Act Responsibly. Use Sustainable Fabrics.
There are good reasons to choose sustainable fabrics for interior design and decoration projects:
They are better for the Earth!
The interior design industry leaves behind a huge environmental footprint. From the chemicals used to create that perfect shade of blue and the pesticides used for growing that cotton, to the landfill impact of worn out fabrics and the energy that went into making them!
They are better for animals!
The life of the animal that gave up its skin, should have you thinking twice about buying them. Make sure your house is stocked with cruelty free animal products.
They are better for People!
Sustainable practices extend to people. Fibres produced under fair trading practices are produced under safe working conditions. They are sweatshop free, and the person who made it earns a fair wage. Purchasing pieces that are considered Fair Trade proves that people and places mean as much as (or more than) the company's bottom line.
Here are some green plant fibres you should consider:
Organic Cotton
Did you know that some conventional cottons use more pesticides than any other crop on earth? The result is this is harmful to you and the environment. This is a great reason to choose organic cotton. It is soft and feels and looks beautiful and has no harmful residue.
Organic Linen
Organic linen blends are hypoallergenic. It is made from flax, another traditional fibre crop, which requires few chemical fertilisers, and needs less pesticides than cotton. When used in upholstering furniture, it creates a sense of luxury. It also has health benefits because it is a fantastic fabric for people with sensitive skin or those who are prone to allergic reactions.
Nettles
Who would have thought the one plant that hurt me while playing in the yard as a child could even be considered as a suitable fabric option? Cultivating nettles for textiles is a much more sustainable alternative to cotton.
Cultivating nettles requires little maintenance and minimal watering. No pesticides are required. Nettles attract wildlife. It thrives in poor soil rendered unsuitable for other crops, and returns nutrients back into the soil it grows in.
As a natural fibre with hollow structure, wild nettle wicks moisture from the body, keeping you cool and comfortable in summer, and in winter these hollow structures trap body heat keeping you warm.
Bamboo
This plant is the fastest growing plant in the world and is the latest trend to hit the fabric market! It has many great qualities. Bamboo is hypoallergenic, absorbent, fast-drying and naturally anti-bacterial. It is soft and some equate its qualities to silk.
Wow! That is amazing!
Hemp
This is a wonderfully flexible and ecological fabric through and through! It requires very little energy to cultivate. Hemp is pest tolerant, and requires few or no agro-chemicals, whilst at the same time, binding and enriching the soil with its deep roots. Its versatility even makes it a suitable option for furniture. How sustainable is that?
Here are some green animal fibres that we recommend:
Alpaca
This has to be my absolute favourite fabric to use in interiors! Did you know Alpaca is stain resistant and does not hold debris? It has amazing breathability, is flame resistant and is odour resistant! It is comfortable and with the use of natural dyes looks absolutely stunning.
Organic Wool
This fabric is produced using sustainable farming practices without the use of toxic sheep dips. It is the major contributor to the solution to climate change.
Sheep can actually help to improve soils. They increase the soil’s ability to absorb water and maintain its original nutrient balance – and most importantly, by increasing the organic matter in the soil, they make the soil a highly effective carbon bank.
Silk
This natural fibre has a softness and a lustruous beauty second to none. Silk takes colour well. It works well in spinning, weaving and sewing. Because of its protein structure silk is the most hypoallergenic of all natural fibres. Its natural temperature regulating properties give it the ability to warm and cool simultaneously. In spite of its delicate appearance silk is robust and its smooth qualities repel odours and resist soiling.
Mohair
Mohair is made from the hair of the Angora goat. This animal fibre is lustrous and soft. Mohair goats are typically shorn twice a year, with no harm done to the animal. The finished material is very durable, takes dyes well, is very warm and has excellent insulating properties. Mohair is often blended with other fibres to add strength and warmth to a particular fabric.
Finally, we need to acknowledge, stocking up and then doing away with decor and furnishings creates a negative impact on our environment. It wastes energy and resources!!! We should find innovative ways to reuse and recycle.
So there you go ! Sustainable solutions for fabrics not only look great, but help the planet and the people enjoying the space.
