What is artificial wool (acrylic)?
What is artificial wool (acrylic)? And, does it match up to the real stuff?
Wool vs. acrylic wool? Natural fibers vs. synthetic?
If you’re reading this article, these are questions that you have probably been asking yourself, too. We’ve provided you with some facts, so that you can decide for yourself.
Where did artificial wool come from?
Artificial wool was first developed in the 1940’s by a group of DuPont scientists. After the war, many people found that natural fibres were just too expensive and thus, artificial wool was born. Also widely known as acrylic, it is made from the unlikely combination of coal, air, water, oil and limestone.
Let's compare the two!
Artificial wool is lightweight, does not absorb water and can be quite a lot cheaper than it’s natural fibre alternative.
It also holds up well against abrasion from rock, concrete, or chaffing. But, does this mean it’s better?
First, the smell. Many people who have worn acrylic wool in the past have reported that artificial wool does develop a certain smell after long term use that just doesn’t seem to wash out. This may be because you tend to sweat more in artificial wool. Despite the fact that it is more lightweight, these garments don’t have a great level of breathability.
Artificial wool is usually made with polyester and acrylic fibres. Polyester is a synthetic fiber derived from coal and petroleum.
Polyester is durable, but was not designed to breathe or absorb liquids well. The acrylic fibers are manufactured using acrylonitrile or vinyl cyanide polymers. Acrylic is often considered an imitation wool as a result of its heat retention properties.
Acrylic fiber, which is made of acrylonitrile or vinyl cyanide, has the quality of being a substitute for wool due to its heat retention properties. Unfortunately, because of the fibres it is made with, it cannot match up to the breathing qualities of real wool.
Next, Artificial wool breaks down naturally over time, much quicker than natural fibres will, degrading around the 7 year mark. Because of this, you may find artificial wool items might not stay intact for as long as natural fibre garments.
The average washing machine in a household produces 730,000 microplastics every time acrylic wool is washed. Microplastics are tiny in size, but the total amount can quickly add up. Studies have revealed that up to 85% of the waste along shorelines around the world consists of microplastics! When objects made with acrylic yarns are disposed of, they can take up to 200 years to decompose.
To put that into perspective for you, according to research released by the University of California Santa Barbara, a synthetic fleece jacket releases approximately 1.7 grams of microfibres with every wash.
Wool is a natural fiber that is designed to keep in warmth, maintain a comfortable body temperature and wick away moisture.
Wool fibers actively react to the body, keeping you warm in cooler months. In warm weather, wool transfers heat and moisture along every fibre, releasing it to a cooler, drier environment, while in cold weather it keeps heat in.
Wool, being a natural fiber also means that it is more environmentally friendly than its artificial counterpart and gives you the chance to help out the farming community while being ethically conscious all at the same time!
Comparatively, wool is likely going to be more expensive to buy, it requires manpower to harvest, and it is a finite resource. Price is determined by supply and demand: the finer the wool, the thinner each strand is, meaning that it takes more wool to produce each strand, so the price is higher.
Secondly, it does take a while for it to fully dry once it is fully saturated with water. Although it will be able to keep you warm, if you fall into a lake you'll remain wet for a while. No surprise there I’m sure!
So, which is better for you?
After comparing the two, it is easy to see that artificial wool is a great alternative if natural fibres are a bit out of reach, whether that be from affordability or availability, there is definitely something on the market to suit everyone.
Hopefully, the information in this blog has equipped you with the knowledge to make the best decision for you. Choosing which fibre and garment is best for you means understanding what you want to get from it, and how much you’re willing to spend.
If you do decide that wool/merino blend products are for you, here at New Zealand Natural Clothing, we offer tried and tested Wool products that will not only give you longevity, will keep you warm and look great on. We have garments and accessories to fit all price ranges, lifestyles and activity levels.
Whether you need your products for outdoor activities, farming or simply something to keep you warm, our collection has the answer for all your natural fibre needs.