Natural vs. Synthetic Fabrics
Which is the superior choice for sustainable manufacturing?
For most of human history, natural fibers have been the way to go when it comes to fabric making. Traditionally, there was just one way to make textiles: cultivating and extracting the raw materials from nature.
That all changed with the introduction of synthetic fibers; we’re now able to synthesize fabrics rather than weave them from natural plant and animal materials.
But what exactly is the difference between natural and synthetic fabrics? Which one is better?
That’s what we’ll answer here. So keep on reading to find out everything you need to know about natural vs synthetic fabrics and which is the superior choice for sustainable manufacturing.
What Are Synthetic Fabrics?
Simply put, synthetic fabrics are fabrics that come from synthetic or man-made materials and processes.
Fabric makers create synthetic fabrics from what is known as the polymerization process. In polymerization, we first create synthetic fibers. These fibers form by combining basic chemical building blocks called monomers into more complex structures.
These complex structures are polymers.
Polymers have a wide variety of industrial applications and use, including making fabrics. Sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, which come from fossil fuels, are some chemicals involved in the polymerization process. In addition, fabric makers may incorporate additional chemicals to make the fabric softer and more resilient.
Common Synthetic Fabrics
Although there are several types of synthetic fabrics, they all more or less fall into one of four major categories.
Nylon.
Rayon.
Polyester.
Acrylic.
Rayon is a synthetic alternative to natural silk, whereas acrylic is a synthetic version of sheep’s wool. Fabrics made from these materials may also use a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, such as poly-cotton fabric (a mixture of polyester and cotton fibers).
What Are Natural Fabrics?
By contrast, natural fabrics consist of naturally occurring fibers that textile makers weave into fabrics.
Natural fabrics have been the predominant fabric for most of human history, that is until synthetic fabrics arrived into the picture. These fabrics are natural since humans can directly collect the fibers and weave them from natural sources rather than synthesizing them through chemical processes.
Common Natural Fabrics
There are two major sources of natural fibers: plant-based and animal-based. Both of these natural fibers can be used to make fabrics but are extracted from different sources.
Here are some common types of natural fabrics:
Cotton.
Jute.
Hemp.
Silk.
Wool.
Cotton, jute, and hemp are all plant-based natural fibers, whereas silk and wool are animal-based natural fibers.
Natural Fabrics vs. Synthetic Fabrics: The Breakdown
When comparing natural fibers and natural fabrics, it helps to compare both across different categories. This approach is more fruitful for comparing both fabrics as there are areas where natural fabrics are better, whereas synthetic fabrics are better in some categories.
We’ll briefly cover each major comparison area and pass the verdict on which fabric wins.
Comfort
Cotton is the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of comfortable clothing. This soft, plant-based fabric is hypoallergenic and breathable, making it an ideal choice for sensitive-skinned individuals and people living in hot climates alike.
Hemp is another comfortable natural fiber with antibacterial properties, making it comfortable against the skin.
Most synthetic fabrics, by comparison, are not as comfortable. Polyester, for example, is non-breathable and not ideal for summer. It may also feel uncomfortable for certain skin types. As such, most comfortable clothing made from synthetic fibers, such as poly-cotton, primarily consists of natural cotton to soften it.
Winner:
Natural fibers.
Durability
Not all fabrics are created equally: even two natural fabrics can vary greatly in their overall durability.
For example, we have cotton, which shrinks after several wash cycles and is not very durable. At the same time, hemp fabric is much more durable; a hemp shirt can outlast a cotton shirt by several years. Both are natural fabrics yet vary greatly in their durability.
That said, synthetic fabrics are more durable across the board compared to all-natural fabrics; this property is one that made them so desirable in the first place. This durability is a result of the polymerization process, which creates strong fabrics which are highly resilient to washing, stretching, wrinkling, and shrinkage.
Winner:
Synthetic fibers.
Safety
While not obvious at first glance, safety is another major factor in comparing fibers.
Consider, for example, the situation where a person’s clothing catches on fire. Although fabrics made from natural fibers such as silk or cotton are extremely flammable, they can still be removed while burning.
By contrast, synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic or polyester, are basically plastic; once heated, they melt. The molten plastic can thus fuse to a person’s skin, causing severe burns as the synthetic fabric clothing would be very difficult to remove once it catches fire and melts.
Another concern is the use of chemicals in synthetic fabric manufacture, which may leave some residue in some cases. Although industrial safety standards exist, the fabric manufacturer is not always guaranteed to follow them. Thus, toxic chemical residue can sometimes brush off against a person’s skin from the clothing.
Winner:
Natural fibers.
Sustainable Manufacturing
As the threat of climate change draws ever so close, one cannot simply ignore environmental sustainability.
Synthetic fibers are made from hydrocarbons— petrochemicals derived from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. Furthermore, their manufacturing process requires additional chemicals that are toxic not only to humans but also to the environment as a whole. Most synthetic fabrics are also nonbiodegradable, making them an environmental hazard as they fill up clothing landfills without naturally decomposing.
Although cotton farming is not without its environmental impacts, specifically water consumption, switching to alternatives such as hemp nearly eliminates this drawback. Furthermore, farmers can also grow organic hemp and cotton without toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Similarly, it is entirely possible to farm natural fibers from animals, such as wool, sustainably.
Final Thoughts
Natural and synthetic fibers and fabrics both have their pros and cons. It's not a question of which is better than the other, but what the consumer is looking to buy.
Despite synthetic fibers being more durable, natural fibers still reign supreme when it comes to sustainable manufacturing. So if you’re looking to make a more environmentally conscious purchase, we recommend sticking with sustainable natural fabrics such as wool.