Silk sleep masks

Our silk sleep mask is made of 100% silk with a weight of 22 momme. It measures about 4 × 8 in (10 × 20 cm), covers the eyes to block out light, and comes with earplugs, all for $17.90.

To be clear about where it comes from: unlike our throws, which we weave in our family's own mill in Ukraine, the masks are not made by us. They are made in China, and we sell them alongside our throws.

What 22 momme means

Momme (written mm) is the unit used to weigh silk fabric. One momme is about 4.3 grams per square meter, so 22 momme silk weighs roughly 95 g/m², or about 2.8 ounces per square yard. The higher the number, the more silk goes into the same area, and the denser and less see-through the fabric is. Lighter silks of 16 or 19 momme are common; 22 momme is a heavier weight, and heavier silk generally wears better, too.

Silk or satin?

Satin is a weave, not a fiber, and many satin sleep masks are made of polyester. Silk is a protein fiber spun by silkworms. When you compare masks, check the fiber content, not just the name: ours is 100% silk, which you notice as a smooth, light fabric over the eyes.

When a silk eye mask comes in handy

A silk eye mask is small enough to keep in a nightstand drawer or a carry-on. It blocks light when the sun rises early in summer, when you sleep during the day after a night shift, when someone else reads with the lamp on, and on flights and in hotel rooms. The earplugs are there for noisy nights.

How to care for a silk mask

These are general tips for silk; check the care label first.

• Hand wash in cool or lukewarm water with a mild detergent made for silk or delicates.
• Don't wring it: press out the water or roll it in a towel.
• Let it dry flat, out of direct sun and away from heaters.
• Skip bleach and the dryer.

A small gift

At $17.90, the mask is an easy add-on to a throw order, or a stocking stuffer on its own. It ships free across the US from our warehouse in New Jersey, and unused items can be returned within 30 days under our returns policy.