How to distinguish silk from polyester

How to distinguish silk from polyester? Silk - This is a material made from natural threads, it is obtained from silkworm cocoons. The process of making silk is quite labor-intensive and takes a lot of time. Therefore, the cost of natural fabric will be many times higher than its artificial substitute. Polyester is a synthetic made from polyester fibers. We will describe the differences between these materials in more detail in the article.

Appearance

It is very important to be able to distinguish real fabric from fake. The first thing you should pay attention to is the appearance of the product. Natural material has its own color characteristics. If you look at it under the rays of the sun, the high-quality material will shimmer in different colors. Polyester does not have this property. Artificial fibers will shine with a white tint, but over time this feature will be lost. The same cannot be said about silk.

Look at the structure. Silk has unevenness. The threads are usually of different thicknesses, as they are of natural origin.

Determine by touch

You can distinguish them by touch.The natural material has good thermal properties. If you press it to your body, the fabric will quickly heat up to your temperature. Polyester will take longer. If you crumple silk, it takes on its shape quickly enough; it does not stretch and is highly durable. The folds will be soft. Synthetic fiber material will leave rough breaks. And this can only be corrected with heat treatment.

Hygroscopicity and combustion

Can be tested for hygroscopicity. Natural silk quickly absorbs moisture. And can take up to 40% of its own weight. Polyester can absorb 5%. If you take a polyester thread and set it on fire, you will notice the unpleasant smell of burnt plastic. A hard and frozen lump will remain at the tip of the thread. And natural fiber thread will have the smell of burnt hair. If you take hold of the burnt end of the thread with your hands, it will crumble into ashes.

If you wear silk clothes for a long time, you will notice that will be comfortable in any weather. Because it allows air to pass through well and has good thermoregulation. Just as the silkworm's cocoon protects the pupa from the elements, so does human tissue. In warm weather it will not be hot and vice versa. The material made of synthetic fibers does not allow air to pass through. And the feeling of discomfort cannot be avoided. Silk fabric is absolutely hypoallergenic and does not harm sensitive skin. Wearing polyester for a long time can cause irritation and redness.

Silkworm fibers are not electrified. And synthetic fibers accumulate static electricity.

If you break a thread made of polyester fiber, it will look like a sloppy bundle with protruding parts. A thread of silk is a single whole. Polyester thread breaks faster when exposed to water.Moreover, the strength of natural silk does not depend on the dryness or wetness of the threads. When exposed to sunlight, genuine fabric will lose its color, unlike fake fabric.

If silk is placed in a 7% alkali solution and heated, it will completely disappear. Polyester with the dignity of an artificial material will pass this test.

What is written on the silk label:

• 100% silk. This means that after manufacturing, they were treated with special compounds. They have water-repellent, crease-resistant and non-shrink properties.
• 100% organic material. Silkworms were given high-quality food without chemicals.
• It is also possible to use weights. First, special glue was removed from the fabric, then it was weighted using solutions.