To tell if a rug is real silk using a simple touch test, rub the rug very vigorously with the palm of your hand.
Here's how to perform this tactile test:
- The Method: Apply firm friction by rubbing the rug's surface briskly with your open palm.
- What to Feel For: Pay close attention to the temperature of the pile as you rub.
- The Difference:
- A real silk rug will feel warm as you rub it. This warmth is a key indicator of natural silk fibers generating heat through friction.
- The pile of an artificial rug (like rayon or viscose, often used as silk substitutes) will stay cool under the same friction.
While this method is a quick indicator, the reference notes that the difference may be a little subtle for many people to tell the difference without a little practice. Developing sensitivity to this temperature change can help you better distinguish between real and imitation silk.
This test relies on the inherent properties of natural silk fibers compared to artificial materials when subjected to friction.
