All About Our Slik

SILK 101

All About Our Silk

Here at Mommesilk, we take our products seriously. All of our fabrics are 100% grade 6A mulberry silk. We have two momme counts( 22 momme and 19 momme), making it uniquely suited for specific uses.

What Is Mulberry Silk

Mulberry silk refers to the silk made from the cocoons of the larvae of mulberry silkworms reared in captivity. The entire production process has been carefully monitored. And the environment of the silkworm larvae is also strictly controlled.

These allow for the larvae to spin silk threads that are rounder, more excellent, smoother, lighter, and more uniformly colored than any other type of silk in the world. Mulberry silk fibers are also firm, easily beating steel fibers of the same diameter in strength and durability.

What Is Momme And Thread Count

During the process of silk production, the silk factory will adjust the density and yarn count of the silk thread to control the weight or momme of the fabric.

Mommes

Thread count

Mommes

Mommes (mm), is a unit traditionally used to measure the quality of silk fabrics. One momme = 4.340 grams per square meter; 8 mommes is approximately 1 ounce per square yard or 35 grams per square meter.

Thread count

Thread count or threads per inch (TPI) is a measure of the coarseness or fineness of certain fabrics, most notably cotton. While it is not the definitive measurement of the quality of silk fabrics, it is good for reference when you purchase silk online. It is measured by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric or one square centimeter, including both the length (warp) and width (weft) threads. The thread count is the number of threads counted along two sides (up and across) of the square inch, added together.

Weaves of Pure Silk	Typical Momme (mm) Range
Gauze	3 to 5 momme
Organza	4 to 6 momme
Chiffon	6 to 8 momme
Crepe de Chine	12 to 16 momme
Charmeuse	12 to 30 momme (typically used in a silk pillowcase or sheets)
Raw silk	35 to 40 momme (this is very heavy silk with texture)

Our 22 Momme silk pillowcase has a thread count of 600+ and 19 Momme silk pajama has a thread count of 400.

Normally, 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. But the heavier the silk, the more opaque it becomes. This can vary even between the same kind of silk. Therefore, it does not mean that you must always buy silk products with higher momme weight. For instance, it would be too heavy to put on 25mm silk sleepwear for the night. In a word, it is a question of making proper choices according to your own needs. Generally, all silks can be washed and the heavier ones can be washed repeatedly.

What Is The Difference Between Silk, Satin and Cotton?

Silk

Satin

Cotton

Silk

Silk fabric is made from a natural fiber produced from silkworms, popularly mulberry silk. Higth-quality silk is a fabric that has been manufactured for thousands of years and has maintained its reputation as a symbol of luxury.

Satin

Satin, on the other hand, is a man-made material made up of a mixture of satin, nylon, and polyester. Satin is more delicate than silk, so it needs more careful handling. It does not shimmer, but it does have a glossy appearance.

Cotton

Cotton is a strong fiber but the strength is largely affected by moisture, as its wet strength is 20% (much higher than dry strength) Cotton has better breathing capability.

Cotton can often be stronger than silk in some cases, as silk does require extra due care and special attention to ensure it retains its durable properties to make it last. But silk has a natural thermometer that helps cool you down in the hotter weather then amping up the insulation when the temperatures drop. To get that effect from cotton you have to add or remove layers.

Silk is the same on both sides, while the manufacturing process leaves satin with a dull flat back. Satin is shrunk or Stretch whenever we just wash in hot water. So be more careful when you just washed your satin fabric. You always checked and watched the washing instructions label which is coming on that fabric.

If you wish to repose in pure luxury, then silk is the way to go. Your hair, skin, and inner natural beauty will thank you for it.

How To Identify Real Silk

	Genuine silk	Fake silk
Flames	Burning genuine silk produces a smell very similar to that of burning human hair. The flame is close to invisible when burning the edge of the real silk fabric. Very soon after the flame source is taken away from the fabric, the silk will self-extinguish.	Most fake silk are in fact petroleum based polyester products. When burned, these materials tend to combust rapidly in intense flames, and give a smell of burning plastic.
Ashes	The ash from burning is black, crispy and turns to powder easily when grinded.	The ash of fake silk tend to be sticky, twisted, and difficult to break apart.

How To Identify Real Silk

Flames

- Genuine quality silk: Burning genuine silk produces a smell very similar to that of burning human hair. The flame is close to invisible when burning the edge of the real silk fabric. Very soon after the flame source is taken away from the fabric, the silk will self-extinguish.

- Fake silk: Most fake silk are in fact petroleum based polyester products. When burned, these materials tend to combust rapidly in intense flames, and give a smell of burning plastic.

Ashes

- Genuine silk: The ash from burning is black, crispy and turns to powder easily when grinded.

- Fake silk: The ash of fake silk tend to be sticky, twisted, and difficult to break apart.

What Makes Silk So Great?

Silk is the King (or Queen) of fabrics, so it’s no wonder it has many benefits that give it this most deserved title. Rare and luxurious, here’s just a few reasons to love this material.

1. 100% Natural Fiber

Silk is a 100% natural fiber obtained from the cocoons of silkworms. The Cocoons are softened in water and filaments are unwound and woven together to create silk threads. It is lustrous, and smooth drapes well and is very strong.

According to science, silk is made of strings of amino acids with the same ph level as our skin, it is naturally hypo-allergic, natural mulberry silk containing sericin, a protein that reduces the possibility of an allergic reaction and thus is beneficial for those who suffer sensitive skin and itchy skin, such as (rosacea and eczema).

2. Anti Aging & Reduce Hair Breakage

Do you sometimes wake up with creases on your face? Rougher materials, like cotton, is a very absorbent fabric that draws moisture from your face and hair. Silk doesn't absorb moisture as much, and also reduces friction between your skin and the pillow.

The natural properties of silk, including its smooth surface, can help reduce friction which often causes damage, such as split ends. Hence, you'll wake up with nourished, tangle-free hair instead of fragile hair!

3. Enhance Sleep

The temperature regulating properties of the silk pillowcase allows you to keep cool at all times during the night without the discomfort associated with fluctuating temperature and the constant tossing and turning for restful night sleep.

Silk pajamas are designed to allow air to flow more freely and thus regulate your body heat. The result is your body stays cool in summer and warm in winter.

How To Care Silk

No matter what kind of silk products, in order to maintain the luster and texture of silk,you need to pay attention to it when you care.

We need to emphasize that silk is hand wash and dry clean in traditional. Ours are of the highest quality so they are machine washable, but they are still silk and need as much care as we can give them.

As to the care of silk products, please follow the instructions below.

HAND WASHING

MACHINE WASHING

HAND WASHING

*Handwashing is always the best and safest method for washing particularly delicate items like silk. (some may prefer DRY CLEAN).

1. Fill a basin with <= lukewarm water 30°C/86°F.

Fill a basin with <= lukewarm water 30°C/86°F is the ideal temperature for silk to be hand-washed.

2.Add a few drops of special detergent for the silk delicates

We recommend TENESTAR as the brand of specialized silk cleaner agents for our products. Woolite and other mild detergents can also be used.

3. Let the garment soak for three minutes.

Soak the silk item and leave it to soak for three minutes.

4. Agitate the delicates around in the water.

Take the silk item and gently plunge it up and down in the water to move the water through the fabric and wash out any dirt or residue. This motion simulates the motion of a washing machine but is much more gentle.

5. Rinse the silk item <= lukewarm water (30°C/86°F).

Take the silk item out of the water and rinse the silk item under the clean water till it runs clear, and all the detergent soap suds have been washed out.

6. Use a towel to soak up water after the wash.

Use a clean white towel to soak up the moisture from your silk item, but don’t rub or wring the thing.

7. Hang the garment to dry.

Hang dry if possible; however, avoid direct sunlight exposure. Note: For a knitted item, it should be laid flat to dry. A drying rack basket recommended.

MACHINE WASHING

*For those without the time, patience, or just physically unable to hand-wash silk, our products can withstand machine washing as well. Of course, there is more risk involved, and certain precautions must be taken to minimize them.

1. Check the fabric care label.

Before you throw in the wash, check the tag to see if it can be machine washed. Some silk items may lose color or get damaged if you use machine washing.

2. Sort the laundry.

Wash different colors and fabric separately.

3. Use a protective mesh bag.

Turn your silk item inside out and place it in a delicate mesh bag to avoid the shearing and tearing of silk fibers.

4. Add the proper amount of neutral or special detergent for silk to the machine.

TENESTAR recommended as it is detergent specifically designed to care for silk items. Please follow the instruction on the bottle.

5. Start a delicate cycle.

Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Most washing tools should have a delicate setting. Some machines even have a silk setting specifically for cleaning silk washed out.

6. Minimize spin time.

Spinning can be very dangerous for silk fabric as the forces involved can shear weaker silk fibers.

7. Use a towel to soak up water after the wash.

Take the item out of the machine and use a clean white cloth to soak up excess moisture. Do not tumble dry.

8.Hang item or lay flat to dry.

Hang dry if possible; however, avoid direct sunlight exposure.
Note: For a knitted item, it should be laid flat to dry. A drying rack basket recommended.

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