The pillowcase slips off the pillow: what causes it and what really helps
In the morning, the pillow is crooked in the cover, one corner is empty, the fabric is wrinkled under the neck – and the next evening the same game begins all over again. When the pillow cover slips, it is rarely due to a single mistake, but rather a combination of size, closure, fabric surface and the condition of the pillow itself. Which of these four factors is the decisive one for you can be found out in a few simple steps – and that is exactly what determines which cover will solve the problem permanently.
Why the pillow cover slips: four factors
The size: the cover and pillow must match
The most common reason is the simplest. Pillow covers are cut to the nominal size of the pillow – an 80 x 80 cm cover belongs on an 80 x 80 cm pillow. If a flat neck support pillow in the 40 x 80 cm format is inside, half of the cover remains empty, and the pillow wanders into this cavity at night. The nominal size is on the sewn-in label of the pillow; if you are unsure, measure it in its flat state. Which pillow size is suitable for your sleeping position is explained in our guide to pillow sizes 80x80 and 40x80.
The closure: open, overlapping or closed
An envelope or hotel closure holds the cover only by the overlap of a fabric flap. This is enough for a calm sleep, but gives way as soon as you turn over several times at night. A zipper, on the other hand, closes the cover completely – the pillow can no longer work its way out of the opening. The third variant is an elastic all-round elastic, like the one our fine jersey covers have: The knitted fabric pulls over the pillow and fits tightly, instead of just wrapping it. You can read more about the closure types in the article Bedding with zippers.
The fabric surface: smooth glides, brushed grips
Mako satin is woven in a 4/1 atlas weave and is therefore deliberately smooth and cool – nice on the skin, but also slippery on the equally smooth inner cover of the pillow. Brushed qualities such as melange flannel and knitted ones like fine jersey have significantly more surface friction and hold the pillow in place better on their own. Those who do not want to do without satin compensate for this with the closure.
The pillow volume: fillings sag together
A pillow that has been in use for years has lost volume. The cover is then not too big – the pillow has become smaller. If a cover fit before and is now flapping, it is worth looking at the pillow instead of the laundry.
The solutions compared
| Solution | Why it holds | Ideal for | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine jersey with all-round elastic (Art. 0077144) | Elastic knitted fabric fits tightly, the elastic grips the edge | Restless sleepers, children's pillows, side sleeper pillows | from €15.95 in a two-pack |
| Melange flannel with zipper (Art. 0840500) | Closed closure plus brushed, grippy surface | Winter beds, combination with Biber flannel and flannel | €10.95 – €16.95 per cover |
| Mako satin with zipper (Art. 0615211, 0636044) | More precise cut, zipper compensates for the smooth surface | Everyone who wants to sleep cool and smooth | €9.95 – €16.95 per cover |
| Envelope/hotel closure | Holds only by the overlap of the fabric flap | Calm sleepers, quick changing | depending on the set |
Which pillow cover is right for you?
You turn over constantly at night
Then you need a cover that not only closes, but also goes along. Our Fine jersey two-pack (Art. 0077144) is knitted, stretchy cotton with an elastic all-round elastic – the pillow sits in it like in a fitted sheet. Two covers in the 80 x 80 cm format cost €26.95, the decorative pillow size 40 x 40 cm is €15.95 in a two-pack. With 22 colors, you will also almost always find a shade that matches your existing bedding.
Your pillow measures 40 x 80 cm, the cover 80 x 80 cm
No trick helps here, only the right size. The Mako satin pillow cover 40 x 80 cm (Art. 0615211) is cut exactly to the flat neck support pillow and costs €10.95. Combed mako cotton, 4/1 atlas weave, high-quality zipper – smooth and cool, without feeling clammy.
In winter, the smooth cover slips particularly
Switch to a brushed quality. The Melange flannel pillow cover (Art. 0840500) comes from our own weaving mill in Hamminkeln, is brushed and closes with a zipper: €16.95 in 80 x 80 cm, €13.95 in 40 x 60 cm, €10.95 in 40 x 40 cm. The 14 mottled colors correspond to our melange flannel bedding, so that the pillow and cover form a picture.
You want to freely combine the bed cover and pillow
Our mix-&-match designs are made exactly for this. The Mako satin pillow cover Stripes (Art. 0636044) costs €16.95 in 80 x 80 cm and €9.95 in 40 x 40 cm and can be combined with the solid and graphic designs of the Mako satin bedding – a second cover to change, which still matches the bed.
What is often overlooked
Fabric softener works against you. It forms a film on the fibers, makes jersey limp and presses the nap of flannel flat. Exactly the two properties that prevent slipping – elasticity and surface grip – are lost in the process. Therefore, wash pillow covers without fabric softener.
60 °C is no luxury. All our pillow covers are washable at 60 °C. This makes sense because the pillow absorbs a lot of moisture at night and gets dirty faster than the bed cover. The sewn-in care label remains the decisive factor.
One cover is not enough. Because pillow covers are changed more often, a second one for changing is worth it – with fine jersey, it is already included in the two-pack. Which size and which material basically fit your pillow is summarized in our guide Choosing the right pillow cover.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pillow cover keep slipping off the pillow?
In most cases, the cover is larger than the pillow or has an envelope closure that gives way when moving. First check the nominal size on the pillow label and compare it with the size specification of the cover.
Does a zipper really help against slipping?
Yes, because it closes the cover completely, so that the pillow cannot wander out of the opening. With smooth qualities like mako satin, it is the most effective lever, because the surface itself provides little grip.
Does an 80 x 80 cover fit a 40 x 80 pillow?
No. The cover will then wrinkle and the pillow will slip into the empty part. For flat neck support pillows, there are covers in the 40 x 80 cm format, for example in mako satin (Art. 0615211) or melange flannel (Art. 0840500).
Which material slips the least?
Fine jersey, because the knitted cotton is elastic and fits tightly to the pillow with an all-round elastic. Directly after that comes brushed melange flannel, whose surface has significantly more friction than smooth satin.
What helps with a side sleeper pillow or a neck roll?
For these shapes, there are special sizes: the fine jersey cover in 40 x 145 cm for side sleeper and nursing pillows as well as 15 x 40 cm for neck rolls (Art. 0077144) – both in a two-pack, the cover 15 x 40 cm for €17.95.
Can I use fabric softener if the cover slips?
Better not. Fabric softener reduces both the elasticity of jersey and the grip of brushed surfaces and thus tends to exacerbate the problem rather than solve it.
Whether elastic fine jersey, grippy melange flannel from our own production or precisely sized mako satin with a zipper: the right combination of size, closure and surface helps against a slipping pillow cover. You can find all sizes and qualities in our collection Pillow covers and matching in the Bedding collection – in original quality directly from the manufacturer and always free of shipping costs without a minimum order value.