It can be daunting as a consumer to go shopping in search of healthy and sustainable clothing when there are so many different options made from so many different materials. Environmental, social and health impacts are all factors in the textile industry and it is important to understand what you are buying.
The first step is to make sure you actually need something. The best practice is to not consume at all if you don’t have to!
If you are on the look out for a new outfit, you want to look for clothing made with textiles that were created from materials that are rapidly renewable, use a minimum amount of resources to grow, have little or no need for chemicals in their manufacturing and take into consideration animal cruelty and fair-trade.
Toxic Textiles. There are many man-made materials out there that should be avoided when looking for sustainable, healthy clothing choices. Some of the common materials are Rayon, Acrylic, Acetate and Nylon. These materials are either made of toxic materials or are manufactured with toxic chemicals in order to achieve the final product. If materials are labelled as “anti-static”, “stain-resistant” or “wrinkle-free” they are most likely treated with chemicals like formaldehyde unless they are naturally occurring (in natural materials!).
Friendly Fabrics. There are many alternatives to the common artificial fabrics out there today. Although the manufacturing process of some of these materials needs improvement, they are a step in the right direction. Remember to look for organic as often as you can.
Hemp. Grows quickly and densely (keeping away weeds). Doesn’t require irrigation (only natural rainfall!) and is pest resistant (no fertilizers!). It requires minimal processing due to its long fibres, is long lasting and mildew resistant (naturally!). Hemp was originally used for rope on fishing vessels.
Bamboo. Is a highly renewable resource (some species can grow up to one metre a day!). Bamboo fibres are biodegradable, naturally antibacterial and breathable. During farming bamboo eliminates toxins from soil and prevents erosion. However, there are growing concerns regarding the farming practices of bamboo. Over 60% of the bamboo harvested in India comes from ‘protected forests’. It also requires an intensive manufacturing process to extract the plant into fibres.
Soy Silk. Fibres are extruded from the by-products of tofu production.
Wool. Is naturally hypoallergenic, moisture absorbent, flame resistant, static resistant and insulating (both to keep heat in and to keep it out!). There is high concern for animal welfare in sheep farming but organic wool is becoming more and more common.
Organic Cotton. The farming of organic cotton is pesticide free and fair-trade. It can be grown in green or brown naturally (thanks to biologist Sally Fox!) The colour not only won’t fade, it will brighten after washing.
Linen (Flax). This fibre is stronger than cotton, lint-free, durable and stain resistant. It is highly absorbent and can hold up to 20% moisture without feeling damp. It is cool to the touch and breathable. Some manufacturing methods of linen use extensive amounts of chemicals to loosen the fibres from the stalks.
Leather vs. Pleather.
Leather is a durable and long lasting material. It can be dyed naturally and treated with natural oils to increase its longevity. Animal cruelty is a high concern when it comes to leather as well as the chemical processes to create some of the final products.
Pleather is artificial leather usually made of PVC (aka vinyl) which is known to be one of the most hazardous materials known to effect human health. It is a vegan alternative to genuine leather (meaning no animal by-products!). Some alternatives to PVC type “pleather” are cork leather (durable and stain, scratch and water resistant), and ocean leather (made of kelp).
