It is often very difficult to differentiate between a pure silk fabric and a fabric made from synthetic materials.
The problem is not so much the appearance of the fabric, which can be very similar in both cases, but rather, the benefits on the skin and hair , especially when it comes to bed linen or clothing.
Today, the most misleading fabrics are those labeled “satin”.
It is therefore important to understand that SILK is a MATERIAL while SATIN is only a WEAVING METHOD which consists of weaving the threads very tightly to obtain a shiny fabric.
Learn more about the difference between satin and silk
Learn about the different silk weaving methods
There is therefore silk satin, cotton satin but also polyester satin. This is why it is essential to always check from which material the fabric was woven before purchasing.
Some ways to identify real silk
The price.
Textiles marked “satin”, and which are priced very low compared to the usual prices of silk, are most certainly simple imitations of silk.
These textiles will be made from synthetic materials and therefore the mention “satin” refers to polyester satin and not silk satin.
Since silk has a high production cost, its selling price will also be high. It is therefore necessary to do several research in relation to market prices before making a purchase.
The label.
The material from which the fabric is made is always specified on the label.
A high quality silk fabric should be 100% mulberry silk . A mix between different types of silk can alter the quality.
The colour.
Color can also be an indicator. Excessive shine does not mean that the fabric is made from real silk, on the contrary, if the fabric shines too much, it is potentially polyester because silk has more of a pearly multi-colored sheen.
Touch.
We can also verify the authenticity of silk through touch. By rubbing a piece of silk between your fingers, the fabric will become warm. If the temperature remains unchanged, it is not real silk.
Burn a piece of the fabric.
The safest checking technique is to burn part of the fabric.
You should know that all natural fibers, such as silk, react in the same way to fire: When the thread or fabric is burned, the combustion stops as soon as the flame source is removed.
Once extinguished, the flame forms a black ball at the end which is easily crushed with the fingertips, forming a sort of ash. The smell produced will be similar to burning hair.
Conversely, when it comes to artificial and synthetic fibers, the fabric catches fire and leaves a black ball at the end which does not crush, and produces an odor similar to that of plastic.
When we buy silk, we are not only buying a beautiful soft and shiny fabric, we are also buying a multitude of benefits, whether for the skin, the hair or even the quality of sleep. Unfortunately, if we are not careful, we can end up with a very nice item without any benefit and which can, on the contrary, have the opposite effects.
It is therefore important to check your fabric before any purchase. The indicators cited clearly allow you to differentiate between real silk and a synthetic material.
Once we have ensured that the fabric is indeed silk, we will need to check whether this silk is of good quality or not.
To do this, it is necessary to check the number of mommes of silk used and the grade of silk.
Discover the points to take into account before purchasing a silk item
Learn more about silk momme
Learn more about silk grade
Discover the many benefits of silk