Artificial materials are now in great demand because of their advantages. In addition, they are more affordable than natural ones. Artificial wool is a practical material used in the textile industry. Read about its pros and cons in the article.
Story
Many millennia have passed since the first wool production. This event is associated with the taming of animals, which, in addition to milk and meat, produced valuable fibers. In the Middle Ages, this matter became popular in many European countries, and in England its production began to be controlled by the government.
With the advent of synthetics, this material began to recede into the background. This is due to the addition of synthetic fibers to the tissues. So the products became durable, wear-resistant, and also stopped sitting down during washing. This canvas is in demand now. There are many varieties of faux wool that differ in properties, appearance and price.
Description
This is an artificial material that is similar to natural wool. Initially, it was created from flaps of half-woolen and woolen products. They were crushed, then they were processed and new products were created. This helped to save on goods.
Now artificial wool fabric is made from viscose - a cellulose-based material that is turned into fibers by forcing through filters. Created fibers undergo drying, press, bleaching and dyeing.
Then the material is crushed and converted into yarn, from which artificial wool is created. She also has the name "acrylic" or "vistra." It is similar to real wool, but acrylic is softer.
Composition and types
Clothing is created not only from natural sheep wool. Artificial fabric completely replaces it. Acrylic threads are durable and continuous. This creates a uniform weave, which allows you to simulate the knitting of woolen motifs. This property is used to create warm things, because even to the touch the canvas is difficult to distinguish from natural material.
Warm and practical products are obtained not only from camel hair. Artificial material can also serve for these purposes. The use of mixed fabrics expands the possibilities of acrylic. Often it is combined with polyester, natural wool, cotton, viscose. The more natural ingredients there are, the better the item is suitable for daily wear.
For technical purposes, "coarse" fabrics with acrylic fibers are used. They create wonderful awnings from bad weather, overalls and covers for the protection of equipment, vehicles, structures.
All species have different densities, hairiness, and weight, which is why fabrics are made from them with different characteristics and purposes. The price depends on the impurity of other fibers, especially synthetic ones, which reduces shrinkage and creasing, increases the service life, and simplifies maintenance.
Benefits
Artificial wool has the following positive properties:
- The ability to take different forms. Due to this property, it will be possible to replace wool or half-wool and create threads of different thicknesses from it.
- Acrylic-based items are durable and long lasting due to wear resistance. They tolerate washing well, keeping their shape. These products do not burn out. The advantage is that they almost do not wrinkle, so ironing is not required. The material has a high resistance to atmospheric phenomena, for example, prolonged overheating of 120-130 degrees.
- Natural wool has some coarseness, as well as a “taunt”. And acrylic is pleasant to the touch.
- Artificial wool is resistant to deformation, but it is an elastic material.
- Vistra does not have a lot of weight, so it does not cause discomfort while wearing.
- Acrylic has a water-repellent function, so the risk of getting wet in such a product is small.
- Vistra is prone to staining, which helps to achieve greater contrast and maintain color for a long time.
- The material is hypoallergenic and therefore suitable for people with hypersensitivity. Acrylic is great for creating children's clothing. Often children are allergic to wool, so their sensitivity should be treated carefully.
- Vistra perfectly retains heat and is great for making winter clothes.
According to reviews, many people like artificial wool because of its advantages. Clothing from it turns out beautiful, comfortable and durable. Moreover, it can be worn by both children and adults.
Acrylic is used in the creation of clothes and various accessories. Also from it create things necessary in everyday conditions - pillows, blankets and other products.
disadvantages
Acrylic does not have many negative properties, but still you need to know them:
- The increased electrification of fibers. Such clothes can “shock”, which causes some discomfort.
- Poor moisture absorption. If the property of water repulsion is considered an advantage, then in a very stuffy room a person feels discomfort. To prevent these problems, artificial wool is often mixed with natural and cotton, but this option is not suitable for allergies.
- The appearance of "pellets". This disadvantage affects the appearance of the product, but it is weakly expressed.
Differences
How to distinguish artificial from natural wool? To understand the difference, you should familiarize yourself with the following recommendations:
- The type of tissue is determined by experience. The fingers are moistened in water, the threads are twisted in the form of a wick and moved. The nature of combustion should be established. Real wool burns slower than cotton, it crackles and sinter into a dark porous ball, which, when touched, crumbles and does not smolder. In this case, the smell of singed hair is emitted. If soot is formed during combustion, this is an admixture of lavsan or nitron. If you smell the beans, this is an admixture of nylon.
- When natural wool gets wet, a specific smell of the real material arises.
Proper care
In order for things from acrylic to retain their neat appearance for a long time, you need to properly care for them:
- Before washing, the product is turned inside out to maintain the shape of the product and protect it from spools. Water should be 30 degrees, otherwise the thing shrinks.
- For washing, special liquid products or shampoo are needed. Baby is effective for delicate things.
- Stains are removed before washing. Many are eliminated with alcohol. Greasy dirt is removed with a dishwashing detergent, and regular dirt is removed with a clothes brush.
- Do not soak woolen things. The duration of washing should not be more than 45 minutes from the moment of immersion in water.
- You can wash wool textiles 2 times a year. Stains are removed separately, the smells of this clothing are quickly removed. You just need to hang it on the balcony.
- For drying, the clothes are rolled up in a tube, placed on a light towel and unwrapped. You should immediately give the right shape.
- Shrunken things are slightly moistened with water and ironed from the inside through gauze. The fabric is stretched to give the desired shape.
- Pellets should not be removed manually, for this special machines or scallops are used.
- Woolen things are stored on a shelf when folded. On the shoulders they are stretched.
Handwash
Items made of artificial wool are allowed to be washed manually:
- Water is poured into a basin up to 30 degrees.
- A detergent is dissolved in it, it is better to choose a liquid one.
- Things are lowered into a basin and wait a few seconds before soaking in water. Do not rub, you just need to carefully move the product.
- When the water changes color, it is poured. If necessary, this is repeated.
- The pelvis is filled with warm water and the item is rinsed. Detergent must be removed, so usually the procedure is performed 2 times.
- The water is drained and the clothes are lifted in a lump. It is necessary to squeeze out part of the water and wrap it in a thick towel. It absorbs a lot of liquid.
Thus, artificial wool is a practical and effective fabric. With proper and timely care, it can last for many years.