Guide to Natural and Synthetic

Fibers for the Home

As one of ebay's premier fabric power sellers, we are often asked by our customers about the differences between natural and synthetic fibers in home decorating fabric.  Are natural fiber fabrics, like  cotton , linen , wool , and silk , always more expensive and high-maintenance than synthetic fabrics?  Are synthetic fiber fabrics, like acrylic, nylon, and the newest microfibers, always stronger and more cost-effective?  Is rayon a natural or synthetic? Does one resist wrinkles more than the other? We will attempt to answer the most frequently asked questions about natural and synthetic fibers in this guide. If you have a question about natural versus synthetic fibers that is not answered here, or want additional information about these and other fibers, types of fabrics, and fabric treatments, please check our Guide to Home Decor Fabrics, Part I: A through I and Part II: J through Z, and our Glossary of Basic Textile Terms for additional information. If you still don’t find an answer to your question, write to us via ebay messages and we will do our best to answer it.

This guide begins with some answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions we have encountered.  Hopefully this will dispel some myths about both types of fabrics. After the FAQs, we will provide a brief summary of the most popular natural and synthetic fibers being used today.

Q. What is the difference between 'natural' and 'synthetic' fabrics?

A. Natural fabric refers to fabrics made from fibers found in nature. Natural fibers come from animal and vegetable sources. Synthetic fabric refers to fabric made from manufactured fibers and fibers created by scientists including some manufactured from natural materials like cellulose and wood pulp. 


Q. Which is better, natural or synthetic fabrics?

A. Both types of fabric have their advantages and disadvantages. Synthetics can be durable, easy-care, and fade-resistant, but that does not mean that natural fibers are weaker, less durable, prone to fading, and higher-maintenance. These characteristics often depend on more than the type of fiber being used. Durability, for instance, often depends on the weave and finish of a fabric. Cotton fabric can be delicate and sheer, like a batiste, or heavy and durable like a denim or tapestry.  Unlike the synthetics of the 70s and 80s, today's manufactured fibers, especially the ones made in Europe, are often indistinguishable from the finest natural fibers in fabrics.  Some fibers generally considered "synthetic," since they are manufactured, are actually made from renewable natural resources and are quite eco-friendly!


Q. But aren't synthetic fabrics less expensive than natural fabrics?

A. Not necessarily. Cost is not determined by fiber content alone. Some synthetics are very expensive and so are some natural fabrics, and vice versa.  Other factors such as fabric design, quality of fiber and manufacturing, exclusivity and type of fabric contribute to the cost of a fabric. 


Q. Fiber.  Fabric.  It gets confusing? Is cotton or nylon a fabric or a fiber?

A. The answer is both. I’m afraid that isn’t much help, and at the risk of making things even more confusing, let me say that a FIBER is the material a FABRIC is made from.  Cotton fabric refers to any fabric made from cotton fibers.  Cotton fabrics, like many others, come in different TYPES of fabrics, such as chintz , denim, damask , etc.  But these types of fabric also come in other fibers, both natural and artificial. Our Glossary of Decorating Fabric Types provides more information that may be helpful to you. 


Q. Aren’t synthetics easier to maintain?

A. Not always. Acrylic and polyester fabrics, for example, are harder to clean than wool and acrylics and acrylic and other synthetics can pill.  Stick to the manufacturer’s instructions for the care of any fabric. Do not assume that just because a fabric contains, for example, cotton and polyester, that it is machine washable and dryable. There are other factors as well, such as type of fabric, type of dyes used, etc.


Q. Don’t synthetics eliminate problems with shrinkage and wrinkles?

A. Again, it depends. Rayon, for example, absorbs humidity and shrinks under hot, humid conditions. Windows hung with rayon curtains will have shorter curtains in the hot, humid summer and the same curtains will hang longer in dryer, cooler winters.  Some synthetics, like acetate, do resist wrinkles, but so do some fabrics made from natural fibers, like wool and silk. There is a vast difference among synthetic fibers, just as in the naturals. Wool is a very different fiber than silk.  So, too, rayon differs from acrylic and olefin.


Q. So how do I choose?

A. The following listing of different fiber types and their characteristics should help. Sometimes you will decide in favor of the fabric that has the right look for your décor regardless of other factors. Other times your primary concern may be durability and practicality. Hopefully this guide will provide the information you need to make an informed decision.  And remember – you do not always have to choose one type of fiber over another. For some applications, the “best” solution is a fabric that blends the best characteristics of one or more natural and/or synthetics. For example, in upholstery fabrics, the breathability of natural fibers, or how well they allow air to circulate, enhances the comfort of the furniture. To add durability, one or more natural fibers are often blended with synthetics, so you get the best of both types of fibers in one fabric.   

NATURAL  FIBERS

     COTTON  

A natural fiber that grows in the seed pod of the cotton plant, cotton is versatile and the second strongest natural fiber. (Wool is the strongest.) Use of cotton fabric dates to 5,000-3,000 BCE  Egypt.   It takes dye well and has a wide range of color options. Cotton is also breathable and can give you a lot of decorating impact at a low price, whether for window treatments, bedding, upholstery, or accessories, depending on the type of fabric.  To learn more about cotton fabrics, please see the Chez Chazz Glossary of Fabric Types, A through G. (Photo shows cotton plants.)

   LINEN

Linen is a vegetable fiber from the woody stem of the flax (linum) plant.  The use of linen fabric dates at least to 5,000 BCE Egypt. Linen fibers are  much stronger and more lustrous than cotton. Linen fabrics are very cool and absorbent, but wrinkle very easily, unless blended with manufactured fibers. Linen is used in every type of decorating application, depending on the type of fabric it is made into. For more about Linen fabrics, see the Chez Chazz Glossary of Fabric Types, H through Q.  (Photo shows a hank of unwoven flax.)

RAMIE     

A fiber similar to flax, taken from the stalk of a plant grown in China, Ramie shares the properties and uses of linen.  For more about Ramie, see the Chez Chazz Glossary of Fabric Types, R through Z.

  SILK 

Silk is, despite its sometimes fragile look, a very durable, soft, absorbent, long-wearing fiber. Chinese history credits the invention of silk fabric to Yuen Fei, the concubine of an Emperor who ruled in 2,600 B.C. Legend has it she dropped a cocoon into hot tea and it unraveled into silk fibers.  The production was a carefully guarded secret in China for 3,000 years! Today, it is used in a variety of applications from rugs and tapestries to sheer organza. You can find a silk fabric suitable for virtually any application.  To learn more about silk, see the Chez Chazz Glossary of Fabric Types, R through Z.  (Photo shows silk cocoon.)

  WOOL

Wool is the most durable of the natural fibers. It is breathable, hard-wearing, and can be soft or scratchy, delicate or sturdy, warm or cool, depending on the type of fabric. Wool is also very versatile, and a wool fabric can be found for any decorating application from carpeting to upholstery to window treatments. The down-side is that some people are allergic to some or all wools. There are a lot of types of wool, from Alpaca to Vicuna. You can find more information these and other wools in the Chez Chazz Dictionary of Fabric Terms. (Photo shows a basket of wool sheared from sheep.)

OTHER NATURAL FIBERS

Other natural fibers such as bamboo, jute, sisal, and hemp are also found in home decor, but until recently, were rarely found in fabrics other than burlap.  Instead, these fibers, all of which come from plants, were (and still are) used for webbing in furniture upholstery, carpet backing, and area rugs. Reflecting the current emphasis on ecology, renewable natural fibers like Bamboo and hemp are becoming increasingly popular in home decor fabrics.

  Bamboo makes a durable soft fabric. It has a natural sheen similar to silk. Like other natural fibers such as hemp, it is anti-bacterial, breathable, biodegradable and a renewable resource.

Jute is one of the cheapest natural fibres, and is second only to cotton in amount produced and variety of uses. Most jute comes from India.  Jute fabrics are also called Hessian Cloth, known as burlap in the U.S.

Hemp is a coarse fiber that comes from the inner bark of the hemp plant. Hemp is found all over the world and has been historically used to weave fabric about as long as flax (linen) and wool have. Hemp is three times stronger than cotton, is very durable and is naturally resistant to mold, rot, and bacteria, but it does not drape well, wrinkles easily and has poor resilience.

Sisal is strong fiber that originates from the leaves of the Agave plant, which is found in the West Indies, Central America, and Africa. It is currently popular in area rugs.

SYNTHETICS

ACETATE

Acetate is both natural and synthetic. It is formed by a compound of refined plant cellulose or wood pulp and acetic acid.  It is long-wearing, drapes nicely, and resists wrinkling, making it a good choice for window treatments, bedding, and pillows.

ACRYLIC 

A manufactured fiber derived from polyacrylonitrile, acrylic has a wool-like feel but lacks wool's insulating properties.  It is colorfast and resists stains and fading, but is harder to clean than some other fibers and can pill. It is most often used blended with natural fibers to add durability. Acrylic is machine washable and dryable, and resists chlorine degradation.

LYOCELL

A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose. Lyocell has a similar hand and drape as rayon, but is stronger, more durable, and in many cases machine washable. It has a subtle luster and is rich in color. Lyocell possesses low shrinkage characteristics, as well as good absorbency and wrinkle resistant qualities.

MICROFIBER

A generic term for any synthetic fiber finer than silk. As the name suggests,, microfibers are created by micro-technology. The fabrics made from these extra-fine fibers provide a superior hand, a gentle drape, and incredible softness. Comparatively, microfibers are two times finer than silk, three times finer than cotton, eight times finer than wool, and one hundred times finer than a human hair. Currently, there are four types of microfibers being produced. These include acrylic microfibers, nylon microfibers, polyester microfibers, and rayon microfibers.  Microfibers are new and their uses in home décor are just beginning to develop. Look for them in slipcovers, curtains, and bedding.

MODACRYLIC

A manufactured fiber similar to acrylic in characteristics and end-uses. Modacrylics have a higher resistance to chemicals and combustion than acrylic, but also have a lower safe ironing temperature. Fleece, knit-pile fabric backings, and nonwoven fabrics are made from this fiber.  Uses include awnings, carpets, flame-resistant draperies and curtains, and area rugs.

   NYLON

Invented at DuPont in 1938, nylon was the first completely synthetic fiber developed. Known for its high strength and excellent resilience, nylon has superior abrasion resistance and high flexibility.  Nylon wears well and resists static electricity, but it is not breathable and it pills – characteristics that make it unsuitable for upholstery but perfect for parachutes and umbrellas.  (Photo shows the creation of nylon fiber in a laboratory.)

OLEFIN

(also known as polyolefin and polypropylene)

A manufactured fiber characterized by its light weight, high strength, and abrasion resistance. Extremely durable. Used in indoor-outdoor carpeting and also used in astro-turf. We sincerely hope you will avoid using the latter in home décor beyond a smidgen possibly added to upholstery fabric for durability. On the other hand, if you are decorating a football stadium . . .

  POLYESTER

Made from short strands of fiber bonded together. Fade resistant but harder to clean than many other fabrics polyester has high strength, excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance. Low absorbency allows the fiber to dry quickly, making it a popular choice in window treatments, bedding, and accessories.

RAYON

Composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood pulp, cotton linters, or other vegetable matter, Rayon is a manufactured fiber that uses natural materials.  Rayon, invented in 1910, is the first (partially) synthetic fiber ever developed. Today, various names for rayon fibers are taken from different manufacturing processes.  Do not use rayon in high-humidity locations since the dampness may cause shrinkage.

TENCEL®

A Tencel Ltd. trademark for their brand of lyocell, a high-performance rayon fiber used to make soft, beautifully draping fabrics. Made from wood pulp that is harvested from replenished tree farms, Tencel® is environmentally sensitive and washable.

  VISCOSE

The most common type of rayon, Viscose is soft, absorbent, and drapes well. It is also dirt and stain repellent and  is used in many decorative fabrics, especially faux silks and damasks and in almost every home decorating application.  (Photo shows viscose fibers magnified 270 times.)