Key takeaways:
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Mulberry silk comes from silkworms that eat mulberry leaves.
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Mulberry silk has a smooth, lustrous texture and is very strong.
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Mulberry silk helps regulate temperature and moisture for better sleep.
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Blissy sells high-quality real mulberry silk products that are OEKO-TEX certified.
Is Mulberry Silk Real Silk? (Quick Answer)
Yes — mulberry silk is real silk, and it’s widely considered the finest type. Sourced from silkworms fed only mulberry leaves, it produces long, smooth fibers with a luxurious feel and natural sheen. It’s breathable, hypoallergenic, and ideal for pillowcases that protect hair and skin.
When you find mulberry silk pillowcases or mulberry silk bedding, you might wonder if you're really getting genuine silk. The good news is that mulberry silk is real silk. In fact, it's some of the highest-quality silk you can get.
Purchasing this kind of silk fabric means you're getting the softest and smoothest silk available. Mulberry silk is a natural fiber, which sets it apart from synthetic alternatives (satin) and makes it an eco-friendly choice.
Knowing more about this kind of pure silk can help you appreciate all of the benefits it offers. The fiber type is what distinguishes real silk, like mulberry silk, from synthetic satin—satin refers to the weave, while mulberry silk is prized for its natural fiber composition.
Check out the following information about pure mulberry silk, including its history and properties.
Where Does Mulberry Silk Come From?
Mulberry silk has been around for thousands of years. A 2022 study published in Heliyon states that this natural silk started being produced in China more than 5,000 years ago. Find out more about the fascinating history of silk as an ancient tradition.
Where do these silk fibers come from in the first place? They're from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori moth.
When these moths are still in caterpillar (silkworm) form, they eat a steady diet of white mulberry leaves from the mulberry tree. The cocoons they create end up having long strands of pure white fibers. Silk harvesters gather these strong strands and weave them into silk fabrics for pillowcases, sheets, and other products.
6 Reasons Mulberry Silk Is Unique
Mulberry silk is considered the best quality silk for many reasons. This natural silk offers some great benefits in terms of its appearance, quality, and strength.
1. Gorgeous sheen
Pure mulberry silk has a beautiful sheen that gives it a lustrous look. Whether it's used for pillowcases or loungewear, it always provides a touch of luxury.
2. Smooth texture
This type of silk also has a super soft texture that's smooth to the touch. Sleeping on a mulberry silk pillowcase or wearing a robe made from this natural fabric feels soothing on your skin.
3. Impressive strength
While mulberry silk strands might seem delicate, they're actually incredibly durable. Each long strand of this silk offers a ton of strength that helps it stay in good condition.
4. Hydrating and cooling
Mulberry silk is also good for your skin and hair. Its hydrating properties mean you'll have a lower risk of having dry hair and skin. It also has a cooling effect, which is ideal for better beauty sleep. A 2012 study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that the right thermal environment helps improve sleep quality.
5. Moisture wicking
Mulberry silk also has moisture-wicking properties. A 2012 study in Frontiers in Life Science states that mulberry silk's proteins allow it to easily absorb moisture and release it. This helps keep you from getting sweaty while trying to sleep.
6. Hypoallergenic
With mulberry silk being hypoallergenic, you also don't have to worry about having an allergic reaction to this fabric. Instead, this silk feels comfortable and cool against your skin.
Mulberry Silk vs. Other Types of Silk
Mulberry silk isn't the only type of silk out there, but they're not all created equally. The others, known as eri silk, muga silk, and tussar silk, have different appearances, textures, and properties. How do these other materials compare to mulberry silk?
| Silk Type | Appearance | Texture | Weight | Ideal Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulberry | Naturally white, uniformly colored | Smoothest, softest | Lightweight | Bedding, pillowcases, versatile |
| Muga | Brownish-gold | Soft (less than mulberry) | Lightweight | Apparel, traditional garments |
| Eri | Reddish, white, or off-white | Wooly, like cotton | Heavier | Apparel, eco-textiles |
| Tussar | Deep gold, uneven coloring | Rougher | Lightweight | Saris, traditional wear |
Bedding and pillowcases are ideal uses for mulberry silk because it enhances the comfort and appearance of the bed. Its softness, durability, and natural sheen make the bed look luxurious and inviting, which is why mulberry silk is a popular choice for luxury bedding.
Appearance
Mulberry silk is the only silk type with a naturally white color. Mulberry silk is often woven in a charmeuse weave, which gives the fabric a luminous, smooth front and a matte reverse, making it especially desirable for luxury bedding and apparel. Satin weave is a another weaving technique commonly used for silk fabrics, contributing to its shiny look.
Muga silk has a brownish-gold color, while eri silk can be reddish, white, or off-white. Tussar silk has a deep gold color. Unlike mulberry silk, which is a uniformly colored fabric, tussar tends to have uneven coloring.
Texture
Mulberry silk offers the smoothest, softest texture. Eri silk's texture is more wooly, like cotton, while tussar silk is rougher. Muga silk has a soft texture, but it doesn't match mulberry silk's softness.
Properties and Uses
Mulberry is lightweight, like tussar and muga silk. Eri silk tends to be heavier. The ideal uses of these silks also differ. Mulberry silk is the most versatile, making it a good choice for bedding, pillowcases, and other items. Its many properties, from cooling effects to hypoallergenic properties, set it apart from other silks.
Common Myths and Misconceptions About Mulberry Silk
Despite being a real silk, misconceptions about mulberry silk are still around. What are a few of these myths?
Myth: Mulberry silk is slippery
It's soft and lustrous, but not as slippery as satin. Mulberry silk won't catch on your skin either as satin and cotton can.
Myth: Mulberry silk needs to be dry cleaned
You can wash your mulberry silk pillowcase in your washing machine or by hand. No need to go out of your way to bring your mulberry silk items to the dry cleaners.
Myth: Mulberry silk is too delicate and won't last long
Mulberry silk might seem like it has a short lifespan, since it's so soft and lightweight. That's not the case, though. The durability of mulberry silk means it lasts for a long time, even with regular washing.
Blissy's Commitment to the Finest Quality Silk
How can you know for sure that you're getting pure mulberry silk when you buy Blissy products? Whether you're purchasing a Blissy Silk Pillowcase or Blissy Silk Sleep Mask, you can count on having the real thing. Our products are made with genuine silk.
As part of our commitment to the highest quality, our silk products have OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification. What does this mean? Our silk products undergo a production process that requires strict standards.
This helps ensure that your Blissy Silk Robe or Blissy Silk Pillowcase doesn't contain any harmful substances. Instead, you're purchasing silk products that are environmentally friendly and safe for your body.
Browse Blissy's Mulberry Silk Collection Today
Eager to experience the benefits of pure mulberry silk? Visit Blissy to see our full selection of 100% mulberry silk products, from pillowcases and robes to hair products and sleep masks. Each product is made from high-grade silk to ensure quality and durability.
