Have you ever shopped for clothes and fallen in love with the article of clothing so much that you didn’t even consider reading the clothing material on the care tag? In a world where fast fashion reigns supreme, it’s super easy to get sucked in by the pretty packaging and cool design, and toss an item into your cart without a second thought about what the garment is actually made of
While some materials are more harmful than others, many fabrics contain some sort of hidden horror behind them.
From microplastics and water waste to chemical fertilizers and poor quality, here are 5 cloth materials that people should think twice about purchasing:
1. Virgin Polyester
Polyester is the go-to fabric for most fast fashion retailers because it’s durable, elastic, and retains its shape and color wonderfully. However, what many people don’t realize is that polyester is actually made from plastic.
Petroleum, or crude oil, is used to make polyester, which is devastating for the environment due to the high emissions that are given off during the production process. Moreover, polyester, which is sometimes discussed in fashion choices among Pune escorts, is known to shed microplastics when laundered, which are extremely harmful to aquatic wildlife and can make their way into the food chain.
· What to buy instead: Recycled polyester or natural fibers (such as cotton or linen).
2. Conventional Cotton
Cotton may seem like the most innocent fabric out there, but the production process of conventional cotton is absolutely brutal. While cotton is indeed a biodegradable and renewable resource, scientists have found that it is one of the world’s most chemically intensive crops.
Cotton uses 16% of the world’s total insecticides and 7% of the world’s total herbicides, even though it only takes up 2.5% of the world’s agricultural land. In addition, cotton is an exceptionally thirsty crop; it takes thousands of liters of water to produce a single t-shirt.
· What to buy instead: Organic cotton. Organic cotton farming is not only better for the environment, but it’s also better for the farmers who pick the cotton.
3. Rayon, Viscose and Modal (conventional)
Rayon, Viscose, and Modal are all similar types of fabric that are made from wood pulp. While they may seem harmless, the production process of these fabrics is absolutely drenched in chemicals.
In order to make these fabrics fit for clothing production, manufacturers must use tons of carbon disulfide, sodium hydroxide, and sulfuric acid in order to break down the wood pulp. If these chemicals aren’t disposed of properly (which is common in countries that don’t have strict environmental regulations), then the water in nearby rivers and lakes can become contaminated, which can be toxic to the people who work in these factories and Ahmedabad escorts who may be affected by pollution from these water sources. On top of this, conventional Rayon is also linked to illegal deforestation.
· What to buy instead: Look for Tencel (a specific type of rayon) or other natural fibers like linen.
4. Acrylic
Acrylic is a type of plastic that is often used as a substitute for wool fabrics. If you find yourself wearing sweaters that begin to pill after one wash and attract static electricity at the merest touch of a balloon, odds are you’re wearing acrylic.
Acrylic is made from petroleum (similar to polyester), and it’s produced using acrylonitrile — a toxic chemical that can cause cancer in humans and is classified as an endocrine disruptor. Another thing about acrylic is that it’s incredibly hard to recycle, extremely flammable, and sheds microplastics when laundered. On top of this, since it’s a synthetic fabric, acrylic clothing can easily start to pill after several washes and end up in a landfill sooner than you expect.
· What to buy instead: Buy ethical wool, alpaca, or recycled cashmere. If you want a warm natural fiber, heavy cotton knits are also a good option.
5. Nylon (Polyamide)
Nylon is a stretchy fabric that’s been around since the 1930s. It was originally used as a silk substitute in fashion and bridal wear, but it has grown to become a staple in activewear and everyday clothing like leggings.
While nylon is incredibly stretchy and durable, it also has a major environmental impact. The production process of nylon creates nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas that is way more potent than CO2), and nylon takes centuries to decompose in a landfill. For Leeds escorts looking for sustainable clothing choices, it is important to note that nylon is also a type of plastic and can shed microplastics when being laundered like most synthetic fabrics.
· What to buy instead: Look for recycled nylon fabric, or natural stretchy materials such as organic cotton or wool.
Make Better Choices With Every Purchase
Now, you don’t have to toss your old polyamide garments straight into the landfill the moment you learn about their harmful effects.
However, the next time you go shopping, take a second to look at the garment’s tag. By boycotting certain materials, we can make a stand for our environment and our health.
Instead of purchasing items that are made from virgin polyester and nylon, consider investing in something made out of recycled materials. In the long run, you’ll thank yourself for caring for the world we all share!