Sleep is something many people simply take for granted. They do not approach it with the reverence that it deserves. With the proper attitude, sleep can be one of the most enjoyable parts of one's day.



When purchasing a comforter many people make the mistake of buying one that matches the theme of their room. Comforter sets that contain appealing patterns and colors are nice, but the most important purpose of any comforter is to provide comfort while sleeping.

Silk Comforters

For hundreds of years, silk has been the ultimate sign of luxury. The silk trade has continued its position at the top of the material heap, despite the widespread availability of cheaper fabrics.

The easy access to cotton has not deterred shoppers from enjoying the lavishness of a nice high quality silk. Silk comforters have many properties that set them apart from regular comforters.

Silk Production

Silk comes from the cocoon of a Mulberry-eating moth native to China. When their larval worms reach maturity, they spin cocoons from silk glands. These glands can produce strains of silk over 1000 meters long.

In the use of silk production, these cocoons are boiled to make them hard and kill the growing worm. A worm breaking out would actually break the continuous thread into thousands of smaller threads, making the production of marketable silk thread considerably more difficult.

Those interested in making thread would begin unwinding the cocoon, until it was one long piece and then begin the tremendous task of weaving the filaments together. The process for making silk comforters uses a different technique for silk weaving.

The silk cocoons are stretched into very thin layers and woven together with silk threads to make a silk comforter. Depending on the thickness of the comforter, it can take up to one hundred layers of stretched cocoons to complete one blanket.

Caring for Silk Comforter Sets

The delicate nature of silk makes washing it in a normal washing machine a dangerous task. Silk is very sensitive to water and can shrink or become disfigured in a traditional wash. Dry cleaning is the only safe way to clean silk.

Silk Duvet covers are made to be more resistant to water and can be either hand washed or placed in the wash on a gentle cycle. This is the most common form of care for duvet covers but should certainly be checked against the manufacture's recommendation.

Silk responds very well to sunlight and should be aired out when it begins to feel heavy or becomes less effective at holding in heat. Elements from the sun pull out moisture that can become trapped in the internal weaving of any silk product.

Advantages of Silk

The basic techniques used to construct silk comforters make it uniquely adept at evenly distributing heat evenly. This uniformity provides an uncompromising comfort that hugs the form of the person or people.

The weave of silk makes it nearly impossible for it to hold allergens and dust mites, making it the perfect material for someone who is plagued by allergies. This is the primary characteristic of silk that has helped it retain its popularity over down comforters.

Most comforters are designed to merely hold in heat. Silk holds heat in, but is also porous enough to draw moisture away from the body to help prevent overheating. It is light enough to be used in summer, but holds heat well enough to be a tremendous benefit in the colder months of the year.

Conclusion

Sleeping in a bed wrapped in silk can be a rejuvenating experience. A good nights sleep can mean the difference between a terrific day and a terrible one. Snuggling with your honey under a truly luxurious blanket can also provide its own benefits, which might be best left to the imagination.

Knowing how to properly care for your silk comforter can drastically increase the life of it and make it a fundamental part of your sleeping ritual for years to come. Comforters that are naturally designed to be hypoallergenic can help encourage your body to contentedly enjoy countless hours of sweet dreams.