Natural textiles

 

Cotton

  • There are 4 different types of cotton:

    1: Pima cotton

    2: Egyptian cotton

    3: Upland cotton

    4: Organic cotton

    Softness. The cotton plant is soft and fluffy and results in a fabric that often retains that soft feel.

    Durability. The cotton plant’s cellular structure is strong, creating a tough and wear-and-tear resistant fabric.

    Absorbency. Cotton fabric is very absorbent fabric because there is a lot of space between the cotton fibres.

    Holds dye well. Due to its absorbent nature, cotton takes dye very easily and can be made into a wide variety of colours. Breathability. The fibre structure of cotton makes it more breathable than synthetic fibres.

    No static cling. Cotton does not conduct electricity, therefore static is not an issue with cotton.

  • Only if coated, not indicative of material.

  • This is one of the easiest fabrics to decompose, especially if it’s 100% cotton and uncoated. In the right compost, the material should break down in a one to five months.

  • Whilst cotton has the potential to be a sustainable, renewable, biodegradable resource, the traditional harvesting and processing methods are the cause of soil degredation, greenhouse gas emissions, heavy pesticide use and water pollution during the dyeing process.

    More information on the step-by-step process can be found here.

  • Cotton T-shirts
    Bedding/Towels
    Underwear/ socks.

    I imagine you are wearing something made from cotton right now!

 

Recycled cotton

  • Recycled cotton is also known as up-cycled cotton and made from post-consumer or post-industrial cotton waste.

    Unfortunately, it remains expensive due to high production costs and limited availability.

    Cotton must be blended with other fibres to be made into new yarn for strength and durability, and therefore cannot continuously be recycled. A mix of fibres, such as polyester and cotton, [polycotton] is often created from the recycled material.

  • Depending on the mix of fibres alongside any finishes applied.

  • Description text goes here

  • Cotton production requires a lot of water, energy, labour, pesticides, and insecticides. Recycled cotton, however, demands much fewer resources to manufacture than conventional or organic cotton.

  • Home furnishings, seat stuffing, home insulation.
    Pangaia recycled clothing

 

Wool

  • Durable and stain & odour resistant
    High moisture wicking abilities
    Naturally breathable and good for regulating temperature.
    Fire & UV resistantProne to pilling

    Also known as Cashmere, Fleece, Fur, Hair and Tweed, wool is made from the hair fibres from various animals and is 100% compostable, biodegradable and renewable. It is also the most recycled and re-used material

  • Depending on density and type of finish to wool.

    Typically yes, wool is waterproof, however if fabric is an open weave, a coating is recommended.

  • There are three main routes in wool recycling:

    The closed loop system: A mechanical process that returns garments to the raw fibre state and turns the fibre into yarn again, to produce new products (particularly suitable for wool knitwear).

    The open loop system: Here, the wool from a previous product becomes the basis for a new, usually industrial product such as insulation or mattress padding.

    Re-engineering: Getting creative, companies recycle old or unsold items into new products, like making a bag from an old woollen jacket, or using production waste such as trimmings to make other items. As wool is considered valuable, very little of it goes to waste.

  • Shearing of sheep, cleaning, sorting, carding, spinning, weaving or felting, then post-production and final processing to develop certain attributes.

  • Sweaters, socks, suits, hats, gloves, other forms of cold-weather gear.
    E.g. Finesterre

    In recycled form it’s used in Fjallraven bags.

    Carpets, firefighting gear, insulation (due to being naturally fire retardent)

 

Leather

  • Durable, water resistant & a good heat insulator, animal leather is knowing for it’s longevity and is easy to repair and maintain.

  • Naturally water resistant, a wax or additive would need to be added to ensure 100% waterproof. This can change the appearance of the leather.

  • Leather and leather by-products can be recycled, and will naturally decompose after 50 years.

  • Can be made from cows, sheep, goat, crocodile, horse, buffalo, deer and even salmon. Typically processing the animal skin requires:

    Tanning preparation
    Tanning (vegetable tanning better for environment, makes for stronger, better leather)
    Post tanning
    Finishing

  • Louis vuitton handbags
    Leather car seats
    Dr Marten Boots

 

Linen

  • Highly absorbent - up to 20% of own weight.
    Good thermoregulation - it draws heat away from your body in warmer weather.
    Hypoallergenic.
    About 30% stronger than cotton.

  • Not waterproof. Typically would need a waterproof coating applied

  • Biodegradable, not typically recyclable

  • Made from the stems of the flax plant and is one of the oldest textiles.

  • Bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets.
    Clothing
    Table clothes and napkins

 

Hemp

  • Similar properties to linen, but much stronger.

    Low stretch - hemp is has the least stretch of any natural fibre

  • No

  • Biodegradable.

  • Made from stalks harvested from the hemp plant

  • Clothing by Patagonia

 

Silk

  • Lightweight, breathable and great for thermal regulation
    High elasticity
    Absorbent but quick drying
    High shine
    Low prone to pilling

  • No

  • Biodegradable

  • Silk is cultivated from the cocoon of mulberry silkworm larvae

  • Sleepwear
    Evening-wear
    Traditional parachutes (although now commonly made from nylon)

 

Jute

  • A course material often referred to as hessian, jute is one of the primary textiles of India and neighbouring countries.
    It’s a strong, durable fabric with good moisture retention and heat resistance.

  • No

  • Biodegradable

  • Jute plants grow to be over 10 feet high, and the fibres derived from the stalks are harvested in a single long string, making jute among the longest natural textile fibres in the world.

  • Whilst it’s considered to be one of the most sustainable textiles, its rough texture means it’s not (yet) widely used in the fashion industry. Typical applications include:
    Hessian bags/sacks
    Carpets