Mulberry silk: why is it the best?
Mulberry silk is the highest quality silk available. It comes from a domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves: this controlled diet produces a continuous, long, and regular thread (up to 1,500 m in one piece). The result: an ultra-smooth surface, much less friction for hair and skin, and much better durability than wild silk, satin, or polyester. The quality benchmark to demand: Grade 6A.
You've probably already read terms like wild silk, satin, polyester, mulberry silk… and everyone promises the same benefits. It's difficult, then, to distinguish real high-end silk from a fabric that is simply "shiny". Here, we clarify things: what is mulberry silk, why it costs more, and what concrete difference it makes on your pillow.
1. Mulberry silk: a true designation, not a slogan
Mulberry silk comes from the Bombyx mori, fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves. This controlled diet produces a more regular, naturally whiter, and longer thread than "wild" silk. Conversely, wild silkworms eat whatever they find: their thread is shorter, more irregular, and often requires chemical treatments to be bleached.
2. What it changes for your hair and skin
A. A continuous thread that remains smooth over time
A mulberry silk cocoon can produce up to 1,500 meters of a single thread. Fewer breaks = fewer friction points in the fabric. This allows the pillowcase to retain its smooth and soft appearance, even after several washes, if care instructions are followed.
B. A naturally less aggressive surface
Under a microscope, a cotton thread resembles a twisted strand full of asperities. A mulberry silk thread is closer to a regular cylinder. Friction is reduced: hair tangles less, does not "snag" on the cover, and skin marks less during the night. This is exactly what differentiates silk from cotton, which damages hair at night.
C. A protein fiber close to the skin
Mulberry silk contains proteins (fibroin and sericin) and 18 amino acids. Without promising a "treatment" effect in the cosmetic sense, this composition offers a softer contact and does not absorb your night creams like classic cotton does.
3. Why is Grade 6A mentioned?
Seeing "100% silk" on a label is not enough: quality primarily depends on the grade.
- Grades B / C: remnants of cocoons, short threads, rough feel.
- Grade A: good quality, more regular thread.
- Grade 6A: the best selection, longest and most homogeneous threads.
To decipher labels in detail, read our guide on how to read a silk quality label. Our pillowcases are made of Grade 6A mulberry silk, for a consistent feel and better durability over time.
4. Mulberry silk, wild silk, satin: what's what?
| Criterion | Mulberry Silk (6A) | Wild Silk | Polyester Satin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Smooth and soft | Rougher | Artificially slippery |
| Breathability | Very good | Decent | Low (sweating) |
| Care | Delicate wash 30°C | Delicate wash | Can melt when hot |
Satin, by the way, is not a material but a weave: most "satin pillowcases" at low prices are made of polyester. To understand everything, see our comparison silk or satin: what are the differences.
-5% off the entire collection of Grade 6A mulberry silk pillowcases with code BLOGSOIE5.
So, should you pay more for mulberry silk?
Yes, if the quality is verifiable. A Grade 6A mulberry silk lasts for years, does not pill and remains soft wash after wash. The real trap is paying the price of mulberry silk for silk of an unknown grade. To understand the price differences, read why the price of a silk pillowcase varies so much, and if you're still undecided, our guide everything you need to know before buying.
Discover our Grade 6A mulberry silk pillowcasesGrade 6A · OEKO-TEX® · Free delivery · 30-day returnsFrequently Asked Questions
What is mulberry silk?
It is the silk produced by the Bombyx mori silkworm, fed exclusively on white mulberry leaves. This diet produces a long, regular and naturally white thread, which is higher quality than wild silk.
What is the difference between mulberry silk and wild silk?
Mulberry silk has a continuous, smooth and regular thread. Wild silk has a shorter and more irregular thread, a rougher feel, and often requires treatments to be bleached.
Is mulberry silk better than satin?
Yes. Satin is a weave, often made of polyester: it is slippery but has none of the biological properties of real silk (breathability, amino acids, non-absorption of skincare products).
What is Grade 6A?
It is the highest grade of silk: long, homogeneous threads that produce the smoothest surface. Without a grade mention, the quality of the silk is unknown.
How to recognize real mulberry silk?
The flame test: real silk burns slowly, smells like burnt horn and leaves a friable grey ash. Polyester melts, sticks and smells like plastic.