Wool or acrylic: which fiber should you prefer?
Wool and acrylic are two textile fibers widely used in the production of knitwear garments, but they have very different characteristics.
Wool is a natural fiber of animal origin, which is obtained from shearing sheep. Acrylic is a synthetic fiber of petroleum origin, which is obtained from the polymerization of acrylonitrile.
But what are the advantages and disadvantages of these two fibers and which one should you choose based on quality, comfort and environmental impact?
Fiber quality
The quality of a fiber depends on its resistance, its softness and its brightness.
Wool is a resistant fibre, which does not deform and does not felt easily. Wool is also a soft fibre, which gives a feeling of warmth and cuddles to the body. Wool has a natural shine that can vary depending on the color and type of wool.
An acrylic fiber is less resistant than wool, and tends to deteriorate and lose its shape with use and washing. Acrylic is a soft fiber, which imitates wool due to its fluidity and lightness. Acrylic has an artificial brightness that depends on the chemical treatment to which it is subjected, as described in the article laposima.blogspot.com.
COMFORT
The comfort of a fiber depends on its breathability, its thermoregulation and its hygroscopicity.
Wool is a breathable fibre, which allows the body to breathe and maintain a constant temperature. Wool is a thermoregulating fibre, which insulates the body from cold and heat, depending on the seasons. Wool is a hygrosocopic natural fibre , which absorbs humidity and releases it slowly, avoiding the formation of bad smells.
An acrylic fiber is less breathable than wool, which can feel stuffy and sticky on the skin. Acrylic is a less thermoregulating fiber than wool, which does not adequately protect the body from temperature variations. Acrylic is a less hygroscopic fibre, it retains humidity and promotes the proliferation of bacteria and fungi and therefore bad smells.
Environmental impact
The environmental impact of a fiber depends on its origin, its production and its biodegradability.
Wool is a natural fibre, easily renewable because it grows naturally on the body of sheep. Wool requires little water and energy for its production, and does not produce toxic or polluting waste. Wool is a biodegradable natural fiber that decomposes easily and leaves no traces in the ecosystem .
Acrylic is a synthetic fibre, which comes from petroleum raw materials, which have a high environmental impact. Acrylic is a fiber that requires a lot of water and energy for its production, and which produces chemical waste and greenhouse gases. Acrylic degrades in a very long time compared to wool and releases microplastics into the environment.
Is wool or acrylic better?
Wool offers several advantages compared to acrylic. It is more resistant, breathable, thermoregulating, hygroscopic and has a more positive environmental impact. Acrylic is less durable, breathable, and less sustainable.
For those seeking quality , comfort and an eco-sustainable approach, wool emerges as the ideal choice. Opting for a wool sweater or accessory is a decidedly more advantageous alternative to acrylic.
