| Type of Fabric |
Synthetic fabric |
| What is it? |
Polyester is a generalised term for any fabric or textile, which is made using polyester yarns or fibres. It is a shortened name for a synthetic, man-made polymer, which, as a specific material, is most commonly referred to as a type called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic.
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| Quality |
Mostly poor.
Polyester is one of the worst fabrics for your body and the environment.
Manufactures love to use polyester because it’s cheap, however, consumers will thus have to suffer.
While Polyester feels strong, there is no breathability in the fabric and may irritate sensitive skin.
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| Environmental Impact |
Polyester is one of the most polluting fabrics.
Polyester is a synthetic petroleum-based fibre, and is therefore a non-renewable carbon-intensive resource. Nearly 70 million barrels of oil are used each year to make polyester around the world, which is now the most commonly used fiber in making clothes. But it takes more than 200 years to decompose.
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| How to Care |
While polyester has a short lifespan due to its low quality, you can still try to stretch out its lifespan with these “how to care” tips:
- Turn polyester-knit garments inside out before washing to prevent snags.
- Machine-wash polyester in warm water, using an all-purpose detergent. Use a chlorine bleach if necessary. Fabric softener will reduce static electricity.
- White polyester fabric will look even whiter if you soak it overnight in a mixture of 1/2 cup automatic dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon warm water. Launder as usual, but add 1/2 cup vinegar to the final rinse.
- Tumble-dry at a low temperature setting. Do not overly dry polyester; this will cause gradual shrinkage.
- Press polyester fabrics at a moderate temperature setting, or use steam.
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