1. Buy only 100% pure silk
- Purchase silk item that is labelled with 100% pure silk. Silk pillowcase is a luxury item and the cost of producing it is very expensive. Therefore, usually it will be labelled if it is 100% pure silk to avoid any confusion. Buyers tend to be confuse with satin pillowcase which looks almost similar to a silk pillowcase. And people tend to believe that satin pillowcase is a great alternative to silk pillowcase. Satin is definitely not an alternative for silk just because they look almost similar.
- Satin is widely available and comparatively way cheaper compared to Mulberry silk. Satin is a polyester fiber, which means that it is made from plastic polymers and petroleum. In hot regions like Asia, Africa and Middle East, satin makes you sweat profusely which could cause skin irritation and allergies. Satin is not a breathable fabric
- Silk on the other hand, is a breathable fabric and a natural temperature regulator, silk helps the body retain heat in cold weather while heat is expelled in warm weather, along with it being anti-bacterial and anti- allergic.
2. Look for mulberry silk
- When you have determined that your silk pillowcase is made of 100% pure silk. The next thing that you have to do is look for silk pillowcases that is made of 100% pure mulberry silk. Silk can be made from a variety of different silkworms and all carry different qualities and features.
- Mulberry silk is the highest quality silk available for purchase. The unique about Mulberry silk is how it is produce. Mulberry silk has its history in China, where local farmers grow Mulberry trees and harvest the leaves for silkworms to feed on. The resulting cocoons are spun into raw silk fibers.
- Because the silkworms of Bombyx mori are fed only Mulberry leaves, the resulting silk is some of the finest available in the world.
3. Charmeuse weave
- This technique allows the silk to bring out a reflective, smooth and lustrous quality at the front side and back of the fabric retains a dull finish
- Silk charmeuse weave is smooth and luxurious to touch and feel. Therefore, buy a charmeuse weave pillowcase labelled 100% pure mulberry silk for luxurious experience and beauty benefit.
4. Momme (the weight)
- Yes, you need to check the weight of the silk before buying it! Momme is the measurement used to indicate the weight of the silk. The higher the momme weight, the more durable the weave, the more luxurious the fabric is, the more suitable it is for heavy duty use, and the longer the shelf life. Quality silk ranges between 19 – 22 momme.
- Watch out for false claims of momme. Some suppliers measure the momme at different stages during the production rather than at the end.
- Therefore, check the momme of any silk pillowcase that you are considering. The higher the momme the more expensive it will be. Buyers need to beware if the momme is not clearly displayed.
5. Grades of silk
- Silk quality is graded with A, B and C. Grade A is the highest quality long strand silk from cocoons.
- Grade A is further divided into A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A with 6A being the highest and finest grade. The higher the grade the more expensive the silk will be because it has better quality.
6. The price
- Not all silk pillowcases are created equal. It comes in various range of price and qualities. Therefore, do a comparison before making a decision. In Silkrush we take our brand values seriously and we believe in delivering the best silk products with the best balance of strength, aesthetics and affordability.