Where does mulberry silk originate and how is it made? In a minute, you are going to learn 5 of the ways it is considered eco-friendly. But first, let’s zero-in on mulberry silk; considered to be the highest quality silk on the market.
What is mulberry silk?
Not only is mulberry silk the highest quality silk, but it is also the most widely available thanks to the high demand for fibres of the finest quality in particular in luxury fashion. The first step in developing the silk itself is the rearing of the silkworms which only feed on mulberry leaves. It then spins a cocoon of pure silk as it enters metamorphous. Cocoons are often placed in hot water to help loosen the silk fibres so that they can be collected; however, this is unethical and often unnecessary as it subsequently kills the silkworm. A better way to handle the rest of the process is to allow the silk-moth to naturally emerge from its cocoon and use the pierced silk to spin into your favourite silk products. Production of mulberry silk is indeed an art itself.
Fun fact: A silkworm multiplies x10,000 its size in just one month. This growth rate is more than any other animal, and equal to a new-born baby growing to 33,000kg in 30 days!
Mulberry silk is shiny and extremely soft. This type of silk is used to make luxury scarves, undergarments, bedding, and more. If you are trying to transform your lifestyle to be more sustainable, you may be wondering whether mulberry silk is eco-friendly. Yes, it is a natural fibre, and you are about to discover more about why it is considered to be an eco-friendly material.
The Popularity Of Mulberry Silk
Mulberry Silk is the queen of fabrics, not only satisfying consumers but satisfying environmental standards. Weddings and evening dresses are often made from this silk. As you learn about the eco-friendly advantages of using this material, it is evident as to why it is the undisputed champion of all fabrics and fibres. For example, mulberry silk is included in all Seresilk skincare products thanks to its innumerable benefits which in short focus on motivating and assisting your skin cells do their job of rejuvenating, replacing, regulating, and refreshing skin – empowering your skin to do its natural job – without being too greasy, stripping, or harsh thanks to the large number of amino acids present in each fibre.
Reduces Carbon Footprint
According to the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the production of synthetic materials and even cotton production have a far greater carbon footprint than mulberry silk. Not only is the actual silk material going to help you reduce your carbon footprint, but the silk can also be used to help make low-impact dyes. This means the silk helps further reduce your carbon footprint by contributing to fabric colouring in an eco-friendly fashion.
Biodegradable
Another eco-friendly plus to mulberry silk is the fact that it is biodegradable. On top of being biodegradable, it is also a highly durable fabric. The strength of this type of silk is ironic considering it is such a soft and welcoming material. Experts at environmentally friendly ecommerce store, Buy Eco Wise, believe purchasing high quality products is a great way to become greener due to the fact that it leads to a longer usage life and therefore less waste. Since Silk is biodegradable, it can even be composted or used in mulch at the end of its usage life. Many other fabrics have to be tossed in the dump, where they sit for years, harming the environment.
Durability
The strength and durability of mulberry silk were mentioned, and that is yet another reason why it is also considered to be an eco-friendly material. Yet what you do not know yet is that not only is mulberry silk durable, but it is considered to be one of the most durable natural fibres on the market. To give you an example, you can expect mulberry silk bedding materials to last up to 20 years. That said, natural resources are used in production and subsequently, fewer natural resources are used for continued production.
Sustainability
Raising silkworms is very sustainable, and the production of the silk leaves such a small carbon footprint that it is near zero. Global fabric production guidelines are certainly satisfied, and this makes mulberry silk one of the most sustainable materials.
Advances Sustainability Of The Mulberry Trees
Approximately 100 silkworms feed off of one mulberry tree. This translates to one acre of trees providing food for silkworms to produce up to 35 pounds of raw mulberry silk. Silk farming advances the sustainability of mulberry trees because they are the source of food for silkworms.
Final Thoughts
Going green and focusing on sustainability in this day and age is highly important. While you have many avenues to consider, opting to farm or simply use organic silk is a step in the right direction. Mulberry silk is highly sustainable and is known for its low carbon footprint. This eco-friendly material is one of the best on the market, and it just so happens to be quite luxurious as well.
We will continue to zero-in on the topics explored briefly in this story. Interested in finding out more about silk in skincare? Join the Seresilk mailing list and message content@seresilk.com.au for any topics you'd like to see covered in future articles.