (linen)
- Momme (silk): the weight of the silk. A higher momme means a denser, heavier fabric. 19 to 25 momme is common for pillowcases, and 22 is a popular middle ground.
- Thread count (cotton): threads per square inch. Above roughly 300 to 400, the weave and the fibre quality matter more than the number.
- Percale vs sateen (cotton): percale is a one-over, one-under weave that feels crisp and matte. Sateen floats more threads on the surface, so it feels smoother and has a sheen.
- GSM (linen): grams per square metre. A lighter linen feels light and airy; a heavier one feels more substantial.
More detail: What the labels mean
- Momme (silk): the weight of the silk. A higher momme means a denser, heavier fabric. 19 to 25 momme is common for pillowcases, and 22 is a popular middle ground.
- Thread count (cotton): threads per square inch. Above roughly 300 to 400, the weave and the fibre quality matter more than the number.
- Percale vs sateen (cotton): percale is a one-over, one-under weave that feels crisp and matte. Sateen floats more threads on the surface, so it feels smoother and has a sheen.
- GSM (linen): grams per square metre. A lighter linen feels light and airy; a heavier one feels more substantial.
Which one suits you?
- You like a slippery, smooth surface and don't mind hand washing: silk.
- You want low-fuss and machine-everything: cotton percale or sateen.
- You like a relaxed, textured look and a dry feel: linen.
- You share a bed and want matching sets on a budget: cotton, which usually costs the least per case.
More detail: Which one suits you?
- You like a slippery, smooth surface and don't mind hand washing: silk.
- You want low-fuss and machine-everything: cotton percale or sateen.
- You like a relaxed, textured look and a dry feel: linen.
- You share a bed and want matching sets on a budget: cotton, which usually costs the least per case.
Care tips that make any case last
- Wash it inside out and close any zips first.
- Use a mild detergent, and skip bleach and fabric softener on silk.
- Dry it in the shade. Sun and high heat fade colour and weaken fibres.
- Rotate two or three cases so each one gets a rest between washes.
- Check the size: Standard pillowcases are commonly around 48 × 73 cm. Queen and king cases are larger, and sizes vary by brand.
More detail: Care tips that make any case last
- Wash it inside out and close any zips first.
- Use a mild detergent, and skip bleach and fabric softener on silk.
- Dry it in the shade. Sun and high heat fade colour and weaken fibres.
- Rotate two or three cases so each one gets a rest between washes.
- Check the size: Standard pillowcases are commonly around 48 × 73 cm. Queen and king cases are larger, and sizes vary by brand.
The bottom line
No fabric is "best":
- Silk: smoothness
- Cotton: easy care
- Linen: texture
Pick the feel and the washing you'll keep up with. Then check the pillow underneath is the right height.
Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. It never changes our picks. Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.