What are the different types of fabrics?
Today we’ll look at the many types of fabrics we may or may not use on a daily basis. This is going to be a list of what each fabric is and what they are normally used for. It will be a collection of both natural, synthetic and mixed fabrics.
Cotton
We’ll start with one of the most common fabrics on this list. Cotton is a very soft, staple fibre that comes from the Gossypium genus. These grow in tropical places around the world such as Egypt, Americas, Africa and India.
The word is derived from the Arabic word qutun, an unusual term in medieval times. Cotton is also known as the “king of the fibres”.
Uses
There are many uses for this type of fabric. When hear the word cotton, you might think “shirt” or “sock”. Might also have bed sheets, pillows and towels in mind. There is an absurd amount of uses of cotton that you can find but let’s take a look a few more unusual ones.
Cotton dipped in alcohol can remove ink stains from your damaged clothing. You can also keep rabbits away from your garden bed by soaking cotton with white vinegar. They’re also a great way to remove water spots.
Silk
Silk, coming from the old English “silken” is a protein fibre with natural properties. Silk is made from a specific species of larvae that forms their cocoons.
Uses
Silk is a luxury that can be used for typically fancy clothing worn by women or men. They are also found in the interior design world, you’ll find curtains, pillows, sheets and other decorations. Silk is also known for blending in with other fabrics as silk is naturally strong.
“Beware, though!” Notes moth exterminator Jordan Foster. “Both of these would easily become supper if you let bugs roam free”, the expert warns.
Rayon
The first hybrid fibre on the list. They’re many types of fabrics, variants and combinations.
Rayon is manufactured from silk, wool, cotton and linen. It’s known for being inexpensive but with the quality of a luxury fabric. This hybrid is also known as a semi-synthetic fibre.
Uses
Like the previous fabrics, you can find rayon in your sheets or furniture decor at home. Scarves, ties, suits, lingerie and other clothing is made using this fabric. You may also find rayon in cords of road tyres or even in surgical bandages, similar to nylon.
Polyester
Polyester is a straight up man-made material which it’s often referred to polyethylene terephthalate. This fibre is sometimes spun with other types of fabrics for example cotton.
With this strong union, the hybrid can be wrinkle and tear resistant and also reduces shrinking. Something of these properties have claimed to be superior to its natural counter parts.
Uses
Polyester, although man-made, it’s also another versatile fabric on this list. From clothing to upholstery to even ropes, this synthetic is made for it’s durability. It can with stand a lot movement and doesn’t wear down as easily as the rest. You can find uses for polyester in the industrial world. This includes filters, films, carpets and even artery replacements.
Leather
One of the more durable types of fabrics, this material is made by tanning skin of raw hides. The common animal used is cattle but you can use buffalo and goat hides. To go even further, you can get leather from crocodiles and snakes. The most percentage that leather is made from is in fact cows. Although cows are the go-to choice, pigs are much denser.
Uses
Whenever I hear the word “leather” an image of a wallet or a jackets comes to mind. You also have the class leather furniture, watches and other clothing.
Fibreglass
Fibre glass is a product of reinforced plastics using glass fibre. The fibres may be arranged and flattened into a sheet or woven into a fabric. This happens to be cheaper and more flexible than carbon fibre.
Uses
Fibre glass has it’s many uses like the fibre previously mentioned. However, this is more on an industrial scale. Aviation, you will be able to find fibre glass for the crafts air frame constructions.
Our homes contain the glass reinforced fibres, namely found in our bathrooms. You can also find this in wind turbine, medical beds just about every building you step foot into.
Acrylic
The types of fabrics that are man made are staggering, acrylic is one of them. This fabric is produced from a colorless yet flammable liquid derived from polypropylene. Making this a somewhat a relative to polyester.
This material has its benefits, such as not being able to wrinkle, quick to dry, color fast, easy to clean and bunch of other plus points.
Uses
Typically this fibre is used for clothing, bedding, furnishings, garden wear, and carpets. For something a little more different, it can also be used for the glass you see in large aquariums, even deep down in submarines.
You most likely won’t be using your fabrics for large scale industrial use but you have a better idea what to look out for, for your next project. Hopefully we learned a little something abut these types of fabrics.
