You already know the benefits of silk as a pillowcase, a luxurious fabric to lay down delicate discerning skin on an evening, leaving you waking refreshed, blemish free and glowing. You know that silk protects every strand of hair, leaving your mane free from knots while adding a unique shine that only the best silk can bring.

You know that silk is the very best choice for ensuring your skincare regime works and you fight the signs of ageing. However, by choosing silk are you choosing to protect the planet, or harm it?

Harmful Fabrics for the Environment

Throughout history, and even today, many materials we cherish are harmful for the environment. Most of us are looking towards sustainable alternatives but this can often come at a cost. You may need to sacrifice comfort and luxury or compromise on the price, you may need to walk away fully from the fabrics that used to scream opulence and class.

Why Should I Avoid Synthetic Fibres?

Synthetic fibres such as polyester can mirror the appearance of natural fibres such as silk or cotton and often have a wider range of patterns and colours to choose from. This leads some people to choose these fabrics for their wardrobe or bedroom as they favour design over health. One may choose synthetic fibres due to the reduced cost but this is often due to slave labour, poor working conditions and mass produced unregulated stock.

The Five Reasons to Steer Away from Synthetic

1.     Man-made fibres to not allow skin to breathe or absorb oxygen which creates a fabric petri dish of bacteria as you sleep

2.     Synthetic fibres will not absorb perspiration, moisture or excess oils which leads to a build-up on the skin, clogged pores and breakouts

3.     These fibres set on fire quickly and burn rapidly

4.     Synthetic fibres don’t break down naturally over time, making them nonbiodegradable. This leads to landfill which harms our planet

5.     Fibres like these are notoriously made with harmful chemicals, abrasives, adhesives, bleach. These chemicals come into close contact with your skin as you sleep

6.     The sixth reason, as there are so many, is that they are more uncomfortable than natural fibres, they don’t flow or mould to the skin giving gorgeous silhouettes or the best night’s sleep.

Mulberry Silk and Our Planet

Not all silks are sustainable, yet Mulberry silk is. Specifically Grade 6A Mulberry silk. This silk is superior to others due to the construction of fibres, the creative process and the extraction of the mulberry silk threads.

How is Mulberry Silk Harvested?

Mulberry silk has its name as the silkworms feed on a delicious diet of Mulberry leaves. Mulberry trees grow quickly and are planted prolifically ensuring they benefit the planet, not harm it. Harvesting is a delicate operation as the threads of silk are carefully extracted from the cocoons of the silkworm (or caterpillar of the Mori Moth) before entering the careful process of being turned into pillowcase you love and adore today.

Mulberry Silk as a Sustainable Fabric

Not only is the production of Mulberry silk sustainable the fabric itself is biodegradable. No pesticides are used in the process of growing the Mulberry trees, nor fungicides, herbicides or other earth damaging nasties. In fact, silk production is over eight hundred times better for the environment than cotton production making this a miracle fabric. It feels great, it looks amazing, it is luxurious and opulent and it’s great for your conscience too.

Is All Silk Equal?

In order to produce the best pillowcases that protect our planet and clear our consciences we use Mulberry silk of the best grades. Not all types of silk are as sustainable as Mulberry silk and not all silk farms act ethically and empathetically to their workers. We ensure we only choose the silk that has a process to be proud of, from planting the mulberry bush to harvesting the silk and weaving the fabric. When you choose silk products from our range, be it silk scrunchies, pillowcases or eye masks, you can sleep peaceful and beautifully safe in the knowledge that you’ve made the best choice for you, and the world.

Explore our luxurious range of Mulberry silk products today or discover why silk is so good for the skin and hair in our silk blogs. However you start your silk journey, we’re grateful you chose to start it with us.