We all are well aware of polyester fabric and it’s uses. But very few of us know the pros and cons of polyester fabric. Let’s get to know them today. Polyester is a synthetic fabric which is very popular for it’s wrinkle free and stylish quality. Man made polyester fabric derived from petroleum-based chemicals. You have seen this in different fabric uses, outdoor furniture uses like cushions and covers.
Clothing uses like shirts, active wears and blouses are made from polyester fabric. In home textiles you have seen this fabric in bed sheets, curtains and cushion covers. Polyester is also used in making ropes, that are very strong and firm in grip.
Understand Polyester In Better Ways!
A Synthetic Fabric
In order to understand the pros and cons of polyester fabric, you have to understand the polyester fabric first. It is a man made fabric that is a result of lab adventures and experiments. It is a plastic that is made from petroleum.
Polymerization
Polymerization was the process that turned petroleum into polymer plastic and than polyester fibres when reacted with an acid and an alcohol. Very strong fibre threads of polyester are result of repetitive process of polymerization, thin strand of polymers are than turned into polyester.
History
So, now it is clear that polyester is a man-made fabric that is created to provide more ease in textile experiments. Those were all golden and old days of polyester way back in 1930’s, when it faced popularity and criticism at the same time. Many products were backlashed due to low quality.
Improved Quality
But now this fabric has overcame those questions and answered the world loudly with best products. You would have seen those easy to dye polyester fabrics that you can use proudly in clothing, home textile and outdoor furnitures very well.
Style
From vibrant styles to bold colors, now polyester is available in any shape and style you demand. So, where polyester has risen up to the peak of demand it raised some questions too! Some of those questions are pros and cons of polyester fabric that we are going to discuss here in detail.
Pros of Polyester Fabric
Budget Friendly
While opening the discussion of pros of polyester fabric I am Sharing my own experience with polyester fabric. Polyester is more budget friendly than many other fabrics like leather, and silk. It creates a neat and polish look in home textile products.
Durable
As you know it is made from synthetic fibre, it is more durable and long lasting than cotton, linen and other natural mix fabrics. You can use this fabric for a long time with sustainable quality and shine.
Stretching Quality
Polyester fabric is a bit elastic, that is very much helpful for maintaining shape and style while washing it. You can use this fabric for seamless look for your furniture. Also, it is better to use it as shirts and hats, for it will maintain its shape.
Versatility
Many styles and shapes with every color can be adopted in this fabric. It’s polymer fibre make this possible to adopt any color scheme and blend well with other colors. You can use it easily as upholstery, outdoor fabrics, clothing and home textile.
Wear & Tear Resistant
Polyester is an oil based fibre that can last very long. You can use this for long term. Also, it is resistant to daily wear and tear by keeping its shape and shine in place. It is a fast drying fabric and can resist water for a bit.
Wrinkle & Shrink Resistant
When you wash polyester fabric, dry it in sunlight, it is just like new. You do not need to iron it because it is wrinkle free. Do not be afraid when washing it because polyester is shrink resistor. That quality makes it more feasible to use under any conditions.
Weather Resistant
In summer and winter polyester is equally useful. It is more warm than natural cotton and linen mixed fabric. So in winters it can lock heat in itself which makes it more useful. In summer, polyester is better to use in form of shirts and home textile.
Maintenance
Washing, drying and keeping clean polyester is very easy. You can wash it in cold or hot water, in machine or by hands, and dry it under sunlight. Ironing polyester is never a problem, as it can maintain its shape due to elasticity.
Cons of Polyester Fabric
Oily Stains
From polyester, you can not clean oil stains completely. It is an oil based fibre which holds oil well and do not let it go easily. To remove oil from polyester, you can use baby powder, sprinkle a bit of baby powder as soon as you spot the oil mark on the fabric, later wash it regularly.
Static Problems
Polyester get charged very easily and mostly. It can create a static charge and can be a reason for fire risks. Other than that, in most dry areas, when you get in touch with this fabric you may witness a spark and a sense of electric shock on your body. To avoid it, I will recommend you to use body moisturizer on yourself.
Hydrophobic fabric
Polyester resists water strongly, that can be an issue while dyeing and detergining it. Washing this kind of fabric can be a bit challenging while you are facing water shortage. Washing it by hand can be difficult.
Odor issues
Polyester is known for moisture locking quality, when it locks moisture it can lock odor as well. Humid or damp places, swamp, and sweat odors can get absorbed in it easily. Some times just washing polyester can not be enough to get rid of those odors.
Lack Of Comfortability
It is a more warm fabric than natural cotton, also it has plastic fibres that can lock heat and air. This is the main reason why you feel uncomfortable with polyester fabrics. Breathability is also a problem in it.
Environmental Risks
Polyester can not be recycled easily. At the end it is a landfill that can harm our environment badly. Its synthetic oil based fibre can damage sensitive body parts and our surroundings.
Health Risks
Many people complaint about allergic reactions when they get in contact with polyesters. Main reason is chemicals that are involved in process of fibre production. Other than that its fibre can make your nose itch that will result into frequent sneezing and nose watering at the spot.
Easily Flammable
Polyester can melt very easily and can cause fire problems when get connected with heating or burning issues. Its static charge can start a fire hazard under dry conditions. This fire is not easily stoppable.
Poor Moisture Absorption
It can not absorb moist very easily, but if it does, polyester fibre lock the moisture in there and do not let it dry. This can cause Mold issues, health issues, odor issues easily. When you use it in home textile, it is hard to manage and keep it safe from spills.
Where to Use Polyester Fabric
Versatility
Polyester is a very versatile fabric. You can it in many categories like clothing, home textile and outdoor fabrics like upholstery. There are pros and cons of polyester fabric, that make it feasible for using it as outdoor fabric like quick drying, heat resistance and lightfastness.
Clothing
Because of its quality of wrinkle resistance, so many industries use polyester fabric as their working clothes. Besides, you can use this to make t-shirts, blouses, children wear, outdoor wear, active wear and dresses as well. Jackets and uppers are also popular in many cultures.
Home Textiles
Polyester is budget friendly option to adopt, so people who might change their home textile every season, they opt for polyester fabrics. Most common examples for polyester fabric are tableware, sofa slipcovers, couch covers, bed sheets, cushion covers, decorative pillows, throw rugs and blankets, rugs and carpets, napkins, table placements, towels, bath towels, curtain drapes, duvets and bath mats.
Outdoor Fabrics
Most of the outdoor fabrics are designed with polyester fabric, because of it’s elastic and versatile quality. For example, outdoor furniture covers, cushion and pillow cases, sling fabric, boat fabric, outdoor curtains, rugs and mats, tents, canopies, outdoor wears, performance wear, and grill fabrics are most common.
Should You Choose Polyester Fabric?
You should select a fabric according to your requirements and theme. For example, you are selecting a sofa cover to protect from spills, stains, and wear & tear. But you need a casual and budget friendly solution, you can select polyester fabric for the time.
But if you demand for a quality, class, premium looks, and protection with it polyester fabric is not your option. Also, you should select according to seasonal and occasional requirements. Your current occasion and cultural demands will select the right fabric for you.
Conclusion
Polyester is synthetic fabric with many pros and cons to use frequently. It is mainly used in clothing, home textile outdoor fabrics and in upholstery. Although polyester is fast drying fabric, but its heat resistance is very bad that makes it less valuable to use as versatile fabric.
Polyester is man made fabric it means there is big chance of environmental risk to use it. It cannot be recycled easily and it threatens mankind health in form of bad allergies. You can use polyester fabric according to your seasonal and health requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
As compared to cotton polyester is more durable. If you are looking for durability than yes, polyester is a good quality fabric. Otherwise, cotton is more sustainable than polyester.
Durability, versatility, styles and colors, weather resistant are some positive effects of polyester fabric. Different styles makes it more attractive to use in clothing, like hats, shirts, etc.
It is made from a non-renewable resource, that can turn polyester into landfills at the end. So it becomes harmful for our environment. Use more sustainable products like cotton that can benefit us.
Breathability, comfortability, health risks are some negative sides to use polyester fabric. But the quality of fabric can vary these side effects to very less. You can use this fabric under different seasonal conditions to lessen these effects.
Yes, you can use polyester fabric for summer season. It is easy to wash and dry in sunlight. Also, its breathability makes it more suitable to use this fabric in warm sunny days.
Yes, polyester is a good material for winter. Its breathable yet weather resistant fabric make it very comfortable to wear under cold circumstances.
Yes, polyester is warmer than cotton. Cotton is natural fibre that can not hold heat as good as polyester fibre. It is synthetic fibre that can be handled according to your requirement.
