Synthetic fabrics make up the majority of what’s sold in most stores — and that’s not necessarily a problem. But they come with trade-offs worth understanding before you add something to your cart. These questions help you get past the marketing and evaluate what you’re actually buying.
Why Synthetic Fabrics Deserve a Closer Look
Synthetics — polyester, nylon, acrylic, spandex — are made from petroleum-derived polymers. They’ve become dominant in the fashion industry because they’re cheap to produce, versatile, and durable. Global fiber production is now roughly 70% synthetic, with polyester alone accounting for more than half.
That dominance comes with two main concerns for conscious shoppers:
Microplastic shedding: Synthetic fabrics shed tiny plastic fibers during wear and especially during washing. These microfibers enter waterways and have been found in drinking water, food, and human tissue. The scale of the problem is significant — an estimated 500,000 tonnes of microplastics enter the ocean annually from textile washing.
Chemical treatments: Many synthetic fabrics are treated with finishes — for water repellency, stain resistance, wrinkle resistance — that may include PFAS or other chemicals of concern.
Neither concern makes synthetics automatically problematic, but they do make it worth asking a few more questions before buying.
What Fiber Content Tells You
The care label fiber content is your starting point. Here’s what to look for:
Polyester: The most common synthetic. Sheds microfibers during washing. Not inherently PFAS-treated, but frequently used in performance fabrics that may have additional coatings.
Nylon: Similar to polyester in microplastic shedding. Often used in outerwear and activewear. May carry DWR or other treatments.
Acrylic: Often used in sweaters and fleeces as a wool substitute. Sheds significant microfibers — research has found acrylic can shed substantially more fibers per wash than polyester.
Spandex / Elastane: Used in small percentages for stretch. Not a significant independent concern, but its presence means the fabric is harder to recycle or compost.
Recycled synthetics: Recycled polyester (from bottles or garments) has the same microplastic shedding behavior as virgin polyester. The recycled sourcing addresses input-side concerns but not washing shedding.
What to Ask About Finishes and Treatments
Fiber content alone doesn’t tell you what’s been applied to the fabric surface. These questions help fill the gap:
Is there a DWR or water-resistant treatment? If the product is described as water-resistant, find out whether the treatment is fluorocarbon-based or fluorocarbon-free.
Is this fabric PFAS-treated? This direct question gets you the clearest answer. Some brands have a policy page; others can answer via customer service.
Does this carry bluesign® or OEKO-TEX® certification? Third-party certification is the most reliable signal that a restricted substances standard was applied to the fabric or finished garment.
Is this “wrinkle-free” or “easy care”? These claims can involve formaldehyde-based resins (separate from PFAS) in the fabric finish. Worth checking for certifications if this is a concern.
How to Compare Safer Options
Once you’ve answered the questions above, you can compare options more meaningfully. A few frameworks:
Same category, different fiber: If you’re shopping for leggings, compare polyester options (higher microplastic shedding) with merino wool (minimal shedding, no synthetic treatment needed) or bamboo viscose (softer, lower-shed, check for certification).
Same fiber, different certification: Two polyester tops may look identical on the label. One with bluesign® certification and explicit PFAS-free claim is meaningfully different from one without.
Consider frequency of wear: Items worn daily and washed frequently shed more total microplastics over time. Prioritize certified or natural-fiber options for those pieces first.
FAQ
Are all synthetic fabrics problematic?
No — synthetic fabrics are a trade-off, not an absolute problem. The concerns (microplastic shedding and potential chemical treatments) are real but manageable. Certified synthetic fabrics with PFAS-free claims represent a meaningful step up from uncertified ones.
Is recycled polyester better than virgin polyester?
Recycled polyester reduces reliance on new petroleum extraction and diverts plastic waste. It sheds the same amount of microplastics during washing as virgin polyester. Both concerns are separate and both are real.
What’s the best synthetic fabric overall?
For most applications, recycled nylon or polyester with bluesign® or OEKO-TEX® certification and explicit PFAS-free claim is the strongest choice if you need synthetic performance properties. For everyday wear, natural fiber alternatives may be a simpler answer.
Should I stop buying synthetics entirely?
That’s a personal decision. If you want to reduce synthetic exposure, the most impactful moves are: (1) prioritize natural fibers for everyday wear, especially base layers; (2) look for certified synthetics for performance needs; (3) use a microplastic-catching laundry bag for synthetic items you already own.
Related reading: How to Read Clothing Labels · Microplastics in Clothing
Use Wove to compare fabrics. Download Wove and get an instant fiber and chemical grade on any clothing item.
Sources
- Textile Exchange: Global Fiber and Materials Report 2024
- IUCN: Primary Microplastics in the Oceans
- Bluesign Technologies: Restricted Substances List
- OEKO-TEX®: STANDARD 100 Certification Database