https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:54:08 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819950 Fri, 30 Jun 2017 21:09:33 +0000 Carla 1819950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>DH very skin allergic to whatever is in softeners and anti-static sheets - massive raised red welts like he had been whipped with a belt!&nbsp; I never use the stuff.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819721 Fri, 30 Jun 2017 03:15:22 +0000 Echo 1819721@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As usual, Gaylene makes excellent points. None of these things are simple or only two dimensional - there are scores of considerations to take into account for each action.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think that probably the best action any of us can take is to be more mindful of our wardrobes and to purchase less and use what we have more. If a synthetic item lasts longer and looks better for a longer time (some of them are like that while others are not), then it might be a better choice for some individuals. </p> <p>As for fabric softener, typical versions would not be used by vegetarians, as they are made from tallow. Indeed, I worked in the paper industry for many years, and fabric softener sheets smell like rancid fat without the overwhelming scents they use (because that's essentially what they are). They do coat the clothing with a layer that makes them slightly water resistant, they can often irritate the skin, and they can make soft handed cottons pill. I won't touch traditional fabric softeners with a ten foot pole myself, friction or not.&nbsp; </p> <p>ETA: I lied. Fabric softener sheets are excellent for repelling rodents, as they won't come near the stuff, either. If anyone has areas that they want to keep pests from entering before they have a chance to repair/fill them up better, stuff them with a few dryer sheets. They will keep mice, other rodents and bats away - some insects, too!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819661 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 20:31:39 +0000 Gaylene 1819661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the link, texstyle! I like articles like this because they try to give consumers some insights into the complexity of choosing one garment over another. It's also interesting because author explains the difference between fibers like regular viscose and Tencel-like variations, and regular polyester and eco spun alternatives. </p> <p>My only quibble is I'd have wished she'd have stressed a bit more the fact that choosing environmentally and socially better alternatives for our clothing almost always means spending more for a garment initially, as well as investing more time and effort in using eco-friendly ways of cleaning our clothes, and, gasp, even consider repairing and re-purposing items to keep our wardrobes for as long as possible. Patting myself on the back for choosing a cheap cotton T-shirt instead of a polyester one doesn't do much for my ecological footprint. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819643 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:45:59 +0000 texstyle 1819643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At least reading about this has prompted me to add some organic retailers to my list to watch for future purchases. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819640 Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:39:01 +0000 texstyle 1819640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gaylene,</p> <p>Yes, you are of course onto something there. I found this when looking around more. Seems like nothing in the fibre industry is sustainable or safe for the environment. But I don't want the synthetic plastics on my skin so I still don't choose to wear them. </p> <p>Seems that organic cotton and silk are the top 2 options.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/1709/impact-of-textiles-and-clothing-industry-on-environment?page=2">http://www.fibre2fashion.com/i.....ent?page=2</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819421 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:01:28 +0000 Gaylene 1819421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These kinds of threads always bother me because they raise so many issues which don't have easy answers.</p> <p>Replacing synthetics like polyesters, nylon, and acrylics with cotton might not be better from an environmental perspective since conventional cotton is probably the most pesticide-heavy crop grown in the world today. It uses more chemicals per unit area than any other crop and accounts in total for 10-16% of the world's pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and defoliants).</p> <p>Same thing for using laundry softeners. They might decrease the friction during washing, thus reducing the amount of synthetic fiber released during laundry, but they also add known carcinogens and chemicals into the atmosphere and environment. </p> <p>It's hard not jump on bandwagons, but maybe a more reasonable path would be to educate ourselves on the true costs of our fashion-loving ways and make ourselves accountable for our choices. I'll continue to wear both cotton and synthetics, and to do my laundry, but will try to do both realizing the impact my consumer-loving, first-world habits have on the rest of world. I'll spend more for items made by companies who want to act in a socially responsible, sustainable way, I'll forgo dry cleaning except for a very few garments, and I'll launder carefully trying to use products responsibly and carefully. I'll also consider new information as it screams across the Internet, but I'll change my habits only after reading multiple sources to make sure I'm not just exchanging one problem for another. It's the best I can do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819410 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:22:12 +0000 Angie 1819410@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's bella's thread with La Pedestrienne's suggestions and further links to ponder about the topic:</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/bad-news-for-environment-conscious-sportswear-lovers">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ear-lovers</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819285 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:46:07 +0000 Summer 1819285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That makes for disturbing reading.&nbsp; I've read that microplastics, once released into the environment,&nbsp; are likely to remain for thousands of years, which is a terrible thought.</p> <p>While I'm not keen on straight synthetic fabrics, I do wear mixed-fibre clothing, so I may have to rethink my buying habits.&nbsp; </p> <p>Will come back to read previous posts about laundry.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819210 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 01:01:09 +0000 Angie 1819210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>JAileen, if you dig up bella's thread - you'll see that La Pedestrienne posted guidelines on how to be greener with your laundry - and fabric softener is apparently the way to go.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819208 Wed, 28 Jun 2017 00:29:12 +0000 Anonymous 1819208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in the American South, in the heat and humidity, and am perfectly fine in synthetics.</p> <p>As for fabric softener, I don't use it. Plain old-fashioned baking soda is cheaper and softens fabrics just fine, and white vinegar is great for reducing lint. We have sensitive skin and allergies, so everything must be fragrance free.</p> <p>Polyester stays colorfast and doesn't develop holes the way the cheap cotton being sold these days does, so my clothes last longer. They usually can be hung to dry, too, which lowers my electric bill. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819194 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 23:24:01 +0000 cindysmith 1819194@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't use fabric softener in any form because I read somewhere that it coats towels with a residue that makes them less absorbent. I also have ridiculous sensitive skin that throws a fit if I use anything but tide or eco-soap-nuts in the laundry. Plus, DH is a hunter and would throw a fit if I used any dryer sheets or fabric softener because he's convinced that the pigs and deer can smell the residue of it on his clothes just from being in a machine where that stuff was used in a previous load. My life is just simpler without it.</p> <p>As for synthetics, I just don't wear them. I live in the American south, and even linen feels to hot and confining when summer gets really rocking and rolling, which hasn't really happened yet--we've only been in the upper 90s with heat index values around 105-107F, which is nothing compared to what July &amp; August have in store for us (temps over 100F with heat index values in excessive of 110F). Synthetics make me feel like I'm suffocating, and they feel slimy, and they feel like potscrubbers against my skin. And the static electricity synthetics generate? No thank you, I'm shocking enough without it LOL</p> <p>I'm not the least bit surprised to learn that synthetic particles from clothes are potentially making their way into the environment; dryer lint is just little bits of clothing fibers, and I'm guessing that they come off in the washer too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819173 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 21:59:44 +0000 The Cat 1819173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read a similar article here in Scandinavia a couple of days ago. It specifically warned against polyester, acrylic and nylon.</p> <p>Angie, I didn't know that softener could help. Are you sure? I use much less softener now than I used to do years ago, because I have read so many times that softener is bad for the environment. I have also learned that softener should not be used when washing stretchy fabrics or micro-fibre fabrics as the softener weakens the special qualities of those fabrics. But actually, I am in doubt when it comes to softeners. Maybe we should start another thread about softeners, if it hasn't been discussed already? I am still relatively new here and don't know ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819101 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:54:19 +0000 Angie 1819101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(This is not Off Topic, btw)</p> <p>Bella posted about a similar thing a few months ago. More about gear, and how it's bad for the environment to wash it. To which I replied - ANOTHER good reason not to wear gear!</p> <p>I've added softener to my laundry cycle to break up the micro somethings - (forget what they are called) - which is supposed to help.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/another-reason-synthetic-fabrics-are-not-great#post-1819096 Tue, 27 Jun 2017 17:29:51 +0000 texstyle 1819096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The microplastics leech out during washing and end up in the water and the oceans...<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170626124355.htm">https://www.sciencedaily.com/r.....124355.htm</a></p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170626124355.htm"><br /></a></p> <p>ETA: Of course it ends up being non-conclusive but it doesn't really change my mind.</p>