Silk Guide
Why Silk?
Wearing and sleeping in silk has a few additional benefits that are beneficial to your body and skin health. Most of these benefits comes from the fact that silk is a natural animal fiber and thus contains the essential amino acids a human body needs for various purposes such as skin repair and hair rejuvenation. Since silk is made by silk worms to protect them from outside harm during their cocoon phase, it also has the natural ability to expel unwanted substances such as bacteria, fungi and other insects, making it naturally hypo-allergenic.
Skin-care and Sleep-promoting
Pure mulberry silk is composed of animal protein containing 18 essential amino acids, which is known for its effectiveness in skin nourishment and aging prevention. Most importantly, the amino acid is able to give out a special molecule substance which makes people peaceful and calm, promoting sleep throughout the night.
Absorptive of Moisture and Breathable
Silk-fibroin in silkworm is capable of absorbing and transpiring sweat or moisture, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter, especially for those allergenic sufferers, eczema and those who stay in bed for long period of time. That's why dermatologists and doctors always recommend silk bedding for their patients.
Anti-bacterial and Wonderfully Soft and Smooth
Unlike other chemical fabrics, silk is the most natural fiber extracted from the silkworm, and the weaves are much tighter that of other textiles. The sericin contained in silk prevents the invasion of mites and dust efficiently. In addition, silk has a similar structure of a human's skin, which makes silk product wonderfully soft and anti-static.
What's Momme in silk?
Mommes (mm), is a unit used to measure the quality of silk fabrics. 1 momme = 4.340 grams per square meter. Normally, the higher the momme weight, the more durable the weave, the more luxurious the fabric is, the more expensive it becomes. However, it does not necessarily mean that the higher momme weight the more suitable. For instance, it would be too heavy to put on 25mm silk sleepwear. It's a question of making choices according to its purposes.
What’s Charmeuse, Crepe de Chine, Mulberry silk?
Charmeuseand Crepe de Chine silk, technically aren’t two types of material as Mulberry silk does; they both are silk fabrics made with a particular way of weaving, that can be made from all kinds of different silk including Mulberry silk.
Charmeuse: Extra luster and shine, looks very luxurious; lightweight and smooth; very friendly to skin and hair; excellent insulator, cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Suitable for pillowcases, bedding sheets, nightwear, dresses, shirts, and pants, etc.
Crepe de Chine: Super lightweight and breathable, very comfortable to wear; great durability and excellent wrinkle resistance; a light pearl luster; very friendly to the skin and hair. Perfect material for elegant slacks, skirts, dresses, suits, and evening wear.
How to Wash Silk?
For Hand wash which is always the best and safest method for washing particularly delicate items like silk:
Step 1. Fill a basin with <= lukewarm water 30°C/86°F.
Step 2. Add a few drops of special detergent.
Step 3. Let the garment soak for three minutes.
Step 4. Agitate the delicates around in the water.
Step 5. Rinse the silk item <= lukewarm water (30℃/86°F).
Step 6. Use a towel to soak up water after the wash.
Step 7. Do Not Tumble Dry. Hang the garment to dry. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
For machine wash, there is more risk involved, and certain precautions must be taken to minimize them:
Step 1. Sort the laundry.
Step 2. Use a protective mesh bag. Turn your silk item inside out and place it in a delicates mesh bag to avoid the shearing and tearing of silk fibers.
Step 3. Add the proper amount of neutral or special detergent for silk to the machine.
Step 4. Start a delicate cycle.
Step 5. Minimize spin time. Spinning can be very dangerous for silk fabric as the forces involved can shear weaker silk fibers.
Step 6. Use a towel to soak up water after the wash.
Step 7. Do Not Tumble Dry. Hang item or lay flat to dry. Avoid direct sunlight exposure.
How to Iron Silk?
Step 1. Prep the Fabric.
The fabric must always be damp when ironing. Keep a spray bottle handy and consider ironing the garment immediately after it’s been hand-washed. Turn the garment inside out while ironing.
Step 2. Focus on Steam, Not Heat.
It’s crucial that you use the lowest heat setting on your iron. Many irons have an actual silk setting, in which case this is the best way to go. Simply lay the garment flat on the ironing board, place the press cloth on top, and then iron. You can also use a handkerchief, pillowcase, or hand towel instead of a press cloth.
Step 3. Pressing vs.Ironing.
Minimize ironing back and forth. When ironing silk, focus on key areas of wrinkling. Gently press downward through the press cloth. Lift the iron, allow the area to briefly cool, and then repeat on another section of fabric. Minimizing the length of time the iron is in contact with the fabric (even with the press cloth) will prevent the silk from burning.
Step 4. Avoid Further Wrinkling.
During ironing, make sure that each section of fabric is laid perfectly flat. Also, ensure that the garment is taut to avoid creating new wrinkles. Before taking your clothing off the board, make sure that it’s cool and dry. This will help your hard work pay off in smooth, wrinkle-free silk.