A pillowcase does a lot more than just match your sheets. The right pillowcase also helps you enjoy a restful night's sleep. Wouldn’t it be great if your hair and skin were pampered while you were sleeping? If you sleep on a pillowcase of the right fabric, this can happen! We are speaking about mulberry silk. The quality of your pillowcase material matters a lot, and mulberry silk is the best of the best for those looking to pamper themselves while enjoying a luxurious night of sleep.
If you've wondered, "What is mulberry silk?" you may be surprised by its unique story. This cloudlike, soft silk comes from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori moth. These incredible silkworms eat only mulberry leaves and spin their cocoons using silk filaments.
Pure white and made up of individual long fibers, mulberry silk is more refined than other types of silk. Simply put, mulberry silk is the best! It is the top-quality silk that can be manufactured in either natural or manmade environments. It is both fine and light. Thanks to its refined appearance and soft feel, mulberry silk has been one of the most prized fabrics in the world for thousands of years.
Mulberry Silk vs. Silk: Is Mulberry Silk Real Silk?
Mulberry silk is an enormous contrast to wild silk, which is made using the secretions of wild silkworms that have matured into moths. Unlike mulberry silk, other types of silks, such as wild silk or habutai silk, are less uniform in color and texture, with shorter strands.
In order to make it, the eggs of domesticated silkworms are laid onto mulberry leaves. This is done so that they can begin feasting as soon as they have hatched. Once the domesticated silkworms have feasted to their hearts' content, they naturally crawl onto prepared branches and then begin weaving their cocoons. The completed cocoons are then placed in hot water to unravel them into their constituent strands. Although it may seem insignificant to those unfamiliar with the industry, the unbroken nature of mulberry silk results in a whole host of benefits for people buying silk bedding.
Mulberry silk is more refined than other types of silk. What may surprise you is that it is just as practical as it is luxurious. For one, the fabric is famous for its exceptional strength. A strand of mulberry silk is stronger than a strand of steel of the same diameter! As well, mulberry silk is a natural substance with no odor whatsoever, making it well-suited to the needs of consumers who suffer from allergies.
Mulberry Silk vs. Charmeuse
There truly is no basis for comparison. While mulberry silk is always natural silk, charmeuse is a term for a material with one shiny side and one matte side that may or may not be natural. Charmeuse can be made from silk, a synthetic like polyester, or a semi-synthetic like rayon.
Mulberry silk is appealing for its purity, long, uniform fibers and nonallergenic properties. Mulberry silk is considered the ultimate silk fabric, praised for its smoothness, luxuriousness and luminescence. It is so exceptional and versatile and feels so soft against the skin that it is often chosen for high-quality bedding and clothing.
Mulberry Silk vs. Satin
Again, mulberry silk emerges as the clear winner compared to satin fabric. Satin is a weave type that looks shiny and feels soft. Satin fabric can be made from a natural fiber like silk, a synthetic one like polyester, or a blend. There is nothing wrong with satin, but mulberry silk has more qualities to admire.
Mulberry silk offers the consumer excellent breathability in bedding and clothing items. It's a fabric that is self-regulating to adapt to the environment and keep you cooler. Also, mulberry silk is kind to skin, especially in bedding products for pillows and sheets. This silk fabric can help the skin maintain hydration, and it's amazing as an antimicrobial fabric and ideal for the sweaty sleeper. That means the unique fabric repels mold and dust mites and odor for a super-clean sleeping environment.
Adding sumptuous silk bedding to the best mattresses and comfiest pillows on the planet can all add up to a restful, healthy night's sleep.
How to Wash Mulberry Silk
According to fabric experts, hand-washing mulberry silk products is the preferred cleaning method because it is a gentle process. Remove your rings and other jewelry to avoid snagging the fiber. Use cold water, turn the pillowcases or other items inside out, and wash mulberry silk separately from your other laundry items.
Look for mild detergents that are specifically developed to wash silk fabric. These neutral-pH formulas do not contain dyes, sulfates, phosphates (optical brighteners), chlorine bleach or caustic chemicals.
If you don't have the time to hand-wash your fine mulberry silk sheets, place them in a mesh laundry bag for protection, and use the washing machine on the delicate or gentle cycle. Some washing machines feature a wool or hand-wash cycle. Use cool water for your favorite mulberry silk items to maintain their fabric integrity and luxe appearance.
Mulberry Silk Grading System
"Momme" is a Japanese form of weight measurement to judge quality. This is similar to thread count in cotton products. Momme describes the silk’s weight and density. A higher momme means there are more strands of silk per 100 yards of fabric, therefore making the product heavier, more durable, and of higher quality. Weights range from 11 momme to 25 momme. Remember, the higher, the better!
Products With Mulberry Silk You Should Consider
If you want a luxurious treat for your skin and hair as you sleep, you can find it in the Madison Park Mulberry 100% Silk Pillowcase. These silk pillowcases are 25 momme, ensuring a silky-smooth charmeuse texture. They provide a skin-friendly sleep surface, reducing pillow-induced hair breakage and facial creasing. This is why mulberry silk is recommended by beauty experts and dermatologists. We carry this product in four colors: ivory, gray, pink, and white. Be sure to grab two for a matching set.
It’s more than just beautiful and silky soft. These pillowcases are Oeko-Tex® Certified, meaning they do not include harmful substances or chemicals. This certification ensures quality, comfort, and wellness. If you’re wondering how to wash these, Madison Park says to hand-wash them inside out in cold water.
Whether you want luxury mulberry silk, cool cotton, moisture-wicking bamboo, or something to offer the best allergy protection, we have a pillowcase for you. We encourage you to shop our entire collection of pillowcases to find the perfect one for your linens!