A silk comforter is a type of bed covering originally from China, but now commonly used and valued throughout the world. It is also known as a silk duvet or silk blanket, and like blankets, it is used for warmth. A silk comforter is similar to a down comforter (or duvet), in that it is really a large "envelope" of fabric filled with some insulating material. Silk comforters are filled with silk floss (similar in texture to stretched out cotton balls) as the insulating material, and their outer covering is also often made of silk, making them not only warm, but also luxurious. See also: Silk Comforter 101
Though they are gaining demand and popularity in the US, most department stores are slow to offer silk comforters in their stores. Fortunately, there are a number of online stores that cater to this demand and offer a range of silk comforters and covers. See also: Where to Buy a Comforter
Not only is silk an excellent insulator, it is also very lightweight, long-lasting, temperature adjusting, breathable, luxurious, and drapes naturally over your body. It is also naturally hypoallergenic and requires no chemicals for processing, and is a natural, renewable resource. Using silk can also save you money while also helping the planet, by allowing you to lower you thermostat on cold winter nights. See also: Why Buy a Silk Comforter
The "hand" of silk is exceptionally smooth and flowing. It is so light and soft that when you run it across your skin, it feels like a gentle breeze or fresh stream of water. It naturally and instantly warms to the touch, yet breathes and lets air pass through.
Silk is the product of the silk moth larva, or silkworm, which encases itself in a cocoon. This cocoon is one, long strand of protein fiber, designed to protect and harbor the silkworm while it transforms itself into the moth. The cocoons are soaked in hot water or steamed to dissolve the sticky substance called sericin that holds them together, and the silk strand is then separated, reeled, and twisted into threads used for weaving the silk fabric, or stretched and layered in to hundreds to layers to form a silk comforter. See also: How Silk Comforters are Made
Silk offers many advantages over down. Both are natural, renewable materials that are excellent insulators and also extremely lightweight. However, whereas silk is naturally hypoallergenic, down must be cleaned to remove common allergens and dander, a process that often involves the use of chemicals. When down is used as comforter fill, the comforter must be specially sewn to avoid bunching and cold spots. Silk filling is silk floss that has been stretched and layered, making bunching impossible. Down feathers also have a tendency to "leak" through the outer cover.
Mulberry silk is created by the bombyx mori silkworm from a diet of exclusively Mulberry tree leaves, producing the highest quality of silk available. Dupioni silk is made from double cocoons nested together - the threads are uneven and irregular. Tussah silk is a plain weave silk fabric from 'wild' silk worms with unregulated diets. It has irregular thick and thin yarns creating uneven surface and color, since the silk worms are allowed to hatch and tear a hole through the cocoon, breaking the single strand into multiple strands.
Comforters and duvets mean the same thing. "Duvet" is the French word for "comforter". A comforter or duvet is a flat bag filled with some insulating material, used as bedding. Historically, duvets are filled with down or duck feathers, but today, one can choose silk, cotton or synthetic fillings. Many people use the term "duvet" by itself to refer to the duvet cover, but this is technically incorrect.
Silk's hypoallergenic properties stem from a number of features. First, silk starts out simple and clean - merely a strand of natural fiber and held together with a natural glue called sericin. Second, sericin is a natural repellant that is inhospitable to dust mites, a major source of allergens. Third, silk is processed with little or no chemicals. Finally, silk maintains its structure for a very long time, unlike down which can degrade and fall apart, creating tiny pieces that can cause irritations. See also: Silk's Hypoallergenic Properties
Both silk and down have some level of temperature adjusting abilities, due to their ability to "breathe" and to absorb excess moisture. But because less silk is needed for the same amount of warmth, the thinner silk comforter is able to let more air pass through without compromising warmth. Also, silk has a greater ability to absorb moisture than down (up to a third of its weight), which keeps you dry and comfortable while sleeping.
Silk's excellent insulating properties allow you to snuggle up inside your own little "cocoon," allowing you to set the thermostat back significantly for that third of the day that you are asleep. This not only saves you money on heating, but also helps reduce environmental pollution.
Silk's long list of advantages make it ideal for just about everyone. However, it may not be suitable in households where pets have a tendency to damage bedding.
With properly care, silk comforters can easily last ten or more years. See also: Silk Comforter Care
Use with a removable duvet cover. If properly covered, the silk comforter will almost never require cleaning. If it does require cleaning, it must be dry-cleaned. Hand or machine washing will damage it. "Sun-curing" or placing the comforter in partial sun is the traditional way to "clean" and air out a silk comforter. See also: Silk Comforter Care
Silk is a natural fabric, and needs protection when stored for long periods. Wrap it in its duvet cover, store in a dark, cool, dry place to protect it from insects and moisture. See also: Silk Comforter Care
Silk warmth is measured by the amount of silk fill used, in pounds or kilograms. Different manufacturers offer a wide range of fill weights ranging from 1 to 6 or more pounds. The weight you choose will depend on your climate and sleeping preferences. See also: Shopping for a Silk Comforter.
Sericulture is the art and science of raising silkworms and harvesting their cocoons. Sericulture is an ancient craft handed down and perfected over the course of thousands of years. It was once a heavily guarded secret in China, but is now practiced the world over. A sericulturist is especially skilled in maintaining a precisely controlled environment (temperature and humidity) for the silk worm, and in growing the mulberry tree that is used as food. See also: How Silk Comforters are Made
Our century has seen the invention of manmade, artificial silk fibers, including countless varieties of rayon, polyester, and nylon to simulate the look and feel of silk, but there remains nothing that has all the qualities of silk, except the real thing.
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