Types of Natural Fibers
Natural fibers are the most sustainable choice for your furnishings and floor coverings when proper cultivating practices are used. There are 2 categories of natural fibers that are found in fabrics and floor coverings: Cellulosic and Protein.
Cellulosic fibers are made from plants, while protein fibers are made from animal products. In this post, we will explore the different natural fiber types and how they are made to create some of the most beloved fabrics in our homes.
Natural Cellulosic Fibers
Cotton
Cotton
cultivation is thought to have occurred as early as 12,000 B.C in the ancient
civilizations of Egypt, India, and China. Until recently, it was believed that
cotton was transported to the Americans by early explorers. However, reliable
data has indicated its widespread roots, proving that cotton was indigenous to
North and South America, as well as Asia and Africa.
The invention
of the cotton gin during the industrial revolution allowed cotton to become the
versatile and affordable commodity that it is today. While cotton’s global
textile market share has fallen far from its 55% share in the 1970s, it remains
the second most popular fiber type in the world, accounting for about 22% of
fiber production.
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Linen
Linen is processed from the stem of the flax plant. It is often seen in its natural color, which ranges from light cream to dark tan. Linen is a very durable fiber that can be blended with a wide array of fibers in both woven and velvet-like constructions, making it difficult to recognize at times.
Linen is used similarly to cotton, with its softness and breathability keeping the fiber in high demand for bedding and upholstery fabrics.
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Bamboo
Bamboo fiber is made by extracting the stringy center from the hard outer casing, when washing it and spinning it. Bamboo stalks aren’t trees— they are actually a type of grass that reproduces in 6-8 weeks. Bamboo is naturally resistant to diseases, meaning no pesticides are required.
Collecting and spinning true, natural bamboo fibers is a labor-intensive process. As demand began to rise in the late 20th century, manufacturers began to avoid the separation process and chopped the outer and inner bamboo stalk together. This requires the addition of many processing chemicals to produce a soft washable fabric, but completely alters the characteristics of the fiber despite sharing a similar look.
It is still possible to find fabric made with natural bamboo fibers— just be sure to check the labels for 100% bamboo. Processed synthetic bamboo fibers go by many different names in an attempt to trick consumers. Some of the most commonly used names for this synthetic fiber are rayon, viscose, bamboo silk and banana silk.
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Sisal
Sisal is a fiber obtained from the sword-like leaves of plants belonging to the agave family. The processing begins with the separation of the fleshy parts of the leaf and produces fibers that are 20-50 inches long! It takes approximately 100 pounds of leaves to produce only 4 pounds of fibers. The leading sisal producers are Brazil and Eastern Africa.
In the world of furnishings, sisal’s strength and durability is utilized most often in rugs and carpets. It is also sometimes blended with other fibers in upholstery fabrics.
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Jute
Jute is a long, soft, shiny fiber that can be spun into strong, coarse threads. It is the second most manufactured natural fiber in the world after cotton, accounting for about 3.5 million tons. Jute thrives in warm, humid and rainy climates. Jute stalks are cut, tied into bundles and retted, meaning they are soaked in water until the outer bark begins to rot. These stalks are anywhere from 8- 12 feet tall. The jute fibers are then stripped from the stalk in stands that are typically 6-10 feet long, washed in clear water and dried. India and Bangladesh are the top jute producers in the world.
Jute is a great sustainable material for packaging, and in fact was recently mandated as the packaging material for grain and sugar in India. It is also relatively commonly used in rugs and mats.
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abaca
Abaca, also known as manila hemp, is a natural fiber that is increasing in popularity. Its source plant isn’t actually hemp at all— but part of the banana family. The fiber comes from the stalk of the plant. After the trunk is stripped away, the inside fibers are exposed which are white to light brown and silky. The fibers are then removed, hung to dry, and then spun.
Abaca is exceptionally strong and long, typically 8-9 feet, making it a popular fiber choice for rugs.
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coir
Coir is a stiff fiber made by stripping the outer hairs of the coconut. The husks are separated from the coconuts, retted (soaked in water until the husks begin to rot) in lagoons and then are beaten with wooden mallets to produce the golden fiber.
The fiber is later spun into yarns on traditional spinning wheels called “Raatts” making it ready for weaving into a variety of different items. In furnishings, coir is most common in rugs, carpet, and mats. It is also utilized as a supportive layer in mattresses and cushions.
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Since natural fibers in the cellulosic category are all derived from plants, they share several characteristics, such as:
- The risk of cellulosic browning
- Becoming stronger when wet
- Poor resiliency (not able to easily bounce back when crushed).
- Easily damaged by acids
- Tolerates alkalies
Natural Protein Fibers
Silk
Silk is extruded by the silkworm when constructing its cocoon. Ther cocoons are harvested, and the individual silk threads are then extracted. Silk is the only natural filament fiber used in the manufacturing of fabric, with individual strands sometimes spanning over a mile in length! A filament fiber is a fine or thinly spun fabric of long length. Silk fibers are very strong, making them a great choice to use in upholstery or floor covering fabrics.
Silk is one of the most luxurious fabrics in the world. It takes a lot of time and effort to extract silk threads, which is why real silk fabrics can be very expensive! When purchasing silk, be sure that you check the label for 100% silk. Art silk and bamboo silk are a couple of the many names given to products that are not true silk.
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Mohair
Mohair is the fleece from a Turkish breed of domesticated goats knows as Angora goats. Angora goats are usually sheared twice a year to maximize mohair production. Mohair is a fine, silk fiber which has a high luster (unlike wool). It is relatively expensive and is seen in both clothing and furnishings.
In upholstery fabrics, mohair is almost always used in a velvet construction. It is regarded as one of the most forgiving and durable of the natural velvets.
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Wool
Wool is a protein fiber that is sheared from the fleece of sheep or lambs. In addition to its residential use, wool is a very popular fiber in commercial spaces due to its inherent flame-resistant and resilient properties. Wool is a popular choice for furnishings and clothing due to its temperature regulation qualities and versatility. Sheep can produce over 6.5 pounds of wool per year, making it easily accessible.
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Cashmere
Cashmere is a soft, fine fabric made from the fleece of the Cashmere goat. These goats are found primarily in India and Tibet. The color and density of the fiber varies based on where the goat is raised.
Cashmere’s premium price point is primarily due to its rarity. Cashmere only accounts for .5% of wool production in the world! Only 3-4 ounces of cashmere wool are produced by a cashmere goat per year, while it can take up to 35 ounces to make one cashmere fur coat. Making a rug or upholstery fabric from cashmere can take hundreds of ounces—meaning it will cost you a pretty penny!
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camel hair
Camel hair is gathered and processed as camels shed their thick winter coats in large chunks. The hair that is used to make soft products comes from the undercoat of the camel back. Camel hair is used in making overcoats, rugs, yarn, blankets and more! It is known to be a luxurious fiber with a higher price tag due to rarity and demand.
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Since natural fibers in the protein category are all derived from animal products, they have these properties in common:
- Good resiliency
- Tolerant to moderate acids
- Dissolves with household bleach
- Easily damaged by alkalis
- Weaker when wet
Fabric Protection
Be sure to consider the properties that a fiber has before using it in your furnishings and floor coverings to make sure it’s the right choice for your home. To make natural fibers more sustainable, Fiber-Seal fabric protection services and fiber sealant products keeps fabrics looking fresh for longer. Our fabric protection services allow spots and spills to easily be blotted away, and complimentary spot cleaning is included on any more troublesome spots.
