Textile fibres are classified into two types. Synthetic and natural.
Natural fibres are derived from nature, such as cotton or flax, or from animals, such as silk and wool.
Synthetic fibres, well, they’re made of synthetic fibres. There is also something known as semi-synthetic fibres, which are made from natural materials such as cellulosa from trees but have artificial fibres.
The most common synthetic fibres are derived from fossil fuels, with polyester being the most common material.
Synthetic Fibers
Acrylic is a type of plastic that is created artificially by petroleum. Acrylic is made using a lot of toxic chemicals and a lot of resources, making this type of synthetic fibre one of the worst for the environment.
The fabric is extremely heat sensitive and frequently develops pills, which are tiny little balls that appear on the fabric’s surface.
They, like all synthetic fibres, release tiny microplastics when washed, which enter water systems and end up in the ocean, causing a slew of health issues for both animals and humans.
Plastic clothing: advantages, disadvantages, and how to deal with microplastic pollution
Advantages:
Warm
Washable in the washing machine
Cheap
Lightweight
Disadvantages
Doesn’t breath
Static electricity accumulates quickly
It is not recyclable and is not biodegradable.
Microplastics should be released
Consuming a lot of energy
It is highly polluting and employs toxic chemicals
NYLON / POLYAMIDE
The only distinction is that nylon is a brand name and the fibre is polyamid
Polyamid is a strong, elastic, wrinkle-free material
Advantages
Strong and long-lasting
Weatherproof, making it ideal for use as a windbreaker or rain jacket.
Washable in the washing machine
Cheap
Versatile
Disadvantages
Biodegradable not available
Microplastics should be released.
Toxic chemicals are employed.
Polluting
consuming a lot of energy
POLYESTER
Not only is this the most common synthetic fibre, but it is also the most common fibre in clothing today. Because it is such a low-cost and versatile material, it is frequently used in Fast Fashion.
Advantages
Cheap
Durable
Resistant to wrinkles
Colours last a long time
It is hydrophobic, which means it dries quickly.
It keeps its shape.
Disadvantages
When washed, microplastics are released.
Temperature-sensitive
Static electricity accumulates quickly.
Doesn’t breath
It is not biodegradable.
When recycled, it loses a lot of its quality.
Toxic chemicals are employed.
Extremely polluting
Consuming a lot of energy
NATURAL FIBERS
COTTON
The most common fabric for clothing, and while it is a natural fibre that can be grown organically without pesticides, the cotton plant requires a massive amount of water to grow.
It absorbs moisture easily, making it ideal for towels or sheets but unsuitable for workout clothing or swimwear because it absorbs water and becomes very heavy. It wrinkles easily as well.
Advantages
Soft
Comfortable
Breathable
Durable
Excellent moisture absorption
Disadvantages
It requires a lot of water to grow.
shrinking proclivity
The greatest demand for pesticides
If it is organic, it will require even more water and land to grow.
When recycled, it loses a lot of its quality.
HEMP
Hemp is derived from the plant Cannabis Sativa and may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly textile option. It has been around for 10.000 years, but it is no longer as popular due to plant-growing laws.
It is simple to grow because it does not require much nutrition in the soil and does not require pesticides. It can even be beneficial to the land to grow the material because it binds the soil with its long roots, preventing soil erosion. It’s also a natural fibre that’s completely biodegradable and uses very few chemicals to make the fabric. The material is more durable than cotton and has the appearance of linen.
Advantages
3 times stronger than cotton
UV protection
Durable
Breathable
Can be grown without the use of fertiliser or pesticides.
It does not require a lot of water to grow.
Its long roots bind the soil, aiding in soil erosion prevention.
It grows quickly.
100% natural and simple to recycle
Softens more with age
Disadvantages
It can be difficult at times.
Easily wrinkles
It is difficult to find because it is illegal to grow in many parts of the world.
FLAX(LINEN)
The fabric linen is made from flax and is derived from the plant’s flower stem. It’s a stiff fabric with a similar appearance to hemp fabric. It is not necessary to use pesticides when growing flax because it can grow in quite cold climates with much lower vermin risk. The process of making the linen is time-consuming, which often raises the price. From an environmental standpoint, linen is the second-best material after hemp.
Advantages
Exceptionally breathable
Ideal for hot weather because it keeps you 3-4 degrees cooler than cotton.
Very strong and long-lasting. 2x the strength of cotton
Can be grown without the use of fertiliser or pesticides.
It does not require a lot of water to grow.
Natural, biodegradable, and easily recyclable
Disadvantages
Very easily wrinkles
Special and delicate care is frequently required.
It is sometimes dyed with toxic chemicals.
WOOL
When we talk about wool, we usually refer to it as wool from sheep; other wools, such as Angora from the Angora Rabbit or Cashmere from goats in the Indian state of Kashmir, go by different names. They do, however, share some characteristics, which are as follows:
Advantages
Strong
It is suitable for both hot and cold climates.
Dirt and dust resistance
Breathable
withstands fire
Waterproofing
Absorbent
Disadvantages
It easily shrinks
It can be itchy
Frequently necessitates special attention.
Can pill
Not vegan
ALPACA
This is a type of wool derived from the Alpaca, a South American animal native to the Andes. It’s a very soft type of wool that, unlike sheep wool, is often better for those with allergies because it doesn’t contain wool grease. It has a negligible impact on the environment.
ANGORA
The angora wool is derived from angora rabbits. It is an extremely soft wool, but despite the fact that it is possible to cut the hair off of rabbits, far too many cases occur in which the hair is pulled off of the animals, causing them immense pain and suffering.
CASHMERE
This material is derived from goats in Asia, primarily in the Indian region of Kashmir. While the fabric is made from shedded wool after the winter season, the goats themselves are not very good for the environment because they tear up the roots of the grass they eat, which eliminates soil erosion and water washing away the nutrients in the soil, turning the land into desert-like landscapes.
SILK
Silkworm cocoons are used to make silk. Mulberry Silkworm is the most common type. Textiles were invented in China as early as 8.500 years ago.
Advantages
Soft
Versatile
Comfortable
Very powerful
It is suitable for both hot and cold climates.
Is biodegradable and recyclable
Disadvantages
Expensive
The worms are frequently cooked alive.
Easily wrinkles
VISCOSE/RAYON
Viscose is made from cellulose, which is derived from wood pulp. While this material is natural, the process of turning it into fibres involves a lot of toxic chemicals, so it is classified as a semi-synthetic fibre. There are various types of viscose, depending on the process or the material from which the cellulose is derived. The most common material is wood pulp from the fir tree in the Pine family; when beechwood is used, the material is referred to as Modal.
Advantages
Soft
Cheap
Absorbent
Anti-static
Disadvantages
Wrinkles
It is not very durable and loses its shape easily
Pills easily
Can result in deforestation
Use of toxic chemicals
BAMBOO
Bamboo has a good reputation in the sustainability market because it grows quickly and does not require pesticides to thrive. However, the process of converting bamboo into textile fibres necessitates the use of numerous chemicals, many of which are extremely toxic. As an example, carbon disulfide is known to cause birth defects and difficulties in reproducing. It is estimated that it takes approximately 5.5 kg of chemicals to produce 1 kg of bamboo viscose.
Advantages
Extremely soft
absorbent and breathable
The plant grows extremely quickly
It does not necessitate the use of a lot of water or pesticides.
Disadvantages
Consuming a lot of energy
Fiber production necessitates the use of numerous toxic chemicals.