Which fabric is most sustainable for clothing?

Fabric is an important factor for sustainable clothing. But which fabric is truly environmentally friendly? Between organic cotton, linen, hemp, and recycled polyester, it's easy to get lost. In this article, we take a look at different materials and clarify which fibers are particularly sustainable—and why.

Overview of the sustainability of various materials

1. Hemp – the green all-rounder

Hemp is considered one of the most sustainable materials of all:

• No pesticides: Hemp is extremely resistant to pests and diseases
• Little water: Hemp requires up to 80% less water than cotton
• Grows quickly and binds a lot of CO₂ – great for the climate
• Robust & durable, the fabric lasts a long time
• Biodegradable: rapid decomposition in nature
• Completely recyclable

Hemp fabric is very skin-friendly, especially in summer, because it is breathable, temperature-regulating, and antibacterial.

The only downside: hemp fabrics are sometimes even more expensive or harder to find. But that's increasingly changing—thankfully!

2. Linen – timeless and environmentally friendly

Linen is obtained from the flax plant and has the following advantages:

• Little to no pesticides in cultivation
• Little water: Hemp requires up to 85% less water than cotton.
• Robust & durable, the fabric lasts a long time
• Biodegradable: rapid decomposition in nature
• Completely recyclable

Linen is a great choice for locally produced clothing (e.g., in Europe) because flax is native to Europe. Linen is also highly breathable, temperature-regulating, and antibacterial, making it very comfortable to wear on hot days.

3. Organic cotton – the classic in better

Cotton is ubiquitous in the fashion industry, but conventional cotton requires a lot of water and pesticides.

This is what distinguishes organic cotton:

• No pesticides in cultivation
  
• Less water consumption: Organic cotton requires 50–90% less water than cotton.
• Certifications such as GOTS or Fairtrade promote fair working conditions and social production standards
• Biodegradable: rapid decomposition in nature
• Completely recyclable
  

Tip: Look for certifications like GOTS or IVN Best.

4. Wool - noble and durable

Wool can be a sustainable material – provided it is produced responsibly.

• Natural & renewable: Sheep have to be sheared anyway.
• Durable & robust
• Less water/pesticides and energy required than cotton cultivation
• Biodegradable
• Completely recyclable

Animal welfare & origin
Not all wool is automatically sustainable. Mulesing, for example, is a critical issue, a painful practice for Merino sheep. Look for certificates like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), which guarantee humane treatment and transparency.

✨ Tip: Wool care - self-cleaning ✨

Wool has a self-cleaning function. Wool fibers contain lanolin – a natural wool fat. This repels dirt and odors. This means that odors such as sweat often disappear simply by washing. Easy airing; light dirt dries and can be tapped off or gently brushed off. The surface of the wool fiber is also scaly and water-repellent. This makes it difficult for dirt particles to adhere. Liquids often simply bead off – similar to a lotus leaf.

Wool is therefore a small natural wonder in the wardrobe: breathable, easy-care, hygienic, and durable – without the need for frequent washing. Simply air it regularly, treat it gently, and wear it again!

5. Lyocell - Tencel™

Lyocell is a sustainable alternative when it comes from responsible manufacturers.

• Natural and renewable: Tencel is made from cellulose, mostly from eucalyptus, beech or spruce.
• Less water consumption: up to 95% less than cotton
• Biodegradable
• Recycled cotton can be used to make lyocell

Lyocell and modal fabrics made from sustainable wood (FSC® (C041246) or PEFC) are sold under the Tencel™ brand name. Furthermore, the solvent used is environmentally friendly and used in a closed loop: the solvent used (NMMO) is over 99% recycled, resulting in minimal environmental impact.

When it comes to Lyocell, it is important to pay attention to the manufacturer.

6. Recycled materials – turning old into new

Synthetic fibers like polyester can be more sustainable when recycled, e.g., rPET—polyester made from old plastic bottles.

• Saves crude oil and waste
• Often more water and energy efficient in production

However, microplastics in washing remain an issue.

🚫 Blended fabrics & fast-fashion fabrics

Be careful with substances such as:

• Polyester, nylon, elastane (if not recycled)
• Viscose from questionable production
• Blended fabrics that are difficult to recycle

Synthetic fabrics are often considered environmentally unfriendly : most synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic are made from petroleum. Toxic chemicals and high temperatures are used. This causes greenhouse gas emissions and destroys the environment.

Synthetic materials are not biodegradable and remain in the environment. In landfills or in nature, they decompose very slowly—if at all.

When washing synthetic clothing, Tiny plastic fibers (microplastics, nanoplastics) that enter rivers and oceans via wastewater. These fibers are suspected of being extremely harmful to health.

Even though our article cannot cover all the materials in detail, we hope to have provided a good overview.