Textile fibers explained: From cotton, linen, and bamboo to modal, TENCEL™, and polyester

First things first: fiber, yarn and fabric are not the same

Cotton, polyester and modal are fibers. Fibers are spun into yarn; yarns are then knitted, woven or otherwise formed into textiles. Afterward, bleaching, dyeing, printing and finishing can make the fabric softer, smoother, water-repellent, more crease-resistant or more functional. This is why two fabrics with the exact same fiber composition can feel and perform very differently.

European regulations distinguish between natural fibers, synthetic fibers and man-made cellulose fibers. While viscose, modal and lyocell start from plant-based cellulose, the fiber itself is industrially reformed. Therefore, they do not belong in the same category as cotton or flax.[1]

The fiber is only one part of the story. The thickness and structure of the yarn, the knitting or weaving construction, and the finish also determine how a fabric feels, drapes, breathes and wears. The images are illustrative: a fiber composition cannot be reliably determined based solely on the appearance of a fabric.

 

Three families of textile fibers

·   Natural fibers grow as usable fibers in or on a plant, or are formed by an animal: cotton, flax/linen, hemp, wool and silk.

·   Regenerated cellulose fibers are dissolved from cellulose pulp and reformed into filaments: viscose, modal and lyocell. ‘Bamboo textile’ is usually bamboo viscose.

·   Synthetic fibers are polymers that are chemically synthesized, usually from fossil-based raw materials: polyester, polyamide, acrylic and elastane.

Comparison at a glance

 

Natural plant-based fibers

With natural plant-based fibers, the usable cellulose fiber is separated from the plant mechanically. Industrial steps such as cleaning, spinning, dyeing, and finishing follow.

Cotton

A cellulose fiber that grows as seed hairs around the seeds of the cotton plant.

Origin. Cotton comes from plants of the genus Gossypium. After flowering, the plant forms seed pods. When these are ripe, they open and the white fiber fluff becomes visible.

From raw material to fiber. After harvesting, the cotton gin separates the fibers from seeds and plant residue. The fiber bales go to the spinning mill, where cotton is opened, mixed, cleaned, and carded. For finer, smoother yarn, it can also be combed. This is followed by spinning, knitting or weaving, and optionally desizing, washing, bleaching, mercerizing, dyeing, and finishing. The USDA explicitly describes ginning as the separation and cleaning of cotton fiber and seed. [2]

Advantages and wearing comfort. Cotton generally feels soft and absorbs liquid moisture well. This makes it pleasant for underwear, T-shirts, and sleepwear. Breathability depends heavily on the construction: an open jersey breathes differently than a tightly woven denim. Because cotton retains moisture, it usually dries slower than polyester. Untreated cotton wrinkles and can shrink.

Environmental impact. Cotton is renewable and cellulose is biodegradable under suitable conditions, but cultivation can require significant land, irrigation water, fertilizers, and pesticides. The impact varies greatly per region and cultivation system. Rain-fed cotton in a suitable climate has a different water profile than irrigated cotton in a water-stressed area. Dyeing and finishing can also be major water and chemical hotspots. Therefore, look beyond just "cotton": traceable origin, recycled fiber, credible certification, and a long service life provide more information. [10][12]

Care. Always follow the label. Many cotton garments can be washed at 30 or 40 °C; white, sturdy items sometimes tolerate more, but that cannot be determined from the fiber name alone. Wash dark colors inside out, avoid unnecessarily high temperatures, and preferably air dry to limit shrinkage, wear, and energy consumption. Cotton can generally be ironed at higher temperatures than synthetic fibers, strictly within the limits of the care label. [13]

Linen

Linen is the textile term for fibers from the stem of flax (Linum usitatissimum).

Origin. The long bast fibers lie in bundles around the woody interior of the flax stem. For textile flax, the entire plant is usually pulled from the ground to maintain maximum fiber length.

From raw material to fiber. After pulling, the flax remains in the field for dew retting: microorganisms break down the pectin that holds fiber bundles and woody parts together. Afterward, the stems are broken and scutched to remove the woody parts. Heckling organizes and refines the long fibers; they are then spun and woven or knitted. The European Commission describes precisely this chain of pulling, retting, scutching, combing, spinning, and weaving. [3]

Benefits and wearing comfort. Linen is strong, absorbs moisture, and releases it relatively quickly. As a result, a light, open linen fabric often feels cool and dry. The fiber has little elasticity: characteristic creases are part of the material. New fabric can feel stiff and generally becomes more supple through wear and washing.

Environmental impact. European flax is often grown using rainwater and, according to the European Commission, has a low fertilizer requirement; rotation is important. This makes cultivation in suitable regions relatively low-impact. However, the total footprint also includes retting, mechanical processing, spinning, dyeing, and garment assembly. Water retting without proper wastewater treatment can be highly polluting; dew retting in the field avoids this wastewater stream. [3][16]

Maintenance. Check the label, especially for garments with lining or a shape-retentive finish. Wash most linen clothing at 30 or 40 °C with a limited spin cycle, remove promptly from the machine, and line dry. If desired, iron while the fabric is still slightly damp. High drying temperatures can increase shrinkage and wrinkling. [13]

Hemp

A bast fiber from the stem of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.).

Origin. Textile hemp is grown to produce long stems with strong bast fibers. The textile fiber is not found in the leaf or seed, but in the outer fiber layer of the stem.

From raw material to fiber. After harvest, retting follows to loosen the fiber bundles. Decortication breaks and separates the woody core. For finer clothing textiles, the bundles are further degummed and opened; "cottonization" shortens and refines them so they can be processed on cotton spinning machinery. This is followed by spinning, knitting or weaving, and the usual wet processes.

Benefits and wearing comfort. Hemp fiber is strong and durable. Well-processed hemp fabric can be airy and absorbent, but is naturally less fine than cotton. The feel varies from sturdy canvas-like to soft, depending on degumming, fiber length, yarn, construction, and blends. Like linen, hemp has little elastic recovery and creases relatively easily.

Environmental impact. Hemp can grow with limited inputs in suitable farming systems and fits well as a rotation crop, but "hemp" is not an automatic environmental guarantee. Retting and, especially, intensive chemical degumming can require water, energy, and chemicals. The JRC cites retting/degumming, spinning, and fiber treatment specifically as process steps with significant improvement potential. [8]

Maintenance. Treat fine hemp textiles like linen: follow the label, generally wash cool to moderately warm, use a mild cycle for light fabrics, and limit drying temperature. Air drying helps maintain size and fiber strength. Iron while slightly damp if necessary, within the indicated temperature range. [13]

Natural animal fibers

Wool and silk consist mainly of proteins, not cellulose. This causes them to react differently to moisture, heat, friction, bleaching agents, and alkaline detergents.

Wool

A keratin fiber from the fleece of sheep; fineness and structure vary by breed.

Origin. Sheep continuously form wool fibers in their fleece. Merino refers to sheep breeds that generally provide fine wool, but the actual micron value, yarn structure, and finish determine how soft the final product feels against the skin.

From raw material to fiber. After shearing, the fleece is sorted. Washing or "scouring" removes wool grease (lanolin), sweat salts, soil, and vegetable matter. The wool is then carded; for smooth worsted yarns, it is also combed so that short fibers are removed and long fibers lie parallel. Next come spinning, knitting or weaving, dyeing, and potentially anti-shrink treatment. [15]

Benefits and wearing comfort. Wool can absorb water vapor into the fiber and release it, which buffers the microclimate next to the skin. The crimped fibers also trap air, which supports thermal comfort in both cold and varying conditions. Wool is relatively slow to pick up odors and therefore often requires less frequent washing. An itchy sensation is mainly related to fiber diameter, protruding fiber ends, fabric construction, and individual sensitivity; not all wool feels the same. [15]

Environmental impact. Wool is renewable and can last a long time, but the livestock phase involves land use and greenhouse gas emissions, with methane from sheep's digestion being a major concern. Local grazing can have positive or negative ecosystem effects, depending on management and carrying capacity. Washing raw wool causes a concentrated wastewater stream that must be treated. Animal welfare and potential anti-shrink chemicals are also part of a full assessment.

Maintenance. Air out wool first and only wash when necessary. Follow the label: only machine-washable wool belongs in a wool cycle. Use a suitable wool detergent, minimal mechanical action, and a low temperature. Do not wring; lay knitted wool flat to dry in shape. Heat, moisture, and friction combined can cause untreated wool to irreversibly felt and shrink. [13][14]

Silk

A continuous protein filament from the cocoon of the silkworm, usually Bombyx mori.

Origin. In classic sericulture, domesticated silkworms eat leaves from the mulberry tree. The caterpillar spins fibroin filaments that are bonded together by sericin to form a cocoon.

From raw material to fiber. In conventional reeled silk, the pupa in the cocoon is killed with hot air or steam before the moth can break through the filament. Warm water softens the sericin, after which several extremely fine filaments are unwound together. Degumming removes much of the sericin; then filaments are twisted, woven or knitted, and dyed. Broken or short fibers can be processed as spun silk. The FAO describes this chain and filament lengths of hundreds of meters. [4]

Benefits and wearing comfort. Silk combines a smooth surface with low weight and an elegant drape. The fiber can absorb moisture and often feels comfortable in changing temperatures in thin constructions. Silk is strong for its fineness but can weaken when wet and through prolonged exposure to sunlight. Its luster is partly due to the fiber reflecting light on different planes.

Environmental impact. The impact includes mulberry cultivation, space and feed for the caterpillars, water and heat for cocoon processing, plus degumming, dyeing, and finishing. Energy source, water purification, and yield are decisive. The conventional method kills the pupa; this is an animal welfare issue. "Peace silk" or "ahimsa" refers to alternative methods, but without a traceable standard, it is not a complete guarantee of environment or welfare.

Maintenance. Follow the label strictly. Many silk garments require hand washing, a very mild cycle, or professional cleaning. Use cool water and a mild detergent suitable for silk; do not soak, rub, or wring. Gently roll moisture out in a towel and dry away from direct sunlight. Iron cool on the reverse side while the fabric is still slightly damp, if the label permits. [13]

Regenerated cellulose

These fibers start with cellulose from wood, bamboo, cotton linters, or another source. The cellulose is processed into pure pulp, dissolved, and pressed through fine openings. In a bath, it becomes solid cellulose again. The raw material is biobased; the production process is industrial and chemical.

Bamboo textile: usually viscose, rarely mechanical bamboo fiber

 

The plant is bamboo, but the soft clothing fiber on the label is usually viscose made from bamboo cellulose.

Origin. Bamboo is a collective name for fast-growing grasses. Some species grow without irrigation or pesticides in their local farming system, but that says nothing about forest conversion, fertilization, pulp preparation, or fiber production.

From raw material to fiber. For soft clothing, bamboo is usually pulped and converted via the viscose process: cellulose reacts with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, is dissolved, and then regenerated into cellulose filaments in an acid spinning bath. Mechanically extracted bamboo bast fiber exists but is coarser and rare. The correct description is therefore usually "viscose from bamboo" rather than simply "bamboo." [5][6]

Benefits and wearing comfort. Bamboo viscose often feels soft, supple, and cool and absorbs moisture well. These are properties of the formed viscose fiber and the fabric construction. They should not be automatically attributed to the living bamboo plant. The US FTC states that there is no evidence that viscose from bamboo retains the natural antibacterial properties of the plant. [5]

Environmental impact. Rapid plant growth does not automatically make the entire chain sustainable. The key questions are: where and how was the bamboo grown, is the pulp source traceable, which viscose factory made the fiber, and how much carbon disulfide, sulfur compounds, and wastewater were recovered or treated? Without this data, a broad claim like "environmentally friendly bamboo" is unsubstantiated.

Maintenance. Treat bamboo viscose as viscose, not as a hard bamboo fiber: wash usually at 30 °C or according to the label, choose limited mechanical action, and avoid high drying temperatures. Handle wet textiles carefully and do not stretch or wring hard. [13]

Viscose

 

Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fiber, usually from dissolving pulp of wood.

Origin. Viscose can be made from cellulose-containing raw materials such as wood pulp, cotton linters, or bamboo pulp. The name thus refers to the process and the fiber, not one specific tree or plant.

From raw material to fiber. Purified cellulose is converted with sodium hydroxide into alkali cellulose and then reacts with carbon disulfide to form cellulose xanthate. This dissolves into the viscous viscose solution. After filtering and deaerating, the solution passes through spinnerets into an acid bath, where cellulose is regenerated. The fibers are washed, potentially cut, dried, and processed into yarn. [6]

Benefits and wearing comfort. Viscose generally has a soft hand, beautiful drape, and high moisture absorption. This makes the fiber attractive for underwear, dresses, and supple shirts. Classic viscose loses relatively much strength when wet and can deform or shrink if the fabric construction and finish do not account for this.

Environmental impact. The cellulose source must be legally and responsibly managed to limit forest risks. In the factory, carbon disulfide, sulfur-containing emissions, sodium hydroxide, acid, and wastewater are the main points of attention. Modern facilities can extensively recover chemicals and energy, but performance varies by producer. "Plant-based origin" is therefore insufficient as proof of sustainability. [6][8][16]

Maintenance. Wash according to the label, often at 30 °C on a delicate cycle. Do not overfill the drum, use a low spin speed, and do not pull wet clothing out of shape. Air drying is usually safer than hot tumble drying. Iron moderately warm if the label allows it. [13]

Modal

Modal is a stronger, more shape-retentive variant within the viscose family.

Origin. Modal is not a plant species. According to the legal fiber definition, it is a regenerated cellulose fiber from a modified viscose process, with high breaking strength and high wet modulus. Beech wood is a commonly used source by certain producers, but the fiber name "modal" does not in itself guarantee a tree species or origin. [1]

From raw material to fiber. The production chain resembles viscose: wood becomes dissolving pulp; the cellulose is dissolved via alkali treatment and xanthation and regenerated in a spinning bath. Process conditions and molecular structure are controlled to create a fiber with better strength and shape stability in wet conditions.

Benefits and wearing comfort. Modal is soft, smooth, and supple, absorbs moisture, and generally retains its shape better during washing than standard viscose. Fine modal yarns are widely used in underwear and clothing worn close to the skin. Pilling, stretch, and longevity still depend on yarn quality, knit, weight, and blend.

Environmental impact. Modal shares the raw material and chemical risks of the viscose family: forest management, pulp preparation, carbon disulfide, sulfur emissions, water, and energy. An integrated factory with certified pulp, efficient recovery, and good emission treatment can perform much better than an opaque chain. Therefore, assess the producer and certification, not just the name modal. [8][16]

Care. Often washable at 30 or 40 °C, but the garment label decides. A gentle cycle, moderate spin, and low drying temperature limit deformation and surface wear. Air drying is a safe standard; iron at a moderate temperature if permitted. [13]

Lyocell and TENCEL™

Lyocell is the generic fiber name; TENCEL™ is a brand under which Lenzing sells fibers including lyocell and modal.

Origin. Lyocell is usually made from cellulose pulp derived from wood. The EU defines lyocell as regenerated cellulose produced via dissolving and spinning in an organic solvent, without first forming a chemical derivative of cellulose. [1]

From raw material to fiber. The pulp is dissolved directly in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) and water. The solution is filtered and pressed through spinnerets; in an aqueous bath, the cellulose solidifies into a filament. This is followed by washing, finishing, drying, and, if applicable, cutting into staple fiber. For its own lyocell process, Lenzing reports a 99.8% recovery rate of NMMO. That percentage applies to that specific production process and should not be applied to all lyocell without proof. [7]

Benefits and comfort. Lyocell usually feels smooth and supple, absorbs moisture well, and has good dry and wet strength. Depending on the construction, the fabric can be cool, fluid, or firm. Some lyocell surfaces may fibrillate due to wet friction: very fine fiber hairs may then appear on the surface. Manufacturers control this through the process and finish.

Environmental impact. Lyocell avoids the xanthation step and the carbon disulfide of classic viscose. In an efficient closed-loop system, solvent loss is low. However, pulp origin, energy, water, additives, dyeing, and finishing remain relevant. TENCEL™ is useful traceable brand information, but not a synonym for every lyocell fiber and not proof that the entire garment is impact-free. [7][8]

Care. Follow the label; many lyocell garments require 30 °C, a delicate wash cycle, and a low spin speed. Washing inside out reduces surface friction. Avoid high drying and ironing temperatures. Hang or lay the garment in shape to dry, depending on weight and construction. [13]

Synthetic fibers

Synthetic fibers are artificially constructed polymers. They are pressed through spinnerets as a molten polymer or polymer solution and then stretched, set, and, if applicable, crimped or cut.

Polyester

The most commonly used clothing variant is PET: polyethylene terephthalate.

Origin. Virgin PET is typically made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate, raw materials usually derived from crude oil or natural gas. Recycled polyester can come from sources such as PET bottles or production waste; textile-to-textile recycling exists but is still limited.

From raw material to fiber. The monomers react to form long PET chains. The polymer is formed into chips or processed directly, melted, and pressed through spinnerets. Cold air solidifies the filaments. Stretching aligns the molecules and increases strength; thereafter, filaments can be textured, crimped, heat-set, or cut into staple fiber. [9]

Benefits and comfort. Polyester is strong, dimensionally stable, crease-resistant, and dries quickly because it absorbs little moisture into the fiber. With yarn shape and knit structure, moisture can be moved along the surface. Comfort therefore varies greatly: a technical sports knit and a dense, cheap polyester fabric behave differently. Polyester is easy-care and durable, but odors and oily stains can be more stubborn.

Environmental impact. Virgin polyester uses non-renewable fossil raw materials and energy. Production causes greenhouse gas and air emissions; dyeing and finishing add to the impact. During production, wear, washing, and waste disposal, plastic microfibers can be released. Recycled polyester reduces the demand for virgin raw material, but it is still PET and does not automatically solve microfiber loss or the end-of-life disposal phase. [9][10][11]

Care. Usually wash at 30 or 40 °C according to the label. Choose a short, appropriate cycle and avoid over-washing. Low temperatures protect shape and save energy; high ironing or drying temperatures can deform the thermoplastic fiber. A full but not overloaded machine and less friction help limit wear. [11][13]

Polyamide = nylon

A family of strong synthetic fibers; nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 are the best known.

Origin. Nylon 6 is made from caprolactam. Nylon 6,6 is created from substances including adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine. The raw materials are typically fossil-based. 'Polyamide' is the legal fiber name; 'nylon' is the common name.

From raw material to fiber. The raw materials polymerize into polyamide. As with polyester, the polymer is usually melted, pressed through spinnerets, cooled, and stretched. Filaments can remain smooth for hosiery or be textured for voluminous, elastic yarns. [9]

Benefits and comfort. Polyamide combines high tensile and abrasion strength with a smooth surface and good elastic recovery. It absorbs more moisture than polyester, but much less than cellulose fibers, and dries relatively quickly. This makes it suitable for hosiery, sportswear, and lingerie. It can deform under heat and is sensitive to certain oxidative bleaches.

Environmental impact. Polyamide requires fossil raw materials and energy. In certain production routes for nylon 6,6, nitrous oxide (N₂O), a powerful greenhouse gas, can be produced during the manufacture of adipic acid; modern emission control is therefore important. Nylon can also lose plastic microfibers. Recycled polyamide reduces virgin material usage, provided the origin and chain are verifiable. [10][16]

Care. Wash cool to moderately warm according to the label and limit friction. Avoid chlorine bleach unless explicitly permitted. Dry at low temperature or air dry and only iron on a low setting; GINETEX links the low iron setting to materials including polyamide and acrylic. [13]

Acrylic

A synthetic fiber based on polyacrylonitrile, often used as a wool-like material.

Origin. According to the legal definition, acrylic consists of at least 85% by mass of acrylonitrile units. Acrylonitrile is industrially produced from substances including propylene and ammonia. [1][9]

From raw material to fiber. After polymerization, polyacrylonitrile is dissolved in a solvent. During wet spinning, the solution solidifies in a bath; during dry spinning, the solvent evaporates in warm air. The filaments are washed or dried, stretched, crimped, and usually cut into staple fiber. EPA documentation lists acrylonitrile and solvents as relevant emissions during this production. [9]

Benefits and comfort. Acrylic is lightweight, warm, and can be spun to be soft and voluminous. It absorbs little moisture and dries quickly. It is less resilient and abrasion-resistant than many types of wool and, depending on quality and construction, can pill or become static relatively quickly.

Environmental impact. Acrylic is fossil-based and not biodegradable. Production requires solvents and emission controls; acrylonitrile is a regulated hazardous air pollutant in production environments. During use and washing, plastic microfibers can be released. The lifespan of the product is therefore extra important. [9][11]

Care. Wash on a delicate cycle at a low to moderate temperature according to the label. Limit friction and high spin speeds to reduce pilling. Do not dry or iron at high heat: acrylic is thermoplastic and can permanently deform. [13]

Elastane

The fiber that gives stretch and recovery to form-fitting clothing; also known by brand names such as Lycra®.

Origin. Elastane is not rubber thread. The EU defines it as an elastomer containing at least 85% by mass of segmented polyurethane which, after substantial stretching, returns rapidly and largely to its original length. [1]

From raw material to fiber. The polyurethane segments are chemically constructed into an elastic polymer. This is typically spun into filaments from solution, with the solvent being recovered, and then wound onto spools. In fabrics, elastane is almost always combined with other fibers; it can be knitted bare or wrapped with cotton, polyamide, or polyester.

Benefits and comfort. Even a relatively small percentage can improve freedom of movement, a snug fit, and shape retention. The comfort comes from controlled stretch, not from moisture absorption: the surrounding fibers and fabric construction determine heat and moisture behavior. Excessive compression is a design and sizing issue, not an unavoidable characteristic of elastane.

Environmental impact. The raw materials are typically fossil-based and production uses reactive chemistry and solvents. Elastane in blends complicates fiber-to-fiber recycling because different polymers are difficult to separate. The material can also contribute to microplastic loss. Long-lasting retention of stretch and fit can extend the service life, but does not automatically make the blend circular.

Care. Wash cool according to the garment label and avoid unnecessarily high drying and ironing temperatures. Heat accelerates the loss of elasticity. Use chlorine bleach only if the label explicitly allows it. Handle sports and compression wear with care and preferably air dry. [13]

Blends: why fibers are mixed

Many garments are intentionally made of multiple fibers. A blend is not a sign of lesser quality; it can combine functions that a single fiber does not provide simultaneously. The downside is that mixed materials are generally more difficult to recycle into high-quality products at the end of their lifespan.

·   Cotton + elastane: softness and moisture absorption with stretch and fit retention.

·   Modal + elastane: supple hand with freedom of movement in underwear and nightwear.

·   Wool + polyamide: thermal comfort with extra durability, for example in socks.

·   Polyester + cotton: faster drying and wrinkle recovery combined with cotton comfort.

·   Polyamide + elastane: smooth, lightweight, stretchy fabrics for lingerie and sportswear.

How to carefully assess a fabric?

1. Read the full fiber composition and percentages. "With bamboo" is insufficient; look for the actual fiber name.

2. For regenerated cellulose, ask about the pulp origin, manufacturer, and chemical recovery.

3. For natural fibers, look at the cultivation system, the region, and reliable certification, not just the plant name.

4. Assess the garment: fabric weight, density, seams, pilling, shape retention, and wash durability determine how long it will last.

5. Use the care label as a baseline. The fiber name alone does not take into account dyes, finishes, lining, prints, and construction.

6. Choose according to the intended use. A sustainable choice is also a garment that performs its function well and is actually worn for a long time.

Maintenance: seven rules that almost always help

1. The label comes first. The symbols indicate the harshest treatment the entire garment can handle, including color, finish, print, lining, and trims.
2. Wash less often when hygiene permits. Airing and spot cleaning can save water, energy, and wear.
3. Choose the lowest effective temperature. This limits energy use and protects many fibers, elastane, colors, and finishes.
4. Dose correctly. Too much detergent is harder to rinse out; too little may leave dirt and odors behind. Follow water hardness, load size, and product recommendations.
5. Limit mechanical stress. Washing inside out, closing zippers, and choosing a suitable program reduces friction and surface damage.
6. Dry with care. Air drying saves energy and prevents much heat damage. Dry wool and heavy knitwear flat to prevent stretching.
7. Repair early. A loose seam or small hole is easier to fix before further tearing occurs.

GINETEX emphasizes that the wash temperature in the tub is the maximum, not a mandatory temperature. A bar under the tub means a milder process; two bars mean a very mild process. The dots for drying and ironing indicate the allowed heat. [13]

Frequently asked questions

Is bamboo a natural textile fiber?

The plant is natural, but soft ‘bamboo clothing’ is usually viscose made from bamboo cellulose. Mechanical bamboo bast fiber is rare and coarser. Check the composition on the label.

Are modal and TENCEL™ the same?

No. Modal is a generic fiber category. TENCEL™ is a Lenzing brand for specific lyocell and modal fibers. A garment with TENCEL™ can therefore contain lyocell, modal, or a blend; read the exact composition.

What is the difference between viscose and lyocell?

Both are regenerated cellulose. Viscose first creates a cellulose derivative via carbon disulfide; lyocell dissolves cellulose directly, usually in NMMO. An efficient lyocell system can recover much of the solvent.

Which fiber is the most sustainable?

There is no universal winner. The conclusion changes depending on whether water, land, climate, chemical emissions, microplastics, lifespan, or recyclability is the focus. Origin, factory, quality, and use are at least as important as the fiber name.

Which fabric is best for sensitive skin?

No fiber name guarantees that a garment will not cause irritation. Softness, seams, fit, moisture, dyes, finishes, detergent residues, and individual sensitivity all play a role. In case of persistent complaints, professional medical advice is recommended.

Does polyester breathe?

Air permeability is primarily a characteristic of the fabric construction. Polyester absorbs little moisture into the fiber, but an open knit can allow air to pass through, and a technical yarn can move moisture along the surface. A dense weave, conversely, may not ventilate well.

Is recycled polyester biodegradable?

No. Recycled PET is still chemically polyester. It reduces the need for virgin PET, but it remains a plastic fiber that can shed microplastics and does not biodegrade on its own.

Conclusion

The origin of a fiber is only the beginning of the story. Cotton grows around a seed, linen and hemp come from stalks, wool and silk are protein fibers, viscose and lyocell are reformed from cellulose, and polyester, polyamide, acrylic, and elastane are built as polymers. Each route has its own strengths and its own environmental hotspots.

Those who want to expertly evaluate textiles therefore ask five questions: what exactly is the fiber, where does the raw material come from, how was the fiber produced, how long will the garment remain usable, and what maintenance does it require? That combination yields a much more reliable answer than labels like ‘natural’, ‘bamboo’, or ‘recycled’ by themselves.

About this article

This article has been prepared by the MyComfort24 editorial team with the aim of clearly and factually explaining technical information about textile fibers. Technical, scientific, and institutional sources have been used for the content. Where the environmental impact of a fiber depends on cultivation, production process, energy use, chemical processing, lifespan, or other circumstances, that nuance is preserved as much as possible.

The content is periodically reviewed and updated where necessary when new or better information becomes available. The consulted sources are included below so that the most important technical information and claims remain verifiable.

Editorial: MyComfort24 Knowledge Base
Published: August 2026
Last content check: August 2026

 

Sources and technical references

[1] European Union, Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011: legal fiber names and definitions. Open source

[2] USDA Economic Research Service, Cotton Sector at a Glance: harvesting and ginning. Open source

[3] European Commission, Flax: cultivation, retting, scutching, and processing into linen. Open source

[4] FAO, Silk Reeling and Testing Manual: silkworm, cocoon, and reeling. Open source

[5] U.S. Federal Trade Commission, Bamboo Fabrics: correct naming and claims. Open source

[6] U.S. EPA, AP-42 Chapter 6.9: viscose process and synthetic fiber production. Open source

[7] Lenzing, Fiber Technologies: production processes for lyocell, viscose, and modal. Open source

[8] European Commission Joint Research Centre, Unlocking the potential of bio-based textiles. Open source

[9] U.S. EPA, Synthetic Fibers: PET, acrylic, and nylon, spinning processes, and emission points. Open source

[10] European Environment Agency, Plastic in textiles: comparison and lifecycle impact. Open source

[11] European Environment Agency, Microplastics from textiles: sources and maintenance phase. Open source

[12] UN Environment Programme, Sustainability and Circularity in the Textile Value Chain. Open source

[13] GINETEX, Care Symbols according to ISO 3758: washing, drying, and ironing. Open source

[14] Woolmark, Wool Washing & Wool Care: washing, airing, and drying of wool. Open source

[15] International Wool Textile Organisation, Wool Science and moisture behavior. Open source

[16] European Commission, EU Ecolabel criteria for textiles: fibers, emissions, and wet processes. Open source

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