Microfleece is a synthetic fleece material made from polyester that is soft, warm, and easy to wash. It is used in a variety of products and comes in four different thicknesses. While it is water repellent and good for active wear, it is not always durable and generates static electricity. Improper care can damage it, and it is flammable. Microfiber may not be as eco-friendly as thought due to the release of synthetic microfibers into wastewater during washing.
Microfleece, also called polar fleece or simply fleece, is a soft, nap-like synthetic fleece material often made from polyester. It was first manufactured in 1979 by Malden Mills, now called Polartec LLC, but the company did not patent the product, with the result that there are now many different manufacturers of polar fleece. Fleece is warm like wool and similar in appearance, but it is much softer, lighter, and easier to wash.
Any product that can be made from wool can also be made from microfiber. It is used in jackets, hats, sweatpants, blankets, and many other products. Microfleece comes in four different thicknesses: micro is the thinnest and most flexible, followed by 100, 200, and 300. Microfleece is also a great alternative for those who are allergic to wool or those with sensitive skin.
Microfleece is also hydrophobic, or water repellent, making it dry and warm quickly even when wet. When fully soaked, microfleece retains just one percent of its weight in water and remains breathable. Its hydrophobic properties make it good at wicking away sweat, making fleece an excellent material for active wear.
Fleece has some drawbacks too. Depending on its quality, microfleece is not always durable. You may be especially susceptible to pills and tears. Fleece also generates a lot of static electricity, making it a magnet for hair and dust. It’s also not always windproof, although there are denser forms of fleece and fleece products with windproof linings.
Also, while fleece is easy to machine wash, it can be damaged by improper care. If washed in hot water, tumble dried or ironed, the fleece can be ruined. A cool iron can be used if necessary. Polar fleece is also one of the most flammable clothing materials, especially when compared to natural fibers like wool. Many wool products are treated with a fire retardant to compensate for this.
Some believe that microfiber is greener than wool because it is often made from recycled plastic bottles and is a vegan alternative to wool. However, research shows that microfiber may not be as eco-friendly as initially thought. These studies indicate that each wash of microfiber clothing releases synthetic microfibers smaller than one millimeter into wastewater, which eventually find their way into the environment, and inevitably into human food sources. Experts are currently studying to learn the effects of synthetic microfibers on the environment, and also ways their shedding during washing could be prevented.
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