Spandex: Dream Fabric or Fiber of Destruction
Recently we posted an article about cotton and how its production is increasingly becoming more sustainable. Cotton has been around as a cloth for thousands of years and is a natural fabric, both of which help with its sustainability. So, you may be wondering why Spandex is added to our premium cotton t-shirts if cotton is already a great material on its own. In this article I will explain this along with giving you some information on what Spandex is, how its produced as well as some positive and negative aspects of it.
Why do we use it?
I was never a big fan of Spandex in clothes for myself. I primarily wear t-shirts and jeans daily so I would look for those clothes made with 100% cotton. I always felt that if a t-shirt was made with anything other than cotton in it then the manufacturer was either, 1) being cheap or 2) looking for an easy way to make their t-shirts fit more people rather than having a better design. Now, this probably wasn’t the case, at least not all the time. But it’s definitely how I saw it. There are some real benefits to blending fabrics though and it’s very common these days as I’m sure you know. In fact, the only jeans I currently buy are now only available in a cotton/spandex blend. I think I would still prefer the 100% cotton denim but the added Spandex does add some stretch and when those squats and lunges start paying off, you can really appreciate it.
That’s why we chose to use a cotton/spandex blend in our t-shirts, the little benefits. Putting on your shirt and wearing it all day without it stretching out or losing shape. Our shirt conforms a little to the body shape as it’s worn which I think helps it look better on you. Having the Spandex will also increase the durability of the shirt, increasing its longevity and allowing you to have it and wear it longer. Of course, there are some drawbacks to Spandex as well, primarily it being a man-made fabric derived from petroleum. Petroleum products get a pretty bad rap these days even though modern society couldn’t exist without them. But this negativity has crept into the fashion and fabric world also of course. Based on how many people I see wearing clothing made fully out of petroleum-based fabrics though, I don’t know that people are really as concerned about it as they like to pretend. Anyway, here are some facts about Spandex you may find interesting.
How is it made?
Spandex is a synthetic fiber and is also known as elastane or Lycra. It was introduced to the textile industry in the early 1960s by DuPont. The manufacturing process begins with the creation of a polyurethane prepolymer through the reaction of a diisocyanate with a diol. This prepolymer is then spun into fibers through a dry spinning process, followed by stretching and stabilizing steps to achieve its renowned elasticity. I'm not exactly sure of what all that means but I really don't want to look any further into it.
The good stuff.
Its exceptional stretch and recovery properties are what make Spandex so popular. It’s ideal for form-fitting garments like active wear and swimwear and its comfort and flexibility make it a popular choice for clothing that requires freedom of movement. Additionally, Spandex garments maintain their shape well over time, resisting wrinkles and sagging. When blended with cotton, Spandex enhances the fabric's comfort, flexibility, durability and can help reduce shrinkage. Cotton-Spandex blends are versatile, offering improved fit, shape retention and easy care, making them suitable for various clothing types.
The bad stuff.
In terms of environmental impact, Spandex, like many synthetic fibers, does have some negative aspects. The production of Spandex involves several chemical processes and is resource-intensive, requiring energy and raw materials. Moreover, Spandex is not biodegradable, which means garments made solely of Spandex may persist in landfills for extended periods, contributing to waste accumulation. When washing clothes made with Spandex, microfibers can shed from the fabric. These microplastics can enter water bodies, potentially impacting marine life and ecosystems. Even with natural fabrics unfortunately, both clothing waste and microfiber shedding can be environmental issues.
Always improving.
The good thing, in regard to these bad things, is that manufacturers are aware of these issues and are working to reduce their negative impact. Manufacturers of fabrics as well as manufacturers of clothing are continually working to improve their methods. Efforts are being made within the textile industry to develop more sustainable practices and eco-friendly fabrics. Recycling initiatives, innovations in production processes and the development of biodegradable or recycled Spandex are among the steps taken to mitigate the environmental impact of Spandex and other synthetic fibers.
So do your part to help the environment. Buy a high-quality and long lasting but still extremely comfortable cotton/Spandex blend t-shirt from Tolerance Apparel. More durability means less waste and that’s always good thing. Take a look at our collection page where we have two fabrics and currently seven colors to choose from.
