The manufacturers are now outdoing each other with different materials and the customer has difficulty getting an overview. In this article we try to give an overview of the most commonly used fabrics made from natural materials.
What is a natural fiber?
Natural fibers are fabrics that are obtained directly from natural fibers, such as cotton, wool or linen. Your advantage: They feel pleasant on the skin.
Cotton
The classic among the upholstery materials is a pure natural product, which with its coarse look is currently particularly popular with country or Skandi look is used and particularly shines with its breathability and durability.
However: Cotton is sensitive to dirt and wrinkles, so you should use an appropriate coating or a mix of cotton with other fabrics. Removable cushion covers that can be put in the washing machine are also very practical.
Linen
Linen has similar properties to cotton, but looks a little coarser and has a slight sheen. As a purely natural product, it is breathable and skin-friendly. Because of its cooling effect it is particularly popular in summer. Visually, linen goes well with all natural furnishing styles such asweis e Modern Country or New Scandinavian.
New wool
Do you know the difference between wool and virgin wool?
New wool comes from live animals and is of particularly high quality.
Wool, on the other hand, can come from dead animals or be made from the remains of old textiles. New wool is therefore the fresher wool, usually directly from the hair of sheep!
Wool covers give your upholstery an elegant and high-quality aura. As a purely natural product, virgin wool has a pleasant temperature-regulating effect and therefore never feels too warm or too cold on the skin. Virgin wool is breathable, antibacterial and dirt-repellent.
Mixed fabric
Viscose
Viscose is similar in structure to cotton and is also of natural origin - but manufactured artificially. Viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber. This means that it is based on natural cellulose, but the end product is manufactured using an artificial process. The fine fibers are used to produce artificial silk, also known as “Rayon”. Viscose is pleasantly soft to the touch, is kind to the skin and has a silky sheen.
Which fabric suits me best?
As is often the case, the answer is not quite so clear. Ideally, you would like to have the advantages of all textiles and no disadvantages. This is also the reason why manufacturers often combine types of fabrics (blends). Natural and artificial materials are also combined to combine a pleasant feel with high durability. However, the type of fabric should not be the only deciding factor when making your selection. The weave and quality of the material chosen also have a decisive influence. Certifications also help here, which we will discuss in a later article.
