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With the increasing awareness about sustainability and ethical consumerism, more and more people are opting for natural fabrics for their clothing and home goods. Natural fabrics are the most sustainable types of materials as they are not only produced consciously but also degrade naturally, thus creating the least amount of waste.
Natural materials provide a more eco-friendly alternative to synthetic ones. They also tend to be more breathable, long-lasting, and comfortable to wear. Presently, we’ll delve into the top 10 natural and sustainable fabrics that every eco-conscious consumer should be familiar with.
However, we have to consider the fact that fabrics can be best for the environment only when are organically produced. That too in an amount that does not put pressure on the surroundings in which they are grown. Although degradable, they do not diminish in days and require a significant amount of time, depending on the quality and type. So, it is always better to reuse and upcycle the discarded ones in the best way possible.
1. Organic Cotton: The King of Sustainable Fabrics
Most Common Type: Gossypium hirsutum
Cotton is the most produced natural fibre on Earth. However, its excessive use has harmed the planet in every possible way. Alternatively, organic cotton is grown without any harmful pesticides or fertilisers. With a cleaner production process, organic cotton has a lower impact on the environment.
Without the overuse of harmful chemicals, what we get is cleaner air and water, better soil health as well as happier workers. Plus, it is much better for the skin. As a matter of fact, nearly 800 synthetic chemicals are used to make regular cotton and without them, we get a healthier surrounding to live in.
Organic cotton is a very soft and breathable material. Apart from clothes, we also use cotton to make bed covers, towels and food products like cottonseed oil. For a consumer looking to opt for a sustainable, long-lasting and ethically produced material, organic cotton is the way.
The beauty of organic cotton is in its pure, soft, and gentle nature. Play cloth from Hans Natur takes this commitment to sustainability a step further by creating stylish and comfortable clothing for both adults and children, using only the finest organic cotton materials.
Muslin is a lightweight and breathable fabric that is perfect for the warmer months. This Muslin Wrap Blouse from Nordlicht Freda is so versatile, you can dress it up with a skirt or dress it down with some jeans. Plus, the wrap style is flattering on all body types.
2. Linen: The Breathable, Biodegradable Fabric
Most Common Type: Linum usitatissimum
The first choice for bedding, linen, is made from flax plants. It is known to soften with each wash and is very soft to the skin but can crease readily. The flax plant can even grow without irrigation. Linen made from flax fibre is the best choice for summer apparel. It is also used to make linseed oil and grows mainly in Europe.
3. Hemp: The Eco-Friendly Alternative to Cotton
Most Common Type: Cannabis sativa
This carbon-negative plant absorbs more carbon dioxide than it releases. Hemp is a fibrous crop that grows very fast and needs much less water than cotton. It can also remove toxins from the soil and balance the soil nutrients, giving a phytoremediation effect.
Particularly, it is light to wear, highly resistant to sunlight, long-lasting and versatile material. Pieces such as jackets, pants and hats made of hemp guarantee durability. Plus, it has high resistance to mould. Apart from various kinds of apparel, hemp is also used to make textiles, paper and food materials.
4. Jute: The Durable, Eco-Friendly Fabric
Most Common Type: Corchorus olitorius
The golden fibre jute can efficiently grow without fertilisers as it grows well in the rain. It is biodegradable as well as eco-friendly. When combined with other elastic fibres like cotton, it can make super comfortable and durable clothes. It has good insulation properties and has been widely used in, for example, hats, shoes, jackets, covers, bottle covers, rugs and baskets. Furthermore, it makes long-lasting papers and packaging.
5. Ramie: The Hidden Hero
Most Common Type: Boehmeria nivea
Ramie is a very lesser-known yet very environmentally friendly fibre. It is a strong and durable fibre, forms fewer wrinkles and is known for its bacterial resistance. It is commonly used to make shirts but can also be used to make pants, jackets and eco-dresses. Since its extraction and cleaning are tough, it can be really expensive but worth every buck due to its long-lasting nature.
6. Bamboo: The Soft, Earth-Friendly Fabric Choice
Most Common Type: Bambusa vulgaris
This natural glass fibre has natural antimicrobial and thermo-regulating characteristics. Bamboo fibre is highly breathable and more stretchable than classic cotton fibre. Besides, this material has amazing self-regenerative abilities. The fibre can be extracted by simply cutting the nodes. With its fast regenerative properties, it is a great alternative to polymers.
People have been using bamboo fibre to make pieces such as mats, rugs, bedding and durable shirts. Its semi-synthetic alternative, bamboo lyocell, is the processed form of natural bamboo fibre. However, bamboo is predominantly found in certain regions of the world, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Wherever Bamboo is scarce naturally, it has to be transported there. This additionally adds a cost to the environment.
7. Tencel: The Sustainable Fabrics Made from Wood Pulp
Most Common Type: Eucalyptus globulus
Due to its making process, it is hard to classify tencel as completely synthetic or natural. Active voice: Eco-friendly chemicals dissolve wood pulp or fibers to make organic tencel. It is made by humans, but that does not mean it is not 100% biodegradable. Tencel, the synonym of sustainability, is a kind of lyocell fibre. Eucalyptus, among other trees like beech, spruce, or birch, is commonly used for making it.
Tencel is a soft, cosy and sustainable fabric. The process reuses 99% of all water and chemicals in a closed loop. They have a smooth texture, which makes them less wrinkled. It can keep you cool even on the hottest of days. Yet, with Eucalyptus being a non-native plant, not all consider its farming to be best for the environment.
We recently came across the perfect addition to Organic & Ethical clothing from Green Shorts. From the daily essentials to the latest in material innovation, they have everything. They source fabrics from organic materials for production, ensuring no harmful chemicals are used.
Disclaimer: Below are three natural and sustainable fibres used extensively in producing biodegradable apparel and other materials. However, since these are extracted from animals, it is important to check for certifications and ethical practices.
8. Cashmere: The Hypoallergenic Sustainable Fabrics
Most Common Type: Capra hircus
Cashmere is a type of wool, derived from Cahmere, Pashmninam Mongolian or Ladakhi goats. Due to the rarity of these goats, cashmere is a very expensive fibre. It is a very fine and lightweight fibre. People have been using cashmere to make Kashmir shawls and Pashmina carpets as far back as the 13th century.
The jackets and other apparel made with cashmere are very durable, lasting generations and keep warm in the winters. Cashmere fabric can fight off extreme weather in an eco-friendly way. However, due to animals being involved in the production of cashmere, there have been numerous ethical and economic concerns associated with it.
9. Silk: The Luxurious, Sustainable Fabrics Choice
The most Common Type: Bombyx mori
The synonym of softness and smoothness combined. The royal silk is a fibre like no other. With its natural filamentous fibres, it is easy to dye. Silk is also a very popular fabric in Asia, and it is used in making designer clothing, tops, and home decor. It is produced through a process called sericulture. To its popularity, it has been long associated with poorer labour practices and animal cruelty.
This fabric is very popular in Asia for making designer clothing, tops, and home decor. Through a process called sericulture, producers make silk. People have associated it with poorer labor practices and animal cruelty.
Experiments are underway to make silk out of yeast, sugar, and water.
The alternative to conventional silk is peace silk. To its disadvantages, the moth that makes the most silk for the greedy humans has completely vanished from the wild. This happened due to their cultivation for a long period of time for sericulture (the silk industry).
10. Wool: The Natural, Renewable Fabric Option
Most Common Type: Ovis aries
Natural and organic wool is a durable and thermo-regulating fibre used in winter clothing. Wool in its finest and ethical form can be beneficial for both the environment and the economy. People have followed practices for hundreds of years to obtain natural wool in various ways. Brands use it extensively in making sweaters, cardigans, hats, bedding, blankets and quilts.
Organic wool can be extracted from sheep, goats and even alpacas. Most commonly, wool is extracted from Merino Sheep known to have witnessed cruel and gruesome animal practices. And we can never be sure which farms are using ethical practices but it is always better to go for the certified ones.
Sustainability Rating of Natural Fabrics
Green Cloud Nine’s sustainability rating of natural materials takes into consideration various factors such as the environmental impact of production, the water consumption, the social implications of sourcing the material, ethical labour practices and animal cruelty. We have rated the following out of 5.
Water Consumption | Environmental Practices | Sourcing | Ethics | Animal Cruelty | |
Organic Cotton | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Organic Linen | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Organic Hemp | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Organic Jute | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Organic Ramie | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Organic Bamboo | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Organic Tencel (wood pulp) | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Organic Cashmere | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Organic Silk | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Organic Wool | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Natural materials have a lower environmental impact. We hope these ratings help you make informed choices. Please keep in mind that the transportation of these materials should also be accounted for when purchasing a new piece of clothing or fabric.
So, which one will you buy next?
Now that you have decided to pick natural fabrics for your clothes and home, you’re not just looking good; you’re also doing your part for the planet. Thus backing ethical and sustainable practices in fashion. It is also equally important to remind ourselves that the most sustainable option is the one you already have. So, once the pieces have served their purpose, we must not forget to opt for a sustainable option. An ethically and organically produced one. The planet will thank you in a zillion ways.
Whether it’s the everyday comfort of cotton or the elegance of linen, each natural fabric brings its own perks and qualities that fit perfectly into a mindful lifestyle. So, the next time you’re out shopping for clothes or home items, think about choosing from these top 10 natural and sustainable fabrics to help create a greener future.
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