10 Sustainable Fabrics for Your Home

A lot of the fabrics we wear, sleep under and sit on are actually made of plastic. And more and more, we’re realizing how problematic these fabrics are.

Synthetics like nylon, polyester and microfiber contaminate our waterways with microplastics and introduce harmful dyes and fumes into our homes. They also contribute to climate change from start to finish because they’re largely made from petrochemicals (aka fossil fuels).

“In the 1960s, natural fibers made up 80% of apparel and household textiles,” says John Gage, co-founder of Appalachian Gear Company. “Today, synthetics make up between two-thirds and three-quarters. This is an astonishing change.”

But as awareness grows about today’s environmental problems, sustainable fabrics are making a comeback.

“Virtually all households and home settings use some form of fabric or textile, which is why it’s such a pivotal area that we chose to focus on,” says Aaron Hobson, vice president of product operations at Cariloha.

“Sustainable home products of all varieties are an essential way to reduce our carbon footprint and wasteful production of goods, which are harming our planet through greenhouse emissions, water consumption and energy usage.”

What exactly makes a fabric sustainable can be open to interpretation. In general, they’re textiles made from natural materials. Sustainable fabrics are biodegradable, recyclable and sustainably produced in accordance with acceptable standards such as OEKO-Tex 100 and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

“Ideally, they are also made on farms and in factories that use ethical ecological and labor standards, such as regenerative farming, good animal welfare and safe working conditions,” says Gage.

To determine if a particular textile is sustainable, look for third-party certifications on product labels and consult shopping apps like The Commons.

About the Experts

Aaron Hobson is vice president of product development at Cariloha, where he oversees textile production and operations. He’s dedicated to creating sustainable, affordable luxury home textile products, using his years of hands-on experience in the textiles industry.

John Gage has worked in textile manufacturing for more than 25 years. He’s also a co-founder of Appalachian Gear Company, where he creates products from natural fibers with a commitment to ethics, people and the environment.

Here are some sustainable fabrics to consider using in your home.

Alpaca Fiber

Alpacas are native to the high-altitude mountains of South America, so their fleece is particularly good for making lightweight, moisture-wicking, cozy blankets and clothing.

It’s a renewable and sustainable resource because the fleece is periodically shorn without harming the animals, and it’s biodegradable. Gage uses alpaca fiber for his company’s outdoor adventure apparel because it’s breathable, doesn’t absorb much moisture, dries quickly and lasts a long time.

Merino Wool

Sheep’s wool delivers many of the same benefits as alpaca fleece, especially for blankets. “Wool is also an active fiber that reacts to changes in body temperature, so it helps you stay warm when the weather is cold, and cool when the weather is hot,” says Maria Estrada, global director at Nativa.

When shopping for wool blankets and upholstery covers, opt for Merino wool, because its finer fibers make it softer and less itchy. Look for companies that support regenerative farming, best shearing practices and farmer community-improvement initiatives.

Organic Hemp, Jute (Burlap) and Linen

Hemp is a miracle crop, a rapidly growing plant that can thrive under many conditions. It requires one-third the water that cotton does while yielding a crop with twice as much fiber. It requires few, if any, chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

It soaks up carbon dioxide from the air, making it a climate champion. And it regenerates soil quickly for food crops like corn, wheat and barley.

Once turned into fabric, hemp is touted for its durability, mildew resistance, antibacterial qualities and exceptional dye-ability. It’s also biodegradable and blocks UV light. Household products made from hemp range from window and shower curtains to bedding, yarn and upholstery fabric.

Like hemp, burlap and linen have similar environmental and sustainability benefits. Burlap is great for everything from reusable grocery bags and hammocks to mats, flooring insulation and rugs. Linen is softer and more flexible, making it great for bedding, curtains and clothing.

Traditional sustainable linen is made from flax, while synthetic linens can be made from polyester and viscose (rayon).

Recycled Materials

It’s a bonus when you can make fabric from something that would have otherwise gone to the landfill.

Saris, those brightly colored traditional Indian outfits, are made primarily from silk and cotton and are increasingly being turned into everything from curtains to yoga mats and birdhouses. Some companies are also repurposing plastics gathered during beach and ocean cleanups into clothing, sunglasses and furniture.

Some cotton, linen and viscose fibers are also recycled. And speaking of recycling, don’t forget to continue the sustainability cycle by recycling your old fabrics with a service like Ridwell.

Bamboo and Other Viscose Fibers

Viscose fibers, aka rayons, are made from the wood pulp of fast-growing, regenerative plants like bamboo, soy and sugar cane, along with trees like beech, pine and eucalyptus.

“Bamboo is an extremely renewable, self-replenishing resource, as it doesn’t have to be reseeded, treated with pesticides or irrigated with additional water resources beyond the natural rain and moisture that it already receives,” says Hobson.

The downside? Some viscose fabrics are produced in ways that raze ancient forests and use large amounts of energy, water and environment-polluting chemicals.

To make sure you’re buying sustainably made viscose products, look for the materials Ecovero, Tecel (Lyocell), Lenzing, Modal, Monocel, Refibra, Eastman Naia, Spinnova, Infinna and Circulose. All denote an attention to sustainability. Cariloha’s bamboo bedding is made from materials harvested and manufactured from rain-fed organic bamboo crops.

“We’re also striving to close the loop even further by offering Bamboo Renew recycling stations in our U.S. domestic stores for customers to recycle their post-consumer textile waste,” Hobson says.

Plant Leather, aka Vegan Leather

Plant leathers are fabrics made from plants like regenerative cork tree bark, pineapple leaves, cactus, coconut husks, seaweed and mycelium. Many, like Pinatex, are also byproducts of the food industry, which means they’re created from materials that would otherwise be thrown away.

Plant leathers are relatively new on the scene, but quickly gaining in popularity to replace fossil-fuel-intensive PVC vinyls and address animal cruelty. Some are particularly useful as upholstery fabrics, while others are used in handbags and clothing.

Note: All vegan leathers are not plant leathers, so look for plant-based, versus plastic- or PVC-based.

Organic Cotton

Cotton is considered a sustainable fabric, with a few caveats. It’s sustainable because it’s biodegradable and renewable. But growing cotton is water intensive; it takes about 73 gallons just to make one T-shirt. Conventional cotton farming also uses chemicals harmful to people and ecosystems.

So when buying cotton products, look for recycled cotton, certified organic cotton with a GOTS or OEKO-Tex label, and companies that partner with The Better Cotton initiative like Patagonia and Pure Parima.

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