Is fleece harmful to humans?
Just by wearing and washing fleece, thousands and millions of these plastic fibers are shed and end up in the environment, including the air around us. More than one-third of the microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic clothing.
Fortunately BPA in fleece products doesn't pose a problem, however there are plenty of unregulated toxic chemicals remaining in products found on the shelves of our stores.
Usually, though, the cosy fabric we call 'fleece' is actually made from polyester. Plastic might not be your first thought when you're cuddling up in a warm fleece, but that's exactly what polyester is. It's the same material that's used to make plastic bottles, and it's used in a lot of clothes.
Cotton doesn't make a great insulator. It is too breathable and doesn't do a good job of trapping body heat. The clear winner for insulation is fleece.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Flexible, lightweight and comfortable | Not windproof |
| Durable | Can't withstand washing at very high temperatures, tumble drying or ironing |
| Highly breathable | Prone to attracting dust, lint, pet hair etc. due to high amounts of static electricity |
| Moisture-resistant |
Polyester fabric releases chemicals like phthalates into the air and through contact with the skin. These chemicals have been shown to cause hormone disruption and health issues. Aside from the harmful chemicals that polyester releases, this fabric also poses some more direct health concerns.
Does the environment factor into your decision? Fleece, a synthetic material, poses an increasing problem for our oceans. Every time fleece is washed, it sheds thousands of fibers which wash away as waste water. This contaminated water washes into the ocean and poisons food sources for ocean wildlife.
Not to mention, it's no fun when the fuzz of the fleece catches on dry skin. A solid chunk of skin care experts would agree that clothing made of thin fleece fabrics is worth trying for your child. Fleece makes for a nice lightweight top layer as we approach spring. Wool - This may be the worst material of the bunch.
Is fleece sustainable? Let's look at the environmental impact of fleece! Generally speaking, it's made from non-renewable resources and needs an extra chemical coating to make it windproof and/or water resistant – not great for the environment.
You can determine what type of fiber they've incorporated by looking at the clothing label. For example, if you see “cotton fleece,” it's usually just a cotton-fleece blend, and it's vegan. The problem is that occasionally you can find “wool fleece”, which is a blend between wool and fleece, and that's no longer vegan.
Does fleece make you sweat?
Fleece won't make you sweat. As it's a breathable material, it makes an excellent fabric that will keep you warm while being active. Each side of this breathable fabric is made of cut fibers. This allows the material to hold in more warmth.
In general, wool provides better insulation from the wind, unless you wear a fleece with integrated wind-resistant insulation.
Cotton fleece and polyester fleece differ in warmth, breathability, durability, and comfort. Generally, polyester and poly-blend fleeces will be warmer more durable, and better at wicking moisture but cotton fleece is more breathable while cotton itself is generally considered comfortable.
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Sherpa vs Fleece: Key Points.
| Sherpa Fabric | Fleece | |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture Wicking | Very good | Very good-excellent, depending on the kind of fleece |
Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees. Shorts: 80 degrees and above.
Fleece bedding and sheepskins are not recommended as they can cause baby to overheat. Sleeping bags designed for infant sleep may also be used, which then negates the need for any blanket tucked in.
Polyester may remind you of bad suits from the 70's but it's actually still very prevalent in many clothes sold today. It is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid. Yikes. This fabric is full of polycrylonitriles that may cause cancer, according to the EPA.
It is very much clear now that polyester carries carcinogens and it must not be in your bed. Prolonged use of polyester results in serious problems in the form of skin, lung, and heart cancer.
Polyester is advertised as being wrinkle-free, but due to the harsh chemicals that go into making these clothes, polyester is not only hard but can be disastrous on sensitive skin. The chemicals can be rough on skin and lead to rashes.
For example, if you sleep cold or live in an area with cold weather, materials like fleece, wool, or flannel can help you stay warm and toasty even on cold nights.
Which is better fleece or flannel?
Fleece holds heat better and thus provides more warmth. Flannel has a breathable cotton weave that can keep you warm and prevent you from overheating at the same time. Fleece has greater strength and durability and will hold up in the wash for a long time. Flannel gets softer and wears out over time.
They've been linked to respiratory illnesses, including asthma, and cancer. According to the Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health study, VOCs emitted from dryer vents after using popular brands of laundry detergent and scented dryer sheets included chemicals like acetaldehyde and benzene, which are considered carcinogenic.
Avoid triggers: Fabrics.
For some people with eczema, fabrics like polyester, polar fleece or wool are triggers.
- 1) Polyester. A variety of products can be made from forms of polyester: t-shirts, blankets, rope, conveyor belts, and bottles. ...
- 2) Acrylic. ...
- 3) Cotton (Conventional) ...
- 4) Rayon (aka Viscose) ...
- 5) Nylon. ...
- 1) Organic or Recycled Cotton. ...
- 2) Organic Hemp. ...
- 3) Organic Linen.
Sherpa and fleece are generally okay for people with eczema, though it depends on the specific fabric and quality. The shacket (a combination of shirt and jacket) is another hot trend this winter.
NON-BIODEGRADABLE FABRICS
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, spandex, nylon, … Though they will eventually break down, this process might take between 20 to 200 years.
Fleece is commonly made of polyester, and polyester is a synthetic fabric, which means fleece release microplastics.
Clearly, fleece and wool both have their pluses and their minuses. As with so many issues in the environmental movement, there's no single, conclusive answer to this one. Much depends on the intended use of the garment and your own personal values.
To make fleece water- and wind-proof, it's coated with fluorochemicals, specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Both are also per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and “forever chemicals”, which never truly break down in the environment.
Fleece fabric is usually made from a type of polyester called polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or other synthetic fibres, woven and brushed into a light weight fabric. Other materials can be used and added when making the fabric, including natural fibres, like wool, or recycled fibres, like recycled PET plastic.
Is microfleece toxic?
A frequent topic of discussion in many cloth diapering groups is “Why can't microfiber touch baby's skin?” This leads to some confusion, because microfleece, another common diapering fiber, is totally safe against baby's bottom.
Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees. Shorts: 80 degrees and above.
