Fabric 101: The Good, The Bad, and The Eco-Friendly
Let’s talk fabric - not all are created equal! Some are breathable and kind to the planet, while others are basically plastic in disguise, shedding microplastics like an overexcited golden retriever.
So, if you’ve ever wondered what your clothes are really made of and whether they’re doing the Earth any favors, let’s break it down—fabric by fabric.
Cotton: The Classic Queen 👑
The Good:
Natural, breathable, and comfy—basically, the Taylor Swift of fabrics.
Biodegradable (eventually breaks down, unlike synthetic fabrics).
Can be organic! Organic cotton skips the nasty pesticides and saves water.
The Not-So-Good:
Conventional cotton farming uses a TON of water—one T-shirt = 2,700 liters (aka what one person drinks in 2.5 years!).
Pesticides used in non-organic cotton farming are a nightmare for farmers and ecosystems.
Eco-Friendly Score: 7/10 (Opt for organic cotton to keep it sustainable!)
Linen: The Cool, Low-Maintenance Friend 🌾
The Good:
Made from flax plants, which require way less water than cotton.
Super breathable and gets softer over time (like a fine wine, but wearable).
Naturally biodegradable and stronger than cotton = longer-lasting clothes!
The Not-So-Good:
Wrinkles like crazy. (But honestly, that’s part of the aesthetic.)
Can be pricey due to a more labor-intensive production process.
Eco-Friendly Score: 9/10 (One of the best options out there—Mother Nature approves!)
Hemp: The Underrated MVP 🌱
The Good:
One of the most sustainable fabrics around—hemp grows fast, needs little water, and restores soil health.
Super durable and long-lasting. (Your hemp shirt might outlive you.)
Naturally resistant to pests, so no need for pesticides!
The Not-So-Good:
Can be stiff at first (but softens with wear and washing).
Still not as widely available as cotton or polyester.
Eco-Friendly Score: 10/10 (Hemp for the win—if you can find it!)
Bamboo: The “Sounds Great, But…” Fabric 🎋
The Good:
Bamboo grows ridiculously fast (some species grow 3 feet per day!).
Requires little water and no pesticides.
Naturally antibacterial and moisture-wicking—great for activewear!
The Not-So-Good:
Most bamboo fabric isn’t as green as it sounds—turning bamboo into soft fabric often involves chemical-heavy processes (looking at you, bamboo rayon).
Look for mechanically processed bamboo (aka bamboo linen)—it’s much more eco-friendly!
Eco-Friendly Score: 6/10 (Could be better—make sure it’s processed sustainably!)
Rayon (aka Viscose, Modal, Lyocell): The Sneaky One 🌿→💨
The Good:
Made from wood pulp, so it’s technically “natural.”
Lyocell (TENCEL™) is the best version—it uses a closed-loop process, meaning chemicals used to break down the wood pulp are recycled instead of dumped into waterways.
The Not-So-Good:
Regular rayon and viscose involve harsh chemicals and deforestation. (Yikes.)
Modal and TENCEL™ are better choices—more sustainable and softer than your favorite blanket.
Eco-Friendly Score:
Regular Rayon/Viscose: 4/10 (Meh, try harder.)
Modal: 7/10 (Better!)
TENCEL™ Lyocell: 9/10 (Gold star for sustainability!)
Polyester: The Fast Fashion Fiasco 🚨
The Good:
Durable and wrinkle-resistant.
Cheap and easy to mass-produce.
Recycled polyester (rPET) is a better option—it repurposes plastic bottles into fabric!
The Not-So-Good:
Made from plastic = sheds microplastics into our oceans with every wash.
Takes hundreds of years to break down in landfills.
Not breathable (ever sweated through a cheap polyester shirt? Not fun).
Eco-Friendly Score:
Regular Polyester: 2/10 (Hard pass.)
Recycled Polyester: 5/10 (Better, but still sheds microplastics—wash with a Guppyfriend bag!).
Spandex/Elastane: The Stretchy Villain 🏋️♀️
The Good:
The reason your leggings and skinny jeans fit like a dream.
Adds flexibility and durability to clothes—who doesn’t love a little stretch?
The Not-So-Good:
100% synthetic and plastic-based (aka, not biodegradable).
Sheds microplastics with every wash.
Usually blended with other fabrics, making it harder to recycle.
Eco-Friendly Score: 3/10 (It’s here to stay, but buy secondhand and wash wisely to reduce impact!).
The Secondhand Solution: Reduce the Damage!
Okay, so not every fabric is a sustainability superstar. But guess what? The most sustainable fabric is the one that already exists!
Buying secondhand clothing reduces demand for new production, which means:
✅ Less water waste
✅ Fewer microplastics from new synthetic fabrics
✅ No extra pesticides from new cotton farming
✅ Clothing stays out of landfills
So, if you love a good polyester-blend dress or can’t live without spandex in your yoga pants, the best way to make it eco-friendly is to buy it secondhand! It’s like giving clothes a second life and keeping them out of the trash.
The Takeaway: Choose Wisely!
Not all fabrics are friendly to the planet, but the good news? You can make better choices!
✨ Best Options: Hemp, Linen, Organic Cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell
👍 Better Than Most: Modal, Ethically Sourced Wool, Recycled Polyester
🚨 Not-So-Great: Regular Rayon, Conventional Polyester, Spandex/Elastane
And remember—secondhand is the real MVP when it comes to reducing fashion’s footprint. So next time you’re shopping, check those fabric labels (or just check out our fab inventory at Reduce Reuse Rewear). Your wardrobe can look good while being good for the planet. 🌍♻️✨