Natural or Not...

It’s not always cut and dried when trying to stick to natural fabrics. We know wool, cotton, and bamboo are natural while polyester and nylon are not. But what about rayon and some of the newer fabrics out there like TENCEL™ and Lyocell? And when does a wool blend lose the best attributes of wool? As the percentage of wool in the blend decreases, the loss of its desirable properties becomes more apparent. Let’s take a look.

Rayon/Viscose/TENCEL™/Lyocell

These are often promoted as a “natural” fibers. They are actually a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. That makes them neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – they fall somewhere in between, a semi-synthetic fiber. Since they are made from wood pulp, they’re considered cellulosic fibers, like cotton or linen.

Made of wood, these fabrics are 100% biodegradable and compostable (if not blended with other synthetic fibers). These semi-synthetic products would only take a couple of months to decompose, compared to other plastic-based items that could take up to 100 years to biodegrade.

What about blends? 

You will find many blends on the market, even in wool clothing. Nylon, elastane, and spandex are often added in small quantities to make items more durable. But, be sure to watch the percentages and be sure you understand what each adds or subtracts from the equation. There are pros and cons you should consider.

My wardrobe consists of over 90% natural fabrics now, including underwear and footwear. They are made out of merino, cotton/flannel, linen, and silk with 90% merino. I am a confirmed woolie convert!

Why do I still have non-natural items in my wardrobe? I have a synthetic vest that I love, it’s perfect for tossing on when I’m chilly or need to run outside. I do have a dressier merino vest, but the synthetic one is so durable and I don’t have to worry about damaging it. Most of my coat/jackets are synthetic other than my one Paka winter coat that is wool-filled. I still have some old hoodies and t-shirts that have memories attached and I wear from time to time. I have some very inexpensive shirts that are good for times when I might damage what I’m wearing. Same for leggings/joggers.

What types of activities am I talking about? One example is when I’m working in the yard with my husband. We recently had to plant 100 trees and bushes. Phew! Then there is the driveway spray to kill the weeds and grass that take over every year. The solution contains a dye that I wouldn’t want to get on my wool but don’t care if it gets on my old synthetic joggers (ones I bought several years ago when I had to have shoulder surgery).

No, you don’t have to convert your entire wardrobe to natural fabrics, but if you’re like me, once you start it’s hard to stop!