What Is Mulberry Silk & How to care for it?

Natural silk is such a precious fabric, but did you know that there's more than one type of natural silk in the world and that one is considered the best one of all? Many fabrics can easily be mistaken for natural silk, but the latter has properties that can't be replicated. If you know how and what to look for when buying real silk, you have a lesser chance of buying fake or imitation silk. 

In general, there are four types of natural silk being produced all over the world. There's the Eri Silk, the Tasar Silk, the Muga Silk, and, the best one of all, the Mulberry Silk. There are even more types of imitation or synthetic silk out on the market, but today, we'll focus on Mulberry Silk, the queen of all-natural fibers. 

Anyone shopping for silk knows just how precious mulberry silk is. Considered to be the best and highest quality silk one can buy, products made with mulberry silk often come with a heftier price tag. However, many would say that the steep price tag is worth considering the fabric's quality and all the benefits you can reap from using it. 

Originally discovered in China thousands of years ago, mulberry is now famed worldwide for its luxurious qualities. Mulberry silk has the softest feel and the smoothest texture among all types of natural fabrics. Interestingly enough, it is also the strongest and the most durable natural fiber. Thanks to its durability, strength, texture, and feel, mulberry silk can be used in various products, from delicate sleepwear to heavy-duty silk bedding and even sleeping bags. 

How Is Mulberry Silk Made?

Mulberry silk originates from China. It is said to have been discovered in 2640 BC by the emperor's third wife as she was having tea under a mulberry tree. According to stories, a silkworm cocoon fell from the tree and into her tea. She watched it unravel and was astounded by the delicate, long thread coming out of the cocoon. Intrigued by her discovery, she collected thousands more of the cocoons, harvested the fabric threads from them, and had a robe made for the emperor. 

Today, China still takes the number 1 spot in mulberry silk production worldwide. However, mulberry silk producers in other parts of Asia, like India and Thailand. Although not as overwhelmingly productive as China, European countries, like Italy, produce mulberry silk.

Mulberry silk gets its name from the silkworm's tree producing this type of silk feed. The production of mulberry silk starts with the Bombyx mori L, an insect from the moth family. The silkworm is a larva or the caterpillar of an insect called the silk moth. 

Silk farmers raise silk moths, and these silk moths are given one job and one job alone: to lay eggs. A female silk moth can lay anywhere from 300 to 500 eggs. After laying these eggs, it dies. The eggs left by the mother moth are then incubated for 7 to 14 days in relatively warm temperatures ranging from 75–85°F. Once they hatch, little silkworms are born, and they are then put on an exclusive diet of mulberry leaves for about a month or until they are strong enough to spin their own cocoon (which takes another 3 to 8 days).

Next, silk is harvested from the cocoons. Some prefer to boil the cocoon to unravel the silk in the cocoon. This method keeps the fiber intact, which means it will not break, so you get a long, continuous strand, making it very flexible and versatile for weaving. However, this method kills the moth inside. To prevent this, others prefer to wait until the moth emerges out of the cocoon. It breaks the fiber, but its quality does not change. After all of this, the fibers are now ready for weaving. Different manufacturers weave silk in different ways. It all comes down to preference. 

This long and extensive process, along with the natural qualities of mulberry silk, is one of the main reasons mulberry silk is so expensive. 

Caring for Mulberry Silk 

Given that mulberry silk products are pricier than their regular counterparts, it's only right that you, as a consumer, do your due diligence on caring for them to make them last longer so you can get every penny's worth out of it. Here are some tips to help you care for your mulberry silk pieces better. 

1. Wash regularly- mulberry silk is hypoallergenic. It also has antibacterial properties, which is why it's so great for your skin. This doesn't mean that you can get away with not washing them. Wash your silk sheets and pillowcases regularly to continue enjoying the benefits you get from them. Doing this also prolongs their life and prevents damage. 
2. Use mild detergent- avoid strongly-fragranced detergents and those that contain bleach when washing your mulberry silk pieces. These can destroy the fabric and ruin your piece. The best detergent to use for silk is anything that's pH-balanced. There are also detergents specially formulated for silk, so try to get your hands on those. 
3. Forget about fabric softener- silk is already soft; no need for fabric conditioner to make it feel extra soft. Most fabric conditioners also leave a residue on fabrics, even after they dry, which can damage your mulberry silk piece. 
4. Use cold water- experts recommend washing mulberry silk with cold water only, as warm water can cause significant damage to the fabric, so make sure the temperatures below 80F or 27C. 
5. Air dry only- as mentioned previously, too much heat can damage mulberry silk. This is why it should only be hung to air dry and never dried in the dryer. Because silk is thin and lightweight, airdrying it shouldn't take too long. 
6. Keep away from direct sunlight- the sun can bring out natural silk's luxurious luster, but prolonged exposure to the sun can cause discoloration on the material. Keep your silk sheets and pillowcases away from direct sunlight when storing them. If drying, hang it somewhere shaded and airy instead of hanging it directly under the sun like regular clothes. 
7. Iron gently- after washing, you might start seeing light wrinkles on your silk sheets or silk pillowcases. To get rid of these, iron your mulberry silk piece using the lowest setting on your iron. If it's still too hot, place a thin-ish piece of fabric in between the iron and the silk to lessen the amount of heat that; goes on the silk. 

Authentic mulberry silk can be challenging to find. If you're looking for silk sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding necessities made with the highest-quality mulberry silk, make sure to visit only thxsilk.com.