How long will this fabric take to decompose?

Fast fashion is destructive and wasteful. If you're a fan of Jackalo, you probably know this already. For those who are new, Fast Fashion refers to cheap, trendy clothing rapidly produced by mass-market retailers in response to the latest looks from Fashion Week. The rise of fast fashion has contributed significantly to the amount of clothing in landfills, severely impacting the environment. Not only are numerous resources and harmful chemicals used in creating this throw-away fashion, but many fast fashion companies also use non-biodegradable fabrics. This means these garments essentially last forever.

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A sustainable lifestyle is an imperfect practice. While we can't always make the most sustainable choices, I’ve outlined the most and least biodegradable fabrics below to help guide your decisions.

Bio-degradable fabrics to invest in

Cotton: decomposes in about 5 months

Organic cotton is one of the most sustainable fabrics, partly because it decomposes quickly. When composted, it can break down within a few weeks. Organic cotton is even better for the environment, causing minimal harm to humans, farmland, and the ecosystem as a whole.

These are among the reasons I use organic cotton in almost all of my play clothes for Jackalo. Whether they end up as hand-me-downs, in our TradeUp program, or in the compost bin, you can rest assured knowing you've minimized your environmental impact.

Linen: decomposes in about 2 weeks depending on the weight

Much like cotton, linen—derived from the flax plant—is considered one of the most sustainable fabrics in the fashion industry. In its purest form without dyes, it can decompose in just a few weeks. The material is naturally moth-resistant and often doesn't need dyes, coming in various natural shades. Although linen is not as commonly used as cotton due to its labor-intensive processing and higher cost, it is extremely durable and becomes softer with age. It's definitely a fabric worth the investment!

Hemp: decomposes in about 2 weeks in its most natural form

Don't worry, hemp is far less exciting than its cousin marijuana. Hemp is actually made from the stalk of the cannabis plant and contains little to no THC. The cannabis plant can easily overtake an area, making it low maintenance to grow. It requires minimal water and helps soil retain nutrients.

Non-biodegradable fabrics to avoid

Polyester: 20 to 200 years

Did you know polyester is made of plastic? While polyester can be recycled, it takes a long time to decompose. When it breaks down, it pollutes waterways and is consumed by marine life, posing unknown health risks to humans up the food chain. Polyester is also difficult to dye, requiring potent chemicals to add color. These dyes are hard to treat once in water and are toxic to the ecosystem when released.

Sequins: entirely non-biodegradable

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Many people love sequins for dressy events, and they're increasingly appearing on kids' clothes. While adding some shine to our lives during difficult times is appealing, it comes at a significant environmental cost. Traditional plastic sequins will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years since plastic doesn't biodegrade. They can also end up in waterways, harming organisms that may ingest them.

Spandex: entirely non-biodegradable

Similar to polyester, Spandex is a form of plastic, but it is a byproduct of petroleum. Besides being non-biodegradable, Spandex production requires extensive processing and the use of nonrenewable resources, making it one of the least sustainable fabrics available.

I hope this guide helps you make better choices for the environment. Are there other fabrics you are interested in knowing about? Share them below, and we'll update this guide with more information!

Quick tips:

1. Prioritize organic and natural fibers. Look for organic cotton, linen, and hemp, which are durable, comfortable, and climate-friendly fabrics.

2. Opt for recycled fibers when you can't use natural ones, for example, in workout clothes. Be sure to wash these carefully.

3. Avoid sequins. They might be fun, but they never break down. If you must have them, buy vintage. There's no need for new sequins in the world!

Designed in 1888 by a British textile owner, and picked up in the 1980s by sportswear manufacturers, mesh fabric has been a popular item in the fashion world for years. It is elastic, extremely strong, and breathable, making it indispensable for clothing designers. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at mesh fabric. What is mesh fabric? What characteristics does it have, and what can designers do with it?

What is mesh fabric?

Mesh is a lightweight woven fabric with a mesh-like appearance. It was initially designed by a textile owner seeking a breathable product capable of withstanding extreme temperature changes. The fabric is produced using looms to create open spaces between the yarns, resulting in a very breathable material. Initially catching the eye of sportswear manufacturers, mesh fabric has seen numerous improvements over the years and is now popular in both the fashion and medical industries.

What kind of material is mesh?

Mesh fabric is typically made from polyester, nylon, or spandex—synthetic materials known for their durability. Additionally, mesh can be made of metal to give the fabric a shiny appearance.

Although all mesh fabrics have a mesh-like structure, they can vary in weight, thickness, color, and finish. The material is also available with fine or coarser holes.

Mesh fabric: characteristics and applications

Due to its breathability, mesh is ideal for sportswear, dancewear, and shoes. However, it also possesses other special characteristics, such as:

• Water-resistance
• High elasticity
• Strength
• Wrinkle resistance
• Ease of maintenance

These characteristics make mesh fabric highly suitable for designing leggings, tunics, and lingerie.

Treat mesh fabric

Although mesh is a strong fabric, it must be handled with care. Avoid washing it too often and do not wash it at temperatures higher than 30 degrees Celsius. Let it dry naturally and refrain from ironing. If you must iron, do so at a low temperature.

Using mesh fabric in clothing

Due to its transparent, mesh-like appearance, mesh fabric is ideal for combining with other, non-transparent fabrics. Additionally, it is relatively easy to cut and sew. If you plan to use mesh in your clothing designs, here are some useful tips:

• Wash the fabric before processing to avoid creases during sewing.
• Use sharp scissors for cutting mesh fabric.
• Select the appropriate yarn: synthetic yarn for mesh fabrics based on polyester or nylon and cotton yarn for other mesh fabrics.
• Use zigzag stitches instead of straight stitches.

Also for the sustainable designer

House of U supports "slow fashion," which is fashion made for people and the environment. Our U-Circular Mesh fabric is made from 90 percent recycled polyester. This recycled polyester, called Rpet, is made from used and collected PET bottles.

Rpet is as effective as regular polyester but requires fewer raw materials. If you are a designer who values sustainability, U-Circular Mesh is the mesh fabric for you.

Printing mesh fabric

As a designer, you may want to add a personal touch to your collection, and mesh fabric is perfect for creating unique fashion items. For instance, you can print the fabric with your own design. This is easy with our design generator. Simply upload your personal design, and House of U will handle the rest, printing your design from one meter at our digital textile printing facility.

More about mesh?

Do you want to learn more about mesh fabric? Are you curious if mesh is the right fabric for your design? Don't hesitate to contact us. If you want to know about alternatives or seek inspiration, read our other blogs.

The company is the world’s best Yellow Polyester Mesh Belt supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly specialized and will help you find the product you need.