Mulberry Silk is one-of-a-kind, soft to the touch, and luxurious in appeal. It first hit the markets thousands of years ago in China, where it was first produced, and it’s become one of the most sought-after silk materials worldwide.
This material has earned top praise in the sleepwear industry, mostly used in making pillowcases and bed covers. Thanks to its unmatched suppleness and softness, Mulberry Silk offers nothing but comfort and luxury. Besides, its incredible breathability and almost intuitive temperature-regulating properties make it a perfect bedding material. Its elegance and style make it pop out among the most aesthetic bedding materials, and its incomparable durability makes it the best value for money.
Mulberry Silk is rarefied, vastly different from other silks in so many ways, and a reason we widely adopt it at MANITO Silk, where we specialize in meticulously crafted collections made from premium Mulberry Silk. From how it’s produced to how it feels and looks, there’s always a reason it enchants.
But what is Mulberry Silk, and why is it so popular? This article explains why Mulberry Silk stands out among the vast pool of available silks and other conventional fabrics worldwide.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Mulberry Silk
- Different Types of Silks
- Mulberry Silk Vs. Other Kinds of Silk
- The Benefits of Mulberry Silk
- Eco-Friendly Aspects
- Conclusion
Understanding Mulberry Silk
Mulberry Silk is unique, originating from Mobus Alba, a tree native to China. Ideally, the plant doesn’t produce silk on its own. Instead, the bombyx mori moth that feeds on the leaves produces it, and farmers harvest it from its cocoon. Right before morphing into an adult, the moth-usually a caterpillar at this stage-only feeds on white mulberry leaves. That ensures the cocoon material largely contains all elements that make Mulberry Silk.
The silkworms producing Mulberry Silk are authentically wild but became domesticated in China and Japan over 5000 years ago for sericulture. They usually form a protective cocoon to protect the pupa during metamorphosis. Farmers feed the caterpillar solely with mulberry leaves during this time to create the highest quality silk.
For centuries, this form of sericulture has resulted in high-quality silk, now wildly available worldwide. Its influence in luxury silk fabrics is profound, as the material has become the go-to for most brands that seek to trade opulence and class to their customers. The key reason for this wide adoption is the exceptional quality that silkworms render, which no other silk matches.
Different Types of Silks
Currently, various types of silks are available. However, their quality never seems to match Mulberry Silk’s, although they still ooze class in their measure.
Tussah silk is the closest contender to Mulberry Silk that the silkworms of the Antheraea species produce. Other silks, including Muga, Spider, and Ahimsa, are also reasonably good quality, but not as frequently used.
While other silkworms feed on various plant leaves, Mulberry Silkworms feed solely on mulberry. Besides, Mulberry Silkworms are domesticated, and their silk production is monitored, unlike other silkworm varieties that produce silk in their natural habitat. Taming Mulberry Silkworms results in high-quality silk compared to the different alternatives that may be coarse and irregular in texture.
Mulberry Silk Vs. Other Kinds of Silk
Mulberry silk is considered the highest quality of silk available. It is typically more expensive than other types of silk due to its production process. Below are some of the differences between mulberry silk and other kinds of silk:
- Source: Mulberry silk comes from the cocoons of silkworms that feed exclusively on mulberry tree leaves. In contrast, other types of silk are derived from the cocoons of worms that consume a variety of plants, such as oak or pine.
- Quality: Mulberry silk is renowned for its fine texture, softness, and durability. The fibers produced by silkworms that consume mulberry leaves are longer and more uniform in size, resulting in a fabric that is stronger, smoother, and more lustrous.
- Price: Generally, mulberry silk commands a higher price than other types of silk due to its superior quality. This makes it particularly desirable for luxury items such as high-end clothing, bedding, and home decor.
- Availability: Mulberry silk is the most widely produced type of silk in the world, accounting for around 90% of global silk production. While other types of silk are also produced in significant quantities, they are less common.
The Benefits of Mulberry Silk
Mulberry Silk has rightfully earned its position at the top of the fabric echelon. It challenges fabrics like cotton, which have traditionally been considered the best for comfort and durability. Here are some reasons why Mulberry Silk stands out:
- Luxurious Texture and Feel: Mulberry Silk is exceptionally smooth and soft, offering an elegant and comfortable feel against the skin. This opulent touch makes it ideal for our high-quality sleepwear, lingerie, and other luxurious clothing items.
- Breathability and Temperature-Regulating Properties: The fabric’s natural qualities make it highly breathable, enabling air to circulate freely. This helps regulate body temperature, providing warmth in cold conditions and a cooling effect in hot weather.
- Hypoallergenic Properties and Benefits for Sensitive Skin: This fabric is less likely to cause skin irritations or allergies, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.
Eco-Friendly Aspects
Mulberry Silk checks all boxes for eco-friendly production. Silkworms exclusively feed on mulberry leaves, eliminating the need for chemical intervention. While some chemicals may be involved in processing, the silk industry, including MANITO Silk, is increasingly adopting sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact. Certifications in various areas, like organic silk production and ethical sericulture, contribute to these efforts.
Conclusion
Compared to other silks, Mulberry Silk is globally appreciated for its unique quality. While the silk industry offers a variety of silk qualities, the choice of raw materials ultimately rests with individual brands. MANITO Silk consistently strives to select the finest Mulberry Silk raw materials. Mulberry Silk is an eco-friendly natural fiber. Even though its lifespan is inherently shorter than that of cotton, it still offers advantages that traditional fabrics do not possess.
These benefits have given this fabric an equally deserving respect in sleepwear, and it’s the most commonly used material in lingerie, bed covers, and pillowcases. Its softness to the touch and gentility on the skin make it a less irritable material that can guarantee much-needed comfort.
When choosing silk sleepwear, make informed choices that align with your values. Look for eco-friendly certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX, ensuring they’re harmful substances-free. Support brands prioritizing ethical sericulture and “peace silk,” showing care for animal welfare.
Moreover, consider longevity and biodegradability to reduce your environmental impact.
