Whether you have reached this article because you are trying to find a fabric for your clothing line or are just ready to do some arts and crafts, deciding which type of fabric to use for an item is an important decision. Different types of fabric require different cleaning techniques. For the best laundry results, it’s important to know what to expect with each type of fabric.

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Acetate. Acetate is a manufactured fiber refined from cotton or wood pulp.

Bamboo. Bamboo fabric is light and strong and has incredible wicking properties. Bamboo fabric is known to reduce odors.

Canvas. Canvas is typically made out of heavy cotton yarn and is known for being durable, heavy-duty, and sturdy. Canvas is known to be waterproof or water-resistant. Typically outdoor clothing brands will use canvas for their products.

Cashmere. Cashmere is a type of wool made from pashmina and cashmere goats. Even though Cashmere feels like silk, it’s not. Cashmere is warmer and lighter than sheep’s wool and is fine and delicate.

Chenille. Chenille is a soft fuzzy fabric made from cotton or a blended fiber.

Chiffon. Chiffon is a lightweight, sheer fabric made of polyester, silk, rayon, or other fibers.

Coolmax. Coolmax is a polyester fiber designed to wick away moisture from the body and onto the surface of the garment.

Corduroy. Corduroy is typically made from cotton and is available as a polyester/cotton blend.

Cotton. Cotton is a natural fiber that grows in the cotton plant. Cotton is spun into yarn that can be woven to create durable, soft fabric used for every day garments.

Crêpe. Crêpe is a silk, synthetic, or wool fabric that is wrinkled and bumpy. Crêpe is often used to make dresses, suits, blouses, and pants.

Damask. Damask is a reversible fabric since it is woven into the fabric, instead of printed on it. Damask is often used to make textiles, including cotton, wool, rayon, and linen.

Georgette. Georgette is a type of Crêpe fabric.

Jersey. Jersey is a generic term for plain knit fabric without a rib. Jersey fabric was manufactured on the island of Jersey.

Lace. Lace is a fabric made by twisting, looping, or knitting thread patterns by machine or hand.

Latex. Latex is made with rubber and has rubber type qualities.

Leather. Leather is a fabric made from skins or animal hides. Cowhide is the most popular skin used for leather and makes up about 65 percent of all leather goods.

Linen. Linen is a fabric made from fibers obtained from the stem of a flax plant. Linen is stronger than cotton and is very cool.

Lycra. Lycra is Dupon’s trademarked spandex fiber. It is soft and strong and used in swimwear, bras, and compression clothes.

Merino Wool. Merino wool comes from sheep that produce a wool fiber. It is luxurious, soft and thin.

Mesh. Mesh is a woven or knitted fabric that produces a sheer kind of effect.

Modal. Modal is made with cellulose and is a variety of rayon.

Muslin. Muslin is a loosely-woven fabric made of cotton. Muslin is well-known for testing patterns.

Neoprene. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber used for high fashion, outwear, and swimwear.

Nylon. Nylon is a synthetic fiber known for resilience and flexibility.

Polyester. Polyester has resiliency, resistance, and a lot of strength.

Rayon. Rayon is a silk-like fabric that is weak, but comfortable.

Silk. Silk is a natural filament collected from caterpillars.

Spandex. Spandex is lightweight, elastic, durable, and non-absorbent to oils and water.

Suede. Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of an animal skin.

Velvet. Velvet is a woven fabric that is made from rayon, acetate, silk, or nylon.

Viscose. Viscose is the European term for rayon.

Wool. Wool is a natural fiber that is made from goats, llamas, alpacas, or sheep.


Types of Fabric

From experience, shrinking your clothes in the washer is one of the most frustrating things you can do. While it’s generally the fault of the person washing the clothes, here are the fabrics you should avoid washing with hot water due to shrinking.

What Fabrics Shrink?

Whether you have mildew on a shower, couch, or clothes, mildew remover for fabrics will take away the foul odor and ugly stains. Read on for more of the best ways to remove mildew from fabrics.

Remove mildew from fabrics with vinegar and baking soda. Before applying bleach to your clothes, we recommend brushing any loose mildew from the fabric outside your house. Create a solution made up of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water. Soak your clothes in the soak solution for 15 to 30 minutes. Put your clothes in a washer and add one cup of baking soda to the detergent on the longest cycle on the machine. Once dry, repeat as needed until the mildew has been completely removed.

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Types of Fabric and Their Uses

Types of Fabric

What Fabrics Shrink?

How To Remove Mildew From Fabrics?