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Natural silk fibers vs. synthetic fibers?
What is the difference between natural silk fibers and synthetic fibers?
All textiles can be characterized as either natural or synthetic fibers (or a mixture of the two). Both types have advantages and disadvantages; natural fibers come from plants and animals, while synthetic fibers are made from chemical compounds. However, both types of fibers are used in the textile industry for different reasons.
What are natural fibers?
Natural fibers are fibers made from natural materials that come from plants, animals or minerals. The raw, natural materials are spun into threads and yarns, which are then woven or knitted into natural fabrics. There are two general categories of natural fibers; animal-based or plant-based. Animal-based natural fibers include silk and wool, while plant-based natural fibers include cotton, linen, and jute.
- Absorbent. Natural fibers have an incredibly high absorbency, as the fibers have a strong affinity for water. This makes natural fibers a good choice for bedding and towels.
- Environmentally friendly . Natural fibers usually have a smaller environmental impact than synthetic fibers because natural fibers do not use as many chemicals during the production process. However, some natural fibers are less environmentally friendly than others because some plants require more water.
- Durable. Due to the structure of cellulose, which makes up natural materials, most natural fibers are very strong.