Elastane, Lycra, Spandex - What's it All About?

Spandex is a synthetic fiber that is known for exceptional elasticity. It's a long chain of polymer (polyurethane) and is known for its elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. Other names for this fabric are Lycra or Elastane. It's well known for it's ability to revert back to its original shape after being stretched. It is known as a "wonder fiber" because it can stretch more than 100% and snap right back into shape. It's estimated that about 80 percent of today's garments have a bit of spandex in them. For clothing, spandex is usually mixed with cotton/rayon/polyester or nylon.

A word of caution: Spandex can be easily damaged by heat so requires different care. Recommendations include hand washing or use of the gentle/hand wash cycle in your machine. Use mild detergent. No bleach or chlorine. No fabric softener. Don't rub the fabric together. Don't wring. No ironing. No dry cleaning.

What is Viscose?

Viscose is a type of rayon. It is a fiber made of regenerated cellulose...from green plants. It's structurally similar to cotton but is be produced from a variety of plants such as soy, bamboo, and sugar cane. 

It's been called a contradictory beast because as a manufactured fiber, it's neither truly natural like cotton, wool or silk nor truly synthetic like nylon or polyester. It's somewhere "in between".

Viscose became popular for a few reasons. The first is that it has a luxurious look and feel at an affordable price. It blends easily with other fibers. It is easy to dye and retains vivid colors very well. It's got a silk-like luster, nice drape and is softer than cotton.

It's often blended with other fabrics - like polyester.

Let's Talk About Polyester!

Polyester has a bad reputation, but really shouldn't!  Current polyester fabrics have a very nice feel. It's used a lot because it's extremely strong, durable, resilient, and resistant to creasing -keeping its shape really well. It's resistant to chemical damage. It's wrinkle, mildew and abrasion resistant, doesn't stretch or shrink and is easy to wear and care for.

Polyester is very often blended with other fibers. Garments that are 100% polyester are usually soft and smooth, almost satiny and have a little "give" to them. 

Polyester is machine washable and can be dried on the low-heat setting in your dryer. We recommend using a touch of fabric softener when washing and then drying for just a few minutes to tumble out any wrinkles - and hanging to dry. It's a quick drying fabric.

Polyester doesn't always require ironing, but you can iron on a warm (NOT HOT) setting if needed.