What Is The Difference Between Mulberry Silk and Regular Silk?
Silk is a type of fabric that has been used for centuries. Silk is considered to be one of the strongest natural fabrics in the world. Historically, silk fabrics are produced from worms. However, throughout time, there have been variations on how they are manufactured. Today, there are actually several different types of silk, made from different sources and produced in different ways. With that, we know for a fact that not all silks are made equal.
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A lot of silk fabrics are available in the market. It ranges from the regular ones to the most well-known and popular type of silk which is Mulberry Silk. Often considered one of the finest, most luxurious and quality fabrics readily available for purchase, Mulberry silk comes from silkworms produced from the Bombyx mori moth. Because it is produced naturally, Mulberry silk is more refined than other types of silk as it is made up of individual long fibers, which also aids to give it its luminous white color. In fact, 100% Mulberry silk is so desirable, not only because they are high quality, but they are also significantly durable.
In this article, we will explain the key differences between mulberry silk and regular silk. Here, you will learn the basics of Mulberry Silk.
How are Mulberry Silk and other silk made?
For many years, the method of making silk was closely protected by the Chinese ancestors. However, in modern days, it is already not a secret that the Mulberry silk is from the Cocoon of Bombyx mori, a type of moth more universally recognized as the silkworm. Silk is produced from the cocoon the moth creates when it undergoes metamorphosis.
The name “Mulberry” silk is from the food that silkworm specifically eats. Mulberry silk has its history in China, where local farmers grow Mulberry trees and harvest the leaves for silkworms to feed on. Once the larvae eat enough food from the tree, they will begin to weave their cocoons, which will usually take anywhere between three and eight days. When the process is complete, the cocoon is unraveled to reveal the raw silk fibers. These will then be cleaned and spun to create the silk as we see it. Because the silkworms of the Bombyx mori moth are fed only with white mulberry leaves that are at their healthiest, they produce super long, strong single strands that are ideal for weaving into silk fabric. Though it’s pure white in its original form, dye can be added to create different colors in varying shades and tones.
If you ask, how about the other types of silk? How are they made? Well, the regular silk that you might find in the market is made from wild silk. This type of silk is produced from wild silkworms. Since they are wild, these worms are not cultivated and fed with mulberry leaves. With that, they instead feast on whatever leaves they can find in the forest where they were born. As the worm is not grown in a controlled environment, the moth hatches from the cocoon and interrupts the filament length, resulting in short and coarse fibers, instead of long and lustrous ones. It also happens to be harder to dye. Examples of these wild silks include spider silk and Tussar Silk. Furthermore, other regular silk can also include Art silk or Bamboo silk, which is basically an artificial silk. It refers to any synthetic fiber which resembles silk, but is not actually real silk. These are usually produced through a synthetic process that involves breaking the woody part of bamboo and using the natural enzymes to break the bamboo walls into a mushy state. When in this state, the fibers can then be mechanically combed and rolled into yarn which is used to synthetically make the silk fabric.
What makes Mulberry Silk Better?
Mulberry Silk is the world’s most sought after silk and accounts for around 90% of silk produced globally. It is so popular because it is thought to be the highest quality silk. However, other than that, Mulberry Silk is so famous because it also offers a lot of benefits. Here are some of the advantages of Mulberry silk compared to regular silk:
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Natural and Hypoallergenic
Microbes, dust mites, and other microparticles can thrive in your bed. People with allergies can observe that such things are the primary trigger for allergies. With that, preventing them from occupying your bed is an important move in order to decrease your allergic attacks.
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One of the unique benefits of Mulberry silk is that it is natural, odorless and hypoallergenic. Mulberry silk contains a natural protein known as Sericin. This is responsible for the reduction of the possibility of an allergic reaction. Hence, Mulberry silk bedding is a healthy, safe, and ideal choice for people suffering with allergies. Also, Mulberry silk is 100% natural, meaning it is never treated with harsh chemicals. The silk threads are incredibly soft on their own so they do not require to undergo the harsh treatment like most synthetic and regular silk. With that, it also decreases the risk for allergies.
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Naturally Hydrating
Hydration is vital for good skin and hair. Mulberry silk, unlike other fabrics such as Cotton and other regular silk, has better ability in maintaining the skin and hair’s important natural oils while you sleep, reducing dryness and dullness. The breathable fibres and natural hydrating properties of Mulberry silk not only aids in the retention of these vital oils, but also permits your essential beauty products to be completely absorbed into your skin and hair. You can surely be assured to look fresher and more radiant with a hydrated and supple skin the next day because Mulberry silk has optimum ability in keeping moisture close to your skin throughout the night.
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Regulates Temperature
Maintaining and having an ideal temperature is an important factor in order to have a good night’s rest. Good thing is that Mulberry silk, unlike other synthetic silks, has a better temperature regulating property that helps guarantee a relaxing sleep. Mulberry silk serves as a penetrable layer between the skin and its environment, aiding you to either cool down or warm up as needed. Mulberry silk and other natural silk have the ability to stabilize the body’s temperature. With that, Mulberry silk bedding is predominantly advantageous for anyone else who sleeps hot or for menopausal women who experience regular hot flushes.
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Moisture Wicking Ability
It is normal for humans to sweat when sleeping. However, there are those who sweat more significantly due to hormonal and environmental factors. As a result, they really get uncomfortable when sleeping.
It is true that Mulberry silk, or silk in general, is not an extremely porous material. However, it still possesses natural moisture wicking abilities, as silk fibers evaporate moisture at a quicker rate. With the structural organization of Mulberry silk fabric being produced from thin and strongly interwoven fibers, this creates millions of air pockets, permitting sweat to travel through the silk and evaporate into the air to ensure that you stay dry and comfortable throughout the night.
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Prevents Microbial Growth
In line with Mulberry silk’s wicking ability, it also reduces the growth of microorganisms in your bed. These microorganisms require water and moisture to survive. Without this essential component, it is impossible for them to grow and multiply. Since Mulberry silk has better wicking ability, it also has better prevention in microbial growth because there is less water for these pathogens to utilize.
References:
- Cozy Earth. 2020. 5 Amazing Features and Benefits of Mulberry Silk. Retrieved from: https://cozyearth.com/blogs/news/5-amazing-features-and-benefits-of-mulberry-silk. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.
- Gingerlily. 2020. What are the different types of silk. Retrieved from: https://gingerlilylondon.com/blogs/journal/what-are-the-different-types-of-silk. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.
- Jasmine Silk. 2018. What is Mulberry Silk & Why is it Different?. Retrieved from: https://blog.jasminesilk.com/what-is-mulberry-silk/. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.
- LilySilk. 2019. Several Silk Types You Need to Know. Retrieved from: https://www.lilysilk.com/us/types-of-silk. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.
- Manito. 2017. What is the Difference between Mulberry Silk and Other Kinds of Silks?. Retrieved from: https://manitosilk.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-mulberry-silk-and-other-kinds-of-silks/. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.
- Well and Good. 2021. What is Mulberry Silk? Meet the Luxe, Eco-Friendly Fabric That’ll Do Your Hair and Skin Some Serious Good. Retrieved from: https://www.wellandgood.com/what-is-mulberry-silk/. Retrieved on 1 October 2021.