Microfiber is an element of fabric that has become controversial over the years. Some would rather have this specific type of fabric never be used, and others believe otherwise. There are many pros to using microfiber but, unfortunately, many cons. So, is using microfiber linens and cloths sustainable and a positive choice for your hospitality business? You be the judge!
Environmental Impacts of Using Microfiber
Non-biodegradable nature and Limited Recycling
Unlike natural fibers such as cotton or linen, microfiber is non-biodegradable. This means these
linens do not break down naturally at the end of their life cycle. Instead, they persist in landfills, further contributing to plastic waste and pollution. Because they are non-biodegradable, the recycling process for synthetic fibers is often challenging. Due to what they are made of, they can sit there for over or around 200 years.
Water and Energy Efficiency
Microfiber sheets are not designed to be absorbent. This, in turn, creates a harsher material that will constantly need cleaning. Because of how this material is made, it needs to be washed in hot water instead of cold water, which uses more energy than cold water. Washers use more energy to heat hot water, which causes more waste. When laundering them, microscopic fibers are released into the water supply.
Microplastic Pollution
While they may feel like cloth, microfiber linens are essentially made of plastic. The plastic used creates tiny fibers that are so small that they are barely visible, which produces a more impactful pollutant than we may know. Some enter our oceans once these fibers make it through our laundry. Because they are so small, they can be easily ingested by marine life and, unfortunately, can also be found in our food supply.
Chemical Treatments
Microfiber linens are often treated with flame retardants to meet safety standards. However, these
chemical treatments can negatively affect the environment and human health. The synthetic yarns tightly woven together can act as chemical sponges, holding specific chemical treatments together. Dyes, flame-retardants, plasticizers, and more are often found in microfibers and, unfortunately, can be seen in our bodies as they pass through our systems. This material can also release these chemicals during use and laundering, contributing to air and water pollution.
Shorter Lifespan Compared to Natural Fibers
While microfiber is known for its durability, its lifespan is generally shorter than that of
natural fibers. It can last a few years before needing to be thrown out. However, it will still last a while before fully biodegrading while in landfills. Frequent washing and wear can cause them to break down easily, leading to more frequent replacements and increasing resource consumption. Comparatively, natural fibers can last up to three decades if cared for, and they biodegrade at a landfill within two weeks!
Conclusion
While microfiber linens have gained a reputation for practicality in the hospitality industry, several drawbacks remain. Positively, it is more affordable than some other textiles, and many prefer the feel of it due to allergies or textural feel. However, overall, microfiber is not very sustainable due to all the negatives. We can work towards a more sustainable future by acknowledging the drawbacks and being more responsible and eco-friendly. So, is microfiber a sustainable material to use? No, but it could improve with the possibility of further innovation in the future.
InnStyle is Here for You
The staff at InnStyle will always be available to help customers find what best suits their needs. InnStyle’s selection includes the Hospitality Star Blanket, the 300 Hospitality Star Sheets, and the 320TC Sateen Sheet Sets. If you have any questions, please call InnStyle and speak with one of their account managers. InnStyle can be reached at 267-354-6020 or 800-877-4667. Their website is https://www.innstyle.com/.
Hello, thank you for your article. I’ve seen where microfiber causes cancer. Do you have info on this? If it is not a carcinogen, what harm if any, is it doing to our bodies when we ingest it from our water and other edibles grown with water filled with microfiber? Also, if it is so bad, why do so many manufacturers still use and sell products made with it?
Hi Kathryn,
Those are excellent questions. While the jury is still out on the exact consequences of ingesting microplastics it would be negligent to ignore the possibilities. This is a quote from the National Library of Medicine: “Microplastics can accumulate harmful pollutants from the surroundings thereby acting as transport vectors; and simultaneously can leach out chemicals (additives). Plastics in marine undergo splintering and shriveling to form micro/nanoparticles owing to the mechanical and photochemical processes accelerated by waves and sunlight, respectively. Various examples of damage caused by microplastics have been reported, such as microplastic accumulation in the bodies of marine and aquatic organisms (leading to malnutrition), inflammation, reduced fertility, and mortality. The threats that microplastics present to the human body have not yet been clearly identified. However, previous reports have shown that ultrafine microplastic absorption resulted in complex toxicity in zebrafish,2 and that microplastics under 100 nm in size can reach almost all organs after entering the human body.3 Therefore, concerns exist regarding the negative effects of continuous microplastic accumulation in the human body.”
As for your question on why manufacturers still use and sell microfiber products, that’s easy. They are less expensive therefore they sell.
I hope this answers your questions.
InnStyle