Sustainable Textiles

Are you looking for fabrics that you can use in the home for upholstery repair or decorating, or for clothing to wear? Look no further than the new breed of sustainable textiles. Read on for more.

What are Sustainable Textiles?

Sustainable textiles are textiles (or fabrics) that are grown and created in an environmentally friendly way, using minimal chemicals. Because chemicals are not used in sustainable textiles, there are less health problems that are associated with chemicals such as headaches, allergies, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.

For a textile to be sustainable, it has to be made from a renewable resource, it has to have a good ecological footprint (how much land it takes to bring it to full growth and support it), and it should not use any (or use little) chemicals in the growing and processing of it.

Types of Sustainable Textiles

Some sustainable textiles include:

Organic cotton -- conventional cotton is very environmentally unfriendly as the extensive use of pesticides and insecticides used when growing the cotton cause pollution and also ill health. Organic cotton however is grown without the use of chemicals, making it much more environmentally friendly.
Hemp -- pesticides or insecticides are not needed when growing hemp and hemp actually improves the condition of the soil that it is grown in. It is also drought resistant and can be grown in most climates. The fabric can be made from the hemp plant without using toxic chemicals and it can be processed locally, reducing the costs and pollution associated with transport.
Bamboo -- as a plant, bamboo is very fast growing, helps to improve the quality of the soil, and can help to rebuild eroded soil. It is very sustainable. Bamboo fabrics can be made mechanically or chemically. Because strong solvents are used in the chemical method, it is not considered a sustainable way to create fabric. However, there are newer manufacturing methods that are environmentally friendly. Look for a label from an organic or sustainable certification body.
Soya -- soya cloth is made from a by-product that occurs during the food manufacturing of the Soya bean. The fabric is soft, drapes well, and is comfortable. Look for soya cloth that is certified organic.
Wool -- can be an environmentally friendly fabric with some conditions – the animals need to be treated well and live in humane conditions. The sheep manure should not enter the water supply. Another consideration is how the wool is manufactured – environmentally friendly wool will not use bleach or chemical dyes.