Cotton is the most used natural fiber in the world. It is comfortable, breathable, durable and biodegradable and has been made into fabrics for clothing for thousands of years. Organic cotton is the result of organic farming and is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals and pesticides, helping to protect the farmers and the animal eco-systems around the crops. In addition, this change in farming helps to protect the garment workers handling the fibers from potentially breathing in harmful chemicals.

Cotton care; colors may bleed within the first few washes and slight shrinking can occur in high heat. Mixing light and dark fabrics in the wash is generally not a good idea. Wash in cold water then lay flat to dry or in the dryer on low heat.

The oldest known fabric used in ancient civilizations, linen is the original sustainable material. Linen is made from the fast growing flax plant which can be grown in poor soil, reducing the need for pesticides and fertilizers, and typically relies on natural rainfall. The natural colors of flax, such as ivory, ecru and grey, are often used instead of dying fibers. Extracting the fibers and spinning them into yarn takes longer than other materials and the use of manual processes in its production account for the higher cost of linen compared to cotton. Linen is biodegradable, strong, durable, breathable, and absorbent. The more linen is washed, the softer it becomes. Machine or hand wash in cold water. Dry on low heat and remove while still damp to reduce wrinkling. Iron on high setting with steam.

A sought after fabric associated with luxury, silk is a natural fiber protein produced by silkworms. Long filament fibers are separated and collected from silkworm cocoons before being spun into threads. These threads are then woven into fabrics that are biodegradable. The mulberry trees used to feed silkworms typically rely on natural rainfall and usually do not need harmful pesticides or fertilizers to grow. *Much of the silk production process kills silkworm larvae during the collection phase. For a vegan option, look for Organic Silk in which the larvae are allowed to live out their full lives and die naturally, or Wild Silk in which the cocoons are harvested in the open forests after the moth has left. Silk is very delicate. Always read care instructions on silk garments. Washable silk is becoming more popular and eliminates the need for chemical dry cleaning.

Wool is natural fiber that comes from animals such as, but not limited to, sheep and goats. These domesticated animals are shorn once a year in the spring when they would naturally shed their winter coats. The fibers are then collected , cleaned and spun into yarn which is then woven into fabric. There are various types of wool, each with their own characteristics, benefits, and common uses. Cashmere is the most recognizable type and is discussed briefly below. Wool is a renewable resource and biodegradable that once disposed of, releases valuable nutrients and carbon back into the ground. It is also the most recycled textile in part due to its durability. Harvesting wool fibers consumes less energy and water than cotton and synthetic fibers. Always read care instructions. Dry cleaning is the safest method of cleaning wool. If your wool gets wet or handwashing is permitted, always lay flat to dry. Using a wool or cashmere spray will reduce the number of washes needed. Wool or cashmere combs are great tools for removing pills.

This deliciously soft luxury wool is made from very fine and delicate fibers collected from the undercoat of a Kashmir or pashmina goat. The undercoat fibers are harvested in the spring after these goats have shed their winter coat. Most cashmere wool is collected by hand combing as this yields a higher quality product. Once these fibers are collected, they are spun into yarn which is woven into fabric. *Cashmere’s ethicality is often, and rightfully, called into question due to the treatment of goats and the damage to land that goats can cause if over-grazed. The Noble Edit is committed to working with labels whose suppliers adhere to strict standards of animal welfare and encourage sustainable herding practices. Treat your cashmere with care. Always read care instructions. Dry cleaning is probably the safest method of cleaning cashmere. However, it can be avoided by carefully handwashing inside-out in cold water, squeezing excess water (do not wring) and laying flat to dry. Hanging your cashmere when wet can cause the fibers to stretch. Using a wool or cashmere spray will reduce the number of washes needed. Because the fibers are so delicate, cashmere is prone to pilling. Wool or cashmere combs are great tools for removing pills.

A bio-based, semi-synthetic fabric, modal is made from beech tree pulp and is completely biodegradable. Because it is made from regenerative trees that rely on natural rainfall, the production of modal uses 10-20 times less water than cotton. It is considered a semi-synthetic because chemicals such as sodium hydroxide are used to soak the cellulose sheets before being spun into fibers. Modal is very durable with a luxuriously soft feel, drapes well and does not pill. Modal does not shrink when exposed to high heat. Wash in cold water and dry on low to medium heat

Parallel to modal, lyocell is a biodegradable, plant-based, semi-synthetic made from eucalyptus trees. Eucalyptus trees are fast growing, do not require pesticides or irrigation and can grow in poor soil. Lyocell’s production process is slightly different from modal, using amine oxide, considered less toxic than sodium hydroxide, as its solvent before heading to the spinneret. Lyocell looks and feels very similar to modal in its softness, durability and drapeability. Lyocell tends to be delicate. Hand wash or machine wash on the gentle cycle in cold water. Dry on low or hang/lay flat to dry. If ironing is necessary, steaming is the best method.

Modal and Lyocell are both Tencel. Tencel is simply a brand of lyocell and modal made by Austrian company Lenzing AG. The majority of modal and lyocell made are Tencel. Lenzing is renowned for its environmentally responsible manufacturing processes and is PESC and FSC certified for sustainably managed forestry.

The sustainability of recycled polyester, or rPET, is debatable. Products made from rPET certainly have a smaller environmental impact than virgin polyester. Reclaiming plastic waste keeps it from packing landfills or ending up in the oceans, at least for the time it spends in your closet or the consignment shop. Something to consider when looking at rPET is microplastics. Washing recycled polyester releases microplastics than can end up in our oceans. Products that are more durable than clothing and do not need washing, like bags and shoes, are a better choice for using recycled polyester. These products last longer and can be resold.