If you are new to purchasing yarn, you may wonder whether to buy man-made or natural undyed yarn. At Meridian Mill House, we are advocates for the beauty and versatility of natural fiber yarn. Not only are natural fiber materials attractive and highly workable, but they are better for the environment and human health. Read on to learn more about the benefits of using yarns made of natural fibers for your projects.
Where Do Natural Fibers Come From?
Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, and hemp are sourced from animals and plants. As we will share below, using these resources to create our natural fiber yarn provides many benefits to both your customers and the environment. Thanks to the Responsible Wool Standard, you can trust that the natural yarn you purchase from the Meridian Mill House Yarn Shop is responsibly sourced.
On the other hand, man-made or synthetic yarn is made from petrochemicals that do not break down like natural yarns. As our culture is growing more and more aware of the dangers of fast fashion, many consumers often consider where their products come from and if they have a negative impact on the environment.
Advantages of Natural Fibers
Selecting natural fiber yarns for your next project provides significant advantages. Working with natural fibers is environmentally conscious, sustainable, and results in a durable and breathable end product. Join us below as we dive deeper into the benefits of natural fiber yarns.
Environmentally Friendly
Natural fibers are a carbon-neutral, biodegradable, renewable resource. Let’s dive into what that actually means:
Carbon Neutral. When we say that natural fiber yarn is carbon neutral, we mean that plant fibers tend to absorb at least an equal amount of CO2 as they emit. Even the organic waste produced during the processing of natural fibers can be used as fuel and generate electricity. In this way, plant fibers do not contribute to global warming.
Biodegradable. The natural fibers used by Meridian Mill House decompose naturally and much faster than their synthetic counterparts. This decreases pollution that goes to landfills and our waterways.
Renewable Resource. Natural Fiber material is a renewable resource because its source can be replenished over time. Plants that produce fibers can be grown and harvested multiple times and most animals grow a new coat of fiber each year. This cuts down on waste and decreases the chemicals emitted into the environment.
Are synthetic fibers environmentally friendly? No, the yarn derived from synthetic fibers is not environmentally friendly. Their processing requires a high level of energy and emits large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. Because they are essentially a form of plastic, they take hundreds of years to fully decompose and contribute to polluting the environment.
Durable, Odor Resistant, Stain Resistant
Products manufactured from natural fiber material are durable. The natural fibers’ properties are inherently odor resistant and stain resistant. This makes your end product more durable by reducing the need for frequent washing. In contrast, using synthetic fiber yarn will create a cheaper product that doesn’t hold up over time and falls apart from natural wear and tear.
Better For Human Health
Wool yarns are natural insulators, breathable, flame resistant, and void of any harsh chemicals. This ensures your end product will be comfortable and safe for your customers. Products derived from synthetic fibers are less comfortable and contain chemical additives that negatively affect the environment and humans alike.
Choosing a Natural Fiber Yarn
Created especially for small businesses, the Meridian Mill House Yarn Shop specializes in high-quality, readily available yarns in quantities and prices that make it easier for you to do business. We offer a beautiful selection of undyed natural yarn, weaving yarn, fiber, and also dyed yarn.
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