When working on your new bed set, you may be running into having to decide between pillow shams, pillow protectors, or pillowcases then wondering “what’s the difference?” You may think that these are general terms for nearly identical products, but there are key differences that make getting the correct type of pillow cover important.
Pillow shams, pillowcases, and pillow protectors are all made to fit different pillow sizes, and they come in a variety of brands, such as Scandia Home, Matouk, SFERRA, and many more. While each collection offers them in similar colors, styles, and fabrics, they still serve very different functions. Here is what each type of pillow cover is made for, and why you should be mindful of which one you are buying.
What is a Pillow Sham For?
Pillow shams are easy to mistake as pillowcases, but what sets them apart is that they are meant to be purely decorative. You are not meant to sleep with a pillow sham as your pillow cover (though you very much could), but instead you place them in front of your bedspread in order to show off their intricately woven design and match the rest of the bed’s aesthetic.
Other differences between a pillow sham and a pillowcase are how you insert the pillow. A pillow sham has finishings on all four sides with the opening being on the back. They also have a flange on each side, adding to what you can contribute to your bed’s aesthetic.
As with all other pillow coverings, these come in sizes such as Standard Shams, Queen Shams, King Shams, and even Euro Shams. Usually, for decorative purposes, you’ll want to make sure that it matches the style of your duvet cover and coverlet. If you’re looking for a good recommendation, our Gordian Knot Bed Linens by Matouk should be the perfect pick for you!
What Exactly is a Pillowcase?
This might seem like an overly simple question, not every bundle of fabric you can fit a pillow into qualifies as a “pillowcase”. The main difference between pillowcases and pillow shams is that pillowcases are mostly made for comfort, though they typically still have a style matching the rest of the bed set.
Compared to shams, pillows have their opening on the side rather than their back, and the side has a purposefully long flap to ensure that the pillow is not sticking out. While not intended for decoration like shams are, they can still be arranged neatly with shams in order to create an appealing style for the bed. When investing in pillowcases, make sure to pick a pair that focuses entirely on sleeping comfort, like the Athena Bed Linens by Yves Delorme.
What is a Pillow Protector?
Unlike pillowcases or pillow shams, pillow protectors are completely focused on the longevity of the pillow rather than being decorative. They guard the actual pillow insert from liquid spills, allergens, and several types of stains. They are meant to be used in tandem with either a pillowcase or a sham, first having the pillow put inside, then either pillow cover put OVER the protector.
How to Take Care of Pillowcases and Pillow Shams
Over time, oils from your skin, skincare products, and makeup all impact the surface of any pillowcase or sham. You can try to mitigate this by using pillow covers that have a busy design and can better hide these long-term effects, such as the Sara Bed Linens by Stamattina. While having a pillow cover that makes stains harder to see can be a good thing, a better long-term solution would be to wash your pillow covers at least once a week, and once every two weeks for pillow protectors. We recommend using either L'Avant Laundry Detergent or Le Blanc Laundry Wash, as both of these products are tough on stains but gentle on fabrics AND the environment.
When to Use Each Pillow Cover
To recap, you’re going to want to use pillow shams for decoration, pillowcases for pillows you intend to sleep with, and pillow protectors in either situation in order to best guard your pillow insert against stains and allergens. You CAN use pillowcases and shams interchangeably, as most shams are comfortable enough to sleep on and pillowcases usually match the style of their corresponding bed collection as is, but each pillow cover is better suited for their intended purposes.
What to Expect from Pioneer Linens
We hope that you’ll find this guide helpful in organizing your pillows. At Pioneer Linens, our team is dedicated to providing you with the best service possible. That means helping you find the brands and styles you want, for the product you are looking for. If you have any more questions or need consultation about any of our pillowcases, pillow shams, or pillow protectors, call us at 800-207-5463 or email customerservice@pioneerlinens.com.