Muga silk is highly prized for its durability and elegance, making it perfect for clothing and accessories. Mulberry silk is a pure white real silk that originated in China, whereas Muga silk is a golden yellow silk geographically labeled to the state of India. Both are superior quality fabrics with their different physical characteristics and importance.

Silk Fabric Properties of Muga

There is nothing like the sensation of silk against our skin. Other types of silk include mulberry silk, eri silk, Muga silk, and tussah silk. Non-silk fabrics are cotton, linen, and satin. To understand this indulgent fabric, let’s check out its properties:

1. Breathability: Its lightweight and smooth texture allows air circulation and improves breathability.
2. Thermal regulation: Silk has excellent temperature-regulating properties that prevent you from overheating.
3. Elasticity: It is a flexible fabric that returns to its original shape after stretching.
4. Luster: It is always an eye-catching fabric, especially when displayed in light due to its radiance and luster.

What is Silk Fabric?

Silk is a legendary natural textile of the world. Silk fabric is a natural protein-rich fiber popular for its elegance and sophistication. Worms spin silk in parts of China, India and Europe.

It’s a high-demand commodity that consumers want to yearn for fashionable garments with soft furnishing. More than 35 types of silk are available in the market, all of which are of awesome quality.

Difference Between Mulberry Silk and Muga Silk

Both silks are versatile in quality, physical characteristics, and applications. We can choose according to our intended use. Here is a look at the varying features of both silk types:

Origin and Production

Mulberry Silk is obtained naturally from the cocoons of mulberry silkworm bombyx mori that feed on the leaves of the Mulberry tree. This natural silk is also called king of silk because of its high quality and glossy texture. Muga Silk is produced from the semi-domesticated silkworm Antheraea assamensis in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Northeast India, and Andhra Pradesh. This type of wild silk is very lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Mulberry Silk is widely produced and accounts for around 90% of global silk production. Assam is the largest producer of Muga silk, producing 261 metric tons of this variety.

Raw materials:

The Raw materials for Muga silk extraction are cocoons of Antheraea assamensis and tree leaves of meenakari, Pan-chapa and sualu. Whereas, Cocoons of Bombyx mori moth extract Pure mulberry silk. They particularly feed upon Mulberry leaves.

Physical Characteristics

1. Colour:

Mulberry silk is pure white and glossy in appearance Muga silk is yellowish golden colored with a shimmering tint.

2. Texture

Mulberry silk is well known for its soft and shiny texture. Muga silk has a glossy golden-brown texture.

3. Breathability

High breathability of mulberry silk keeps you cool in summer. Muga silk is also breathable and pleasant against the skin.

4. Strength:

Muga silk is well known for its remarkable strength and durability. This remarkable strength fabric is used to make Bulletproof jackets and sleeping bags. Mulberry silk has excellent elastic strength due its long, stretchy fibers.

Benefits of Mulberry Silk vs Muga Silk

Mulberry silk is naturally very healthy as it is a hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial and moisture-absorbent fabric. It is a good friend of people with sensitive skin issues. It provides a cooling effect to skin. It protects your hair from damage of dryness and friction.

Muga silk is one of the traditional fabrics that are used to makes classical and elegant sarees. This rarest silk fabric provides good skin benefits such as delayed aging and skin regeneration. Muga has sturdiness for any shape and displays a fine texture.

Mulberry Use for Bedding and Fashion

Mulberry Silk is well sought after worldwide for its unmatched softness, sheen and breathability. It has found versatility in fashion industry as the highest quality silk. It makes different varieties of bed duvets, pillowcases, quilts and home decor.

It has high economic value in textile industry due to its durability and elegance. Mulberry Silk is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. These attention grabbing features increase its demand. Nowadays, girls prefer silk scrunchies and headbands as hair accessories to prevent hair damage.

Muga Use for Traditional Indian Textiles and Fashion

Muga Silk is mainly used for eco-friendly and sustainable purposes. Muga mekhela is a traditional garment of Assam, made up of Muga silk. Muga silk is also called Assam Milk, as it was particular for Assam’s royal families. The coarse varieties of this fabric are used to make chaddars, shawls, scarves and curtains. Muga silk sarees are the most famous in Assam.

This natural fiber-rich fabric makes dresses for ceremonial occasions and traditional events. In the textile industry, it is referred to as Golden yarn, playing a vital role worldwide.

Price:

Mulberry silk is the most luxurious and expensive type of silk. This is mainly due to its high maintenance cost and difficulty in extraction. Muga silk is an affordable silk with unique properties and good quality.

Care and Maintenance

Silk is known as the queen of textiles in the silk industry. It is a delicate fabric that requires tender loving and care while washing. Here are a few simple steps to give this soft fabric the care it deserves.

How to Care for Your Silk Fabric

Silk fabric makes silk and requires gentle care to maintain its quality and longevity.

• Avoid using harsh chemicals or high heat when washing or ironing silk fabric.
• Store silk fabric in a cool, dry place to prevent damage.
• Store your silk scarves, blouse and lingerie in a separate sealed plastic bags.
• Wash this soft material at delicate cycle of washing machine.
• Do not expose silk material to direct sunlight otherwise, it will loose its natural dyes and turn faint.
• Avoid using spinner after washing and air dry your silk fabrics.
• Muga silk may withstand Chemical dyeing but Mulberry silk is dyed using natural dyes only.

Conclusion

Different types of silk have their own importance based upon their physical characteristics. First glance of Mulberry silk appeals the people and its quality traits are also worthy. Muga silk with a rich golden color and tensile strength finds vast applications in the textile industry. One should consider his preferences and intended use while choosing between Mulberry and Muga silk.

Choosing the Right Silk for You

When choosing between Mulberry Silk and Muga Silk, consider your needs, affordability and preferences.

• Mulberry Silk may be the best choice if you’re looking for a soft, breathable, and durable fabric for bedding and fashion.
• If you’re looking for a sustainable, High strength and eco-friendly fabric for traditional Indian textiles and fashion, Muga Silk may be the best choice.
• If you want slightly golden-coloured silk with a natural sheen then muga silk is a perfect choice.
• If you want pure white real silk, choose Mulberry silk.