A silk comforter (絲綿被) is a luxurious Chinese bed covering. Regular Chinese comforters are usually filled with shorter cotton fibers. Only the rich families can afford a comforter with silk filling. The long silk fibers are combed, aligned and stitched together loosely into thin layers. The silk fiber layers are then stacked together and sealed inside silk or cotton fabrics to form comforters of varying thicknesses. The result is extremely light-weight despite the silk comforter's thickness. A silk comforter is warm but the fibers let moisture pass through easily, Thin silk comforters are used even in the summer. The silk comforter is protected by a washable envelope. The comforter itself is seldom washed, but dried under the sun a few times each season.

Even in modern times, when artificial fibers of various characteristics are readily available, silk comforters are still practical and considered a kind of status symbol in Chinese communities.

In the U.S., silk comforters are mainly imported from China or Taiwan and are priced roughly the same as down comforters. However, many Chinese people dislike the odor of goose down, and hence a silk comforter is preferable. Unlike other natural fibers used in comforters, silk is naturally hypoallergenic, and also does not require any chemicals during the manufacturing process.

Bedding | Linens