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What Are the Pros and Cons of Using a Flannel Pillow Case?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

A flannel pillow case has several pros and cons. First, while it may feel cozy and warm in the winter, it can be too warm and uncomfortable in the summer. This soft fabric can feel luxurious on the face, but it may cause snarls and knots in long hair. Although they are easier to care for than silk pillowcases, flannel pillow cases can become damaged when they are not cared for properly. This is especially true of cheap, low-quality flannel.

One of the biggest advantages of a flannel pillow case is its warmth. Flannel, which is usually made from wool, will often make the user feel comfortable, cozy, and warm. In fact, flannel bedding is often considered to be the best cold-weather bedding.

Woman holding a book
Woman holding a book

Its warmth, however, can also be a disadvantage of a flannel pillow case. Some people may find that these types of pillow cases are too warm, and they may be uncomfortable. The warmth of flannel may be especially uncomfortable in the warm summer months. Other types of bedding, like plain cotton or silk, are usually better as warm-weather bedding.

Besides being very warm, a flannel pillow case is also very soft. High-quality fleece bedding will usually be much softer feeling than low-quality fleece bedding, which may feel dry or rough. Many people enjoy the feeling of soft fleece against their skin.

Although it may feel very soft on the skin, a fleece pillow case will often damage hair. Many women, and men, with long hair will often find that lying their head on a fleece pillow case at night will cause snarls and matted hair. This can be very hard to comb out, and the hair will usually end up damaged. Silk or satin pillow cases are usually recommended for people who are trying to protect their hair from damage.

Caring for a flannel pillow case is generally a little harder than caring for cotton bedding, but it is much easier than caring for silk bedding. Nearly every pillow case has a tag attached to it with instructions for care. Flannel should usually be washed in cold water, either by hand or on the gentle cycle, and hung out to dry naturally. If one is unable to hang the flannel to dry, a dryer set on low heat can be used instead.

Improper care of a flannel pillow case can cause the fabric to become damaged. Pills, or small bumps, may show up on the surface of the fabric, for instance. High heat can also melt many types of flannel. High-quality flannel is much less likely to develop pills. A high-quality flannel pillow case, however, will also cost a bit more.

Discussion Comments

anon1003968

You are WRONG about the cause of hair fallout in flannel sheets.

My spouse's hair falls out ONLY when using certain brands of flannel. Both came from Portugal.

OBVIOUSLY the cause is from some kind of chemical processing or dye.

I have insanely dry hair, but my hair does not fall out.

My spouse does not have dry hair, yet his hair does fall out.

But only when he sleeps on one of 2 brands of flannel sheet.

Wisedly33

I don't like flannel in general, but I am tempted to get a flannel pillowcase for my mom. She is older and she's always cold. Maybe having a flannel pillowcase would help her head, and by extension, the rest of her, stay warm.

She has short hair, so tangles shouldn't be a problem. I think I'll check around and see if I can find some decent pillowcases for a decent price. These days, buying bed linens is a whole paycheck proposition, even if you get the cheaper kinds. I’ll do some price comparisons before I decide which ones to buy.

Scrbblchick

I use a flannel sheet over my flat sheet as insulation, but I know I couldn't deal with a flannel pillowcase. I have to have the cool side of the pillow against my head, so a pillowcase that stays warm would keep me from ever getting to sleep.

I have shoulder-length hair, but it's thin and fine, and tangles if you look at it too hard anyway, so I'd probably end up with a head full of snarls and tangles the next morning. That would not be an ideal situation, by any means. I think I'll just stick with good old muslin pillowcases. I can sleep well on those.

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