Key Takeaways
Never heard ofmodal cloth ? It ’s the semi - celluloid fabric also known as high wet modulus rayon . It ’s made from Natalie Wood or , more specifically , the Grant Wood of beech trees .
It was first created in Japan in 1951 but today most modal material is produced by the Austrian company Lenzing . It has a reputation for being a sustainable alternative to other semi - semisynthetic fabrics and constituent textile , but is it really ?
What Is Modal Fabric?
Modal textile was primitively developed to imitate the feel of cotton wool . Modal is a type of rayon that is regard an ascent to viscose rayon . It is known for its silky grain and durability .
Modal is consider a semi - naturalandsemi - synthetic fabric , because although it is a plant life - base material ( it can be made from bamboo or beech trees ) , it still requires chemicals to convert the wood pulp to modal fibers and recital .
Because of its moisture - management properties , average cloth is mainly used for athletic wear , undergarments and sometimes seam sheet .
How Is Modal Fabric Manufactured?
The manufacturing process for average fabric is more eco - favorable when compared to the production process for other rayon fabrics , but it is exchangeable .
Here ’s a breakdown of the production summons :
Is Modal Fabric Sustainable?
Even though modal framework is sourced using plants , the production cognitive operation still employ dyestuff and chemical substance . For instance , photograph to carbon disulfide is know to be risky , especiallyin the work . Studies also have shown adverse wellness effects to animals that have long - term breathing in exposure .
In 1977,Lenzing began usingan eco - well-disposed bleaching method for its cellulosic fibers . The process is less toxic , reprocess the chemical and sources beech trees from wood that are FSC or PEFC recognize . Lenzing trademarked its modal cloth as TENCEL Modal ® .
Modal can also be given the green igniter as a more eco - friendly alternative to other fabrics , however , especially if it is made from sustainably sourced wood . This means the textile manufacturers must apply tree set explicitly for modal fabric , and it ’s even good if they ’re onland not suited for any other agricultural increase . But because average framework has become so popular , not all companiesuse trees set specifically for this purpose .
But when compared to cotton plant , the modal material manufacturing process utilize between10 and 20 times less waterbecause beech trees need less water than cotton .
Modal Fabric Pros and Cons
As we mentioned , modal is a type of rayon that has a super - flabby , sleek grain . Modal fibers also are super flexile and lightweight , so the fabric is idealistic for clothes that fit near to the cutis .
Modal resists wrinkles and shrinkage , and can regulate wet and denigrate scent . Modal is long - lasting and the fabric resist pilling , wither and creasing .
Modal is n’t perfect , though . As we mention , the production process does use toxic chemical , and there ’s no guaranty the trees harvested are from sustainable forests .
One con is that modal fabrics can be more expensive than their comparable counterpart , namely cotton . Modal fabric does have a reputation for stay softer longer than cotton and wicking away wet more effectively , but it is not considered as breathable .
How to Care for Modal Fabrics
Although modal fabric is a soft material , it can be washed and dried in the automobile , but always pay attention to the maker ’s tutelage road map on the label . Some expert say it can be cleansed at any temperature , but insensate urine on the gentle cycle is the optimum choice .
apply a mild detergent and an oxygen - base blanching agent , as chlorine blanching agent can be too abrasive . More delicate wear can be laundered in a mesh bag for add shelter .
Dry using low or medium heating and remove items from the dryer with just a short dampness to help eliminate wrinkles .
