Mulberry silk is widely considered the finest silk in the world, and understanding why will help you make smarter choices the next time you shop for sleepwear or bedding. According to the International Sericultural Commission, mulberry silk accounts for about 90 percent of the world's silk production, which is why it is also the standard by which other silks are measured. This guide covers what makes mulberry silk different, what momme means, and how to choose real mulberry silk products.
What Is Mulberry Silk?
Mulberry silk is silk produced by the domesticated silkworm Bombyx mori, which feeds exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry plant. Because the silkworm's diet is so controlled, the fiber it produces is exceptionally uniform, smooth, and long — a single cocoon can yield a continuous strand hundreds of meters in length. When those long fibers are woven into fabric, the result is the soft, lustrous material associated with premium bedding, sleep masks, and clothing.
Where Does Mulberry Silk Come From?
The practice of raising silkworms for their fiber, known as sericulture, began in China thousands of years ago and spread across Asia and beyond. Each cocoon is made of a single continuous strand that can be hundreds of meters long, and that length is one reason mulberry silk feels so smooth: fewer joins mean fewer rough spots. The domesticated mulberry silkworm produces the finest and most widely used silk filament of any species. Today, most high-quality mulberry silk used in bedding and sleepwear comes from China, with significant production in India and other Asian countries.
Why Is Mulberry Silk the Highest-Quality Silk?
Not all silk is the same. Wild silks such as tasar, eri, and muga come from silkworms that feed on other plants and produce shorter, coarser fibers. Mulberry silk stands apart because of three qualities:
- Length. Long, continuous filaments create a smoother surface with fewer weak points.
- Softness. The fine, uniform fiber feels gentle against skin and hair.
- Strength and luster. Mulberry silk is both durable and naturally glossy, so it looks luxurious while it lasts.
What Does Momme Mean?
Momme (mm) is the unit used to measure silk fabric density: it is the weight of a standard-sized piece of silk, and higher numbers mean denser, more substantial fabric. In practical terms:
- 19 momme — lightweight and budget-friendly, good for occasional use.
- 22 momme — the standard for premium sleep products: dense enough to feel luxurious, light enough for all-night comfort.
- 25 momme and above — the most heavyweight silk, usually reserved for bedding and luxury garments.
For a sleep mask, 22 momme is the sweet spot, which is why our silk sleep mask collection is built around it.
Is Mulberry Silk Hypoallergenic?
Mulberry silk is naturally low in common irritants. Its smooth surface does not trap dust and allergens the way coarser fabrics can, and it is breathable, so it does not trap heat or moisture against the skin. Many people with sensitive skin find it more comfortable than synthetic alternatives. When a product is also certified to a safety standard such as OEKO-TEX, that is an extra signal that the materials have been tested for harmful substances. As with any material, individual reactions vary, so it is always sensible to try a product before committing to daily use — which is why our silk sleep mask collection is backed by a 60-night guarantee.
Is Mulberry Silk Real Silk?
Yes - mulberry silk is real silk, and in fact it is the standard. It comes from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori silkworm, which feeds on mulberry leaves, and it is the fibre most people mean when they say "pure silk" or "100% silk." If a label says "mulberry silk," it should also say 100% silk; if it says "silk-like," "silky," or "satin," it is usually polyester with a silk finish. That difference matters most in a product you keep against your skin for eight hours.
When a label says "100% mulberry silk" plus a momme weight, you are looking at genuine, premium silk - the same standard used throughout our silk sleep mask collection.
Two other materials get confused with it. Satin is a weave, not a fibre - satin can be made from silk or from polyester, and the cheap version is polyester. Charmeuse is a specific silk weave with a glossy front and a matte back. Neither is automatically better or worse than mulberry silk; what matters is whether the fibre is real silk and how heavy the fabric is.
How Can You Tell Real Mulberry Silk from Imitations?
Because silk commands a premium, imitations are common. Three quick checks help you avoid them:
- Read the label. Look for "100% mulberry silk" plus a momme weight. "Satin," "silk blend," or "silky" usually means it is not pure silk.
- Feel the fabric. Real mulberry silk is smooth, cool to the touch, and slightly irregular in texture; polyester feels slick and slippery.
- Compare the price. Genuine 22-momme mulberry silk cannot be produced at the price of a polyester mask. If the deal seems too good to be true, the material probably is.
How to Care for Mulberry Silk
Mulberry silk is strong but needs gentle care. Hand wash in cold water with a pH-neutral detergent, rinse thoroughly, and lay flat to air dry out of direct sunlight. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, and the dryer. For sleep masks specifically, a gentle machine cycle with the mask inside a mesh laundry bag is also acceptable on most care labels. With this routine, silk keeps its softness and luster for years - and the exact steps are in our silk sleep mask care guide.
Creases are the one problem silk owners run into most. Our guide to getting wrinkles out of silk covers steaming, low-heat ironing, what temperature is safe, and the mistakes that set a crease permanently.
The Best Way to Sleep on Mulberry Silk
The easiest way to enjoy mulberry silk is a sleep mask made from it: 22 momme, 100% mulberry silk, with a silk filling and a contoured fit. Our champagne and white colorways are the most popular for their soft, quiet-luxury look, and the whole silk sleep mask range is covered by a 60-night guarantee. If you are still deciding between masks, our best silk sleep mask guide compares the top options side by side, our benefits guide explains what silk can and cannot do for your sleep, and our silk vs satin comparison shows where the savings on cheaper materials actually show up.
What Does Momme Mean, and Why Does 22 Momme Matter?
Momme is a weight measurement for silk. Specifically, it describes how much a fixed area of the fabric weighs, and the higher the number, the denser and more durable the silk. This is the number that separates a mask that lasts a year or two from one that thins out in months.
The common grades run from about 16 to 30 momme. Bedding brands often use 19 to 22, robes sometimes sit around 19, and heavier 30-momme silk is used for sheets. 22 momme is the sweet spot for a sleep mask: heavy enough to block light and hold its shape, light enough to stay cool and breathable against your face. That is why our silk sleep mask collection is made from 22-momme 100% mulberry silk rather than a lighter, cheaper grade.
If a mask does not state its momme weight, ask. Brands that use good silk usually say so.
The bottom line: mulberry silk is the gold standard of silk because of its long, uniform fibers and exceptional softness. Choose 100% mulberry at 19–22 momme, care for it gently, and you will feel the difference every night.