King Size Pillowcases

A king pillowcase is 50x90 cm in Europe and the UK. US king pillowcases run slightly differently, typically 50x102 cm.

Measure your pillow before ordering: king pillows are longer than standard, and a standard pillowcase (50x70 cm) won't fit a king pillow. The case should fit snugly without straining the seams or pulling at the corners.

Measure the pillow itself. A standard pillow is 50x70 cm in Europe and the UK. A king pillow is 50x90 cm in the same markets.

US standards are 51x66 cm for standard and 51x102 cm for king. If your pillow is noticeably longer than a normal pillow and stretches further across the bed, it's likely a king. Pillowcase sizing follows the pillow, not the bed.

Length, mostly. A king pillowcase is 20 cm longer than a standard pillowcase in European sizing, and 36 cm longer in US sizing.

The width stays roughly the same. King pillowcases suit larger beds where one pillow per side replaces the usual two standard pillows. Some sleepers prefer king pillowcases for prop-up reading, since the extra length gives the pillow more body.

Percale king pillowcases feel cool and crisp against the cheek, like a hotel pillow. They suit warm sleepers and people who like the structured feel of a freshly-made bed.

Sateen king pillowcases feel silkier and slightly warmer, with a softer drape. They suit people who pull the pillowcase up to their face and want a more enveloping surface. Both are 100% Portuguese cotton; the choice is texture, not quality.

Buy at least two pairs of king pillowcases per pillow. Pillowcases should be washed weekly, more often than sheets, because the surface contacts skin and hair directly.

A rotation of three or four cases per pillow makes weekly washing painless and extends the life of each individual case. Hot wash at 60 degrees Celsius every few weeks keeps the cotton fresh.

Wash king pillowcases at 40 to 60 degrees Celsius with a mild detergent. Skip fabric softener; it coats the fibres and reduces breathability.

Tumble dry on low or line dry. Iron while slightly damp if you want the flat, hotel-smooth finish. Pillowcases soften steadily over the first year of washes and then hold their hand for years.