cotton or synthetic? why cotton sweatshirts are better
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cotton or synthetic? why cotton sweatshirts are better
Anyone who has ever paid the slightest attention to fashion trends in clothing knows that modern consumers have a ton of choices available to them for what they want their clothes to look like and from what they want them to look like. they are made.
In the modern debate, there are two broad categories of fabrics that consumers can choose from, natural or synthetic fibers. At streatozone, we've taken a stand for cotton, and for many good reasons.
This is how matter decomposes and how cotton recovers.
Popular Synthetics
Over the years, a number of popular synthetic fibers have been produced. Some of the most popular of them are listed here. A quick trip to any department store or fashion outlet will reveal a number of garments or textiles woven from any of the following:
Nylon : Nylon is a synthetic polymer known as a thermoplastic. Its unique nature allows it to be shaped into solid sheets of plastic material as well as arranged into thin strands. Because it consists of long strands of polymers that can be easily arranged, nylon has been widely used in the past to produce fabrics and continues to be so.
Acrylic : Acrylic is actually a name that can be rightly applied to a wide set of classes of plastics. In textiles, acrylic is used in the form of acrylic fibers made from a material called polyacrylonitrile. In this form, acrylic has often been used to create a yarn-like material known as acrylic wool. This was widely used to make socks, gloves, hats and other garments.
Polyester : Polyester is unique among the synthetic fibers on this list because, unlike the others, it has analogies in the natural world. As a class of materials that can be categorized as polyethylene terephthalates (better known as PET), it includes both natural and synthetic materials.
Polyesters are found naturally in some plants and are actually biodegradable. However, as a synthetic fabric known as polybutyrate, polyester is far less environmentally friendly, unsustainable and non-biodegradable. This is unfortunate as polyesters have been used to make a wide range of clothing, perhaps more than any other synthetic in this article.
Rayon : What is very interesting with Rayon is that it is synthesized from regenerated cellulose fibers that are found naturally in plant tissues. Don't let this fact fool you; once synthesized, rayon takes a long time to biodegrade and is heavily implicated in ocean pollution. A significant portion of ocean-related plastic pollution is made up of rayon; it can be made from "plant materials", but once structured it is a potentially harmful synthetic.
But why are they so popular?
What sets these synthetics apart (with the exception of rayon which is actually produced from plant fibers) is the fact that they are created from petrochemicals. Unsurprisingly, they bring with them a whole series of disadvantages which we will examine in a few moments.
If so, then why have they been so popular over the years and so widely used in the production of garments, garments and other textiles?
Affordability : Affordability is one of the biggest culprits here. Believe it or not, there have been times in history when natural fibers and materials have commanded exorbitant prices. In fact, in some ways it still is. Consider the exorbitant costs of furs, leather, pearls, and even rare woods like ebony or teak. Because synthetic fibers can sometimes be made much cheaper than these natural fibers (and are not subject to natural fluctuations) which brings us to the next point.
Ease of production : Synthetic fibers are also easier to manufacture than many natural fibers and are not sensitive to changes in the environment. Since they are largely made with petrochemicals and plastics, they do not need to be grown and the supply does not depend on an organism's biological needs. This also made their use popular in times of scarcity, such as during wars. In fact, during World War II, nylon was heavily researched, manufactured, and used when other materials were rationed.
Specious Claims : If there's one more thing that has made some of these synthetics popular, it's the specious marketing claims. In many places, synthetic fibers have been claimed to be stronger than natural fibers, better insulators, more comfortable, or even better able to withstand the ravages of rot or the elements.
In some situations, these claims are true, but by far they are misrepresentations of reality. Even synthetics like nylon that are well known for their resistance to rotting can actually degrade over time.
Disadvantages of synthetics
Now that you know what made certain synthetic fibers so popular, let's take a look at weeds and find out where their downsides really lie. Here are some of the main reasons why synthetic fibers fall far short of the benefits of natural fibers like cotton.
- Unsustainable: One of the biggest transgressions committed by synthetic fibers is that they are not durable. Since they are almost exclusively made from petrochemicals and plastics, they cannot fit into a circular economy.
- Non-biodegradable: The biodegradability of all synthetic fibers is questionable. They break down over time, but much more slowly than natural fibers, and even worse, often the products they break down into are no better than they are for the environment. Adding them into an ecosystem is bad news, no matter how you run it. Even materials like rayon which are made from natural fibers are heavily implicated in pollution.
- Poor insulators: Another horrible transgression of natural fibers is that they are terrible insulators, and we mean terrible. The way they've been marketed for insulation is amazing, considering they're usually so weak at retaining heat. Sure, an acrylic wool scarf is better than no scarf at all, but it can't hold the humblest of candles to real wool or even cotton.
- Not comfortable: We'll admit that some synthetic fibers aren't particularly uncomfortable , but none of them are as comfortable as natural fibers like wool, cotton, or even fur. This is one of the reasons why people with sensitive skin are advised to heed the recommendation to use all-cotton sheets or underwear. On that note, consider the following.
- Not good for sensitive skin: Synthetic fabrics are not good for sensitive skin, and for a whole host of colorful reasons. They say that polyester is the worst of all, but what could be the reason? Well, one of the worst things about synthetic fibers is that they don't breathe. In fact, they go one step further by trapping sweat, oils, dirt and allowing bacteria to become a breeding ground. Over time, it irritates sensitive skin
- Not Particularly Durable: Don't listen to synthetic fabric manufacturers' claims about their durability. Some of them are really difficult; it's true, and it's also true that natural fibers like cotton need more care to stay strong, but there's also the fact that there's no way to maintain synthetic fibers . When they go bad or start to wear out, it's over. At least cotton can receive proper care. They Trap Odors: As if all of the above information wasn't enough to get you putting rayon and polyester back on the shelf, consider the fact that synthetics trap and hold the smells. They even make them worse and allow bacteria to reproduce. With proper care and washing, this issue should not occur with cotton or other natural materials. Do we need to continue? We are quite confident that we have made our point. We could go on listing some of the glaring shortcomings of synthetic fibers, but we think you get our point. There's just no need for them when you have alternatives. As you can see, all-cotton sweatshirts really are better, and we'll even explain why.
- The considerable advantages of all cotton sweatshirts
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At this point, you're probably wondering what makes all cotton sweatshirts better than those that contain synthetic fibers. Consider some of the following arguments. Durability: One of cotton's biggest appeals is that it's not even related to wearing it. This is linked to its impact on the environment. Since cotton is a crop, it can be grown, then grown, again and again, season after season. When cotton wilts or falls apart, new cotton fibers can be spun, and all you need to create more is a little water, sun, soil, and a few seeds. You get the picture. No Toxic Components: It goes without saying that cotton is also non-toxic since it is produced from natural fibers. This makes it superior to synthetic fibers on a number of fronts. Recyclable and repeatable: Not that you necessarily want to, but if you had in mind to throw away an old cotton shirt, instead of donating it, recycle it or recycle it, there would be nothing wrong with that. A cotton t-shirt in the trash might as well be foodstuff. It will decompose easily and will not harm the environment. Plus, it can be recycled and replicated endlessly. Warmth: Plus, cotton is a much better insulator than synthetic alternatives. If you're looking for a fiber that will keep you warm and comfortable even when the temperatures drop, cotton will serve you just fine as long as you don't get wet. Even so, no synthetic is good when wet anyway. Breathability: Cotton is not only very good at keeping you warm when it's cold. Cotton is also excellent for keeping you cool even when it's hot. When the temperatures reverse their trend and start to climb, don't worry. Literally, don't worry about it. The cotton will keep you cool in the heat. Synthetics will make you sweat more. Moisture Control: By the way, even if you get hot and sweaty in cotton, its breathability can help control moisture. This way you won't get uncomfortable and will continue to get more so. Synthetics don't even come close. Hypoallergenic Qualities: Cotton can also be hypoallergenic, making it much more suitable for use with those with allergies and other sensitivities. Durable and Protective: When properly cared for and cared for with care, cotton makes great garments that will keep their shape and last for many years. If that's your only reason to buy an all-cotton sweatshirt , it's still a good one. Great for Sensitive Skin: Plus, cotton is great for sensitive skin. Because it doesn't cling to moisture, doesn't encourage the growth of bacteria, and is breathable, it's one of the best natural fabrics for people with particularly sensitive skin. Few fabrics can be as soft and comfortable as cotton. We could go on! Just as we could go on listing the downsides of synthetic fabrics, we could go on extolling the virtues of cotton. If you want to know more about why cotton is such an amazing fabric - and really is better than synthetics - contact us and we'll shed some light on the subject . cotton or synthetic.
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