Textile Fibre Guide
Natural Fibres:
COTTON
PLANT ORIGIN
- A strong fibre that has good natural durability.
- Has potential to be affected by mildew.
- Reasonable sunlight resistance but should be protected with a quality lining.
- Absorbent fibre: can move with changing humidity levels.
- When laundering, it may shrink. To reduce this, a certain finishing process can be done on the fabric called sanforising.
LINEN
PLANT ORIGIN
- Affected by acidic pollution.
- Will deteriorate over time when affected by mildew.
- Considered as the strongest of the natural fibres.
- Absorbent fibre: can move with changing humidity levels.
- Moderate sunlight resistance but should be protected by a quality lining.
SILK
ANIMAL ORIGIN
- Sensitive to UV light degradation: should not be used in direct sunlight or bright light.
- Absorbent fibre- may move in humid environments.
- Relatively strong fibre.
- Of all natural fibres, silk is regarded as the most exclusive.
WOOL
ANIMAL ORIGIN
- Pure wool: unless protected from direct sunlight, not considered suitable for curtains. To reduce this sensitivity, blend wool with synthetic fibres.
- Can be very durable when used in tightly woven constructions.
- Can deteriorate when affected by cloth moth larvae, bacteria and mildew.
- Has natural benefits of being flame retardant, dirt repellent, anti-static and temperature regulating.
VISCOSE/RAYON
- Has potential to be affected by mildew.
- Luxury finish.
- Very absorbent fibre: will move with changing humidity levels
- Should always be lined. Not UV resistant.
Synthetic Fibres:
ACRYLIC
- If used for upholstery application, it has good durability and abrasion resistance but pilling can happen.
- Excellent sunlight resistance
- Usually not affected by mildew.
- Not affected by acidic pollution.
- Strong and stable. Non-absorbent: will move very little in humid conditions.
NYLON
- Usually not affected by mildew.
- Yarn can weaken when there is long exposure to UV light.
- Very strong and stable. To improve durability for upholstery, it is often blended with other fibres.
POLYESTER
- Usually very good durability and abrasion resistance.
- Usually very good UV light resistance.
- Non-absorbent fibre: will move very little in humid conditions.
- Not affected by acidic pollution or mildew.
- Strong and stable.
POLYPROPYLENE
- Most suitable for outdoor application
- Colour fastness is excellent and excellent resistance to fading.
- Dries fast.
- Stain and soil resistance is high.
- Strong fibre: excellent abrasion resistance.
- Resistant to fading, mildew and chemicals making it easy to clean.
Sourcing: All contents are referred from JAMESDUNLOP TEXTILES.COM