Natural textile fibers are not a discovery of modern societies. In fact, they have been part of textile history since its origins , both for the manufacture of household linens and clothing. As their name suggests, natural textile fibers are generated directly in nature and do not undergo chemical transformations during processing.
There are two main types:
Natural plant textile fibers : extracted from different parts of a plant (shells, stems, or seed hairs).
Animal textile fibers : the fur of certain animals is usually used, although they can also come from secretions, as in the case of silk.
What is Natural Fibre?
Natural fibre is defined as fibrous plant material produced as a result of photosynthesis. These fibres are sometimes referred to as vegetable, biomass, photomass, phytomass, agromass, solarmass or photosynthetic fibres. Natural fibres are obtained from natural resources such as plants, animals, and minerals.
They are antibacterial fabrics :
Especially after the pandemic, we’ve become accustomed to living with the use of all kinds of antibacterial products. But do we really know what this means for clothing? In the case of fabrics, it means that the spread of bacteria that come into contact with a garment is blocked. One of the most direct consequences of this property is that unpleasant odors are prevented. Although there are chemical textile fibers with specific antibacterial treatments, this is not a sustainable solution, nor is it recommended in all cases. However, most natural textile fibers are naturally antibacterial .
Types of Natural Fibres:
There are many types of natural fibres, each with their own unique properties.Few major fibres details explain below.
1. Cotton: One of the most widely used natural fibres, cotton is known for its softness, breathability, and absorbency. It is used to make clothing, home textiles, and industrial fabrics.
2. Wool: Derived from the hair of sheep, wool fibres are naturally crimped, providing insulation and elasticity. It is used to make clothing, blankets, and carpets.
3. Silk: Produced by silkworms, silk fibres are smooth and lustrous, making them popular for clothing and home textiles.
4. Flax: Fibres from the flax plant are strong and stiff, and are used to make linen fabrics.
5. Jute: Jute is a natural vegetable fibre which is produced from the stem of the plant Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis.
6. Coir: Coir is a natural fibre that comes from the husk of coconuts.
7. Sisal: Sisal is a natural fibre that comes from the leaves of the Agave sisalana plant.
8. Bamboo: Bamboo fibres are strong and durable, and are often used in textiles and building materials.
9. Alpaca, Llama and Angora rabbit: Fibres obtained from these animals are used for making clothing, blankets, and other textile products.
10. Wood: Fibres obtained from trees and other woody plants can be used to make a wide variety of products, including paper and building materials.
11. Seaweed and Shells: Natural fibers can be obtained from seaweed and shells, used for making textiles, rope, and other products.
The sustainability of natural textile fibers is unquestionable, and this translates into economic development in particularly impoverished areas of the planet. Furthermore, the use of natural textile fibers is a renewable, low-polluting, and biodegradable resource , in addition to being much more durable materials.
