All About Silk

Mulberry silk comes from the cocoons or cocoons of the silkworm – Bombyx mori – whose diet consists of mulberry leaves. The environment of these silkworms is carefully controlled so that the larvae are enabled to produce what is considered the finest yarn on Earth. These luxurious threads are finer, smoother and more evenly colored than any other type of silk. Mulberry silk fibers are more than just beautiful. They are even stronger than steel fibers of the same diameter. All Méra silk products are made from 100% pure Mulberry silk.

Silk quality is measured in grades A, B or C, with grade A being the best. Class A silk is the highest quality silk from cocoons, which are pearly white in color. Grades of silk further vary in number, with 6A being the highest and best. Méra uses the highest quality 6A.

Momme is a unit of measure for the quality of silk. The basic measurement for momme is the weighing of a piece of silk that is 100 meters long and 45 centimeters wide: the silk will be rated X momme if such a piece of fabric weighs X kilograms. If the silk is heavier, a higher momme rating will be assigned and vice versa.

Higher momma weight means higher fiber quality (more rounded, supplier quality, more structurally compact) and denser weave. 19 momme silk is the quality benchmark for premium silk. Its smoothness, softness and durability are unmatched by any of the 12 and 16 momme silks commonly seen on the market and are a great entry point to high quality silk bedding and clothing. 22 and 25 momme silk is of even higher quality and much higher price, as it takes significantly longer to make than even 19 momme silk.

In general, silk can be classified by weight as follows:

– less than 12 momme: Traditionally used for light silk garments

– 12-16 momme: Used for silk scarves and other decorative pieces of clothing; occasionally used for bedding.

– 16-19 momme: Used for underwear and sleepwear. Fairly fragile silk and not really sustainable.

– 19 momme and up: durable enough for long-lasting bedding and sleepwear.

Méra provides 22mm measurements.

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was developed by European textile institutes that strive to find a way to reduce our environmental footprint. It is a global testing and accreditation program that successfully sets standards for testing harmful substances in consumer textiles. The textile can only be certified if all the components meet the submitted requirements.

Méra products are Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certified. This ensures that our products that you bring into your home are safe, natural and healthy.

Absolutely! Sleeping on silk versus satin is a completely different experience. Silk is a natural protein fiber, while satin is synthetic and usually petroleum-based. It does not have the properties of silk except for a similar appearance.

Yes, silk is actually best for sensitive skin! Silk is naturally hypoallergenic and non-irritating, making it the optimal choice for sensitive skin.

Silk is based on animal protein and has unique properties that make it good for hair and skin. Silk fibers are naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and resistant to mites and mould. Here are some of the many benefits of silk for hair and skin:

• with a smooth surface, it protects against hair damage
• silk proteins naturally hydrate the hair
• silk does not pull natural oils from the hair like other fabrics would, so there is no oil from the hair on the pillow that will later get on the skin and cause acne
• it is very breathable, so you won’t feel itchy
• silk has long, smooth, soft and gentle fibers that do not rub or irritate the skin
• because silk doesn’t retain moisture like other fabrics, there is less bacteria, fungus, mold, etc. that can make allergies worse…

Silk pillowcases reduce sleep wrinkles by reducing friction on sensitive skin and the fabric’s moisture-wicking properties help the skin retain moisture.

You can hand wash silk at home using these instructions: Use a neutral liquid detergent and fabric softener. Silk is a natural fiber and washing in a solution that is too acidic or alkaline can cause the silk to stiffen in a single wash. Therefore, use a detergent that has a neutral Ph. Do not use bleaching products. Wash it by hand in cold water, no more than 30 degrees Celsius. Air dry it, but be careful not to expose the silk to direct sunlight, as it may lose its true color. Another option is to take your silk products to a dry cleaner.

Silk is poorly absorbent, which is good news for your skin, as night creams are absorbed into the face and not into the pillow. It does not pull natural oils from the hair like other fabrics would. But if you use a lot of oils in your skin care routine and you see that it has stained your silk pillowcase, don’t worry. When washing, you can use “spot treatment” – we tested Omino Bianca and Vanish – both are approved for washing silk.

Chinese silk is absolutely of the highest quality in the world. Many of the silk products listed from European countries are made either from raw silk from China that appeared in other locations, or from Chinese cloth that is then processed into a finished product from that country. Silk was first discovered in China over 4,000 years ago, and today China is building on this legacy.

Please contact us at [email protected] and we will be happy to help!