Blended yarn and what each fibre contributes
Short answer: In a blend, each fibre solves a task. Viscose gives softness and drape, cotton gives strength and shape, and elastane gives stretch and recovery. That is why several materials often appear on the label, and why a blend is rarely a sign that something has been cut back.
Why fibres are blended at all
No single fibre is good at everything. A blend lets the maker take softness from one fibre and durability from another, without the fabric costing more than necessary. It is like a recipe, where each ingredient has its own job and the result is better than if only one of them were used.
Viscose from bamboo
Viscose from bamboo gives the smooth surface and the heavy drape. The fabric lies softly against the body and hangs calmly instead of standing stiff. It is the quality many think of when they say bamboo clothing feels soft. Viscose alone is not very strong, though, and needs help from other fibres.
Cotton and polyester
Cotton or polyester holds the shape and takes more wear. They give the fabric a backbone, so it does not go slack from ordinary use and washing. Cotton is a natural fibre and polyester a synthetic one, but both can add strength. Which one is chosen depends on what the garment must handle every day.
Elastane gives stretch
Elastane at a few percent makes the garment find its way back to shape. Without it a knitted fabric would give way and stay stretched where you pulled it. That is why clothes meant to follow the body almost always contain some. Take bamboo underwear for men, where the fabric must follow every movement.
What you can read from the percentages
If viscose comes first, it dominates, and the fabric will behave mostly like viscose. The more elastane, the more the fabric follows the body. The percentages show not only what is in the fabric but also how it will feel and behave. Have a look at bamboo T-shirts for men, where the composition is listed on each item.
The order on the label
Fibres are listed on the label by share, the largest first. The first fibre therefore says most about the basic character of the fabric. The last ones can be very small shares, yet they can still make a big difference to how the fabric fits and holds its shape. So read the whole line and not just the first number.
Is a blend worse than a pure fabric
No. Blends are chosen to get properties that do not exist in one fibre. A pure fabric can be lovely, but it has weaknesses too, such as going slack or wearing fast. A blend can balance those out. That is why many everyday garments are made from several fibres. See also Egtved.
Which fibre wears out first
The elastane. It breaks down from heat and sweat, long before the viscose gives up. That means a garment often loses its fit before the fabric is worn out. If it still looks fine but sits looser, it is usually the elastane that has given up. A little care in the wash can extend its life.
Caring for a blend
Since elastane is the weakest part, care matters. Wash cool, avoid the tumble dryer and use a mild detergent without bleach. Let the clothes air dry and keep them off a hot radiator. Then both the soft drape of the viscose and the stretch of the elastane last longer, and you get more from each garment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a blend worse than a pure fabric
No. Blends are chosen to get properties that do not exist in one fibre, so they combine softness, strength and stretch in a way a pure fabric rarely can.
Why is there almost always elastane in underwear
Because the fabric has to follow movement and return to shape afterwards. Without elastane a knitted fabric would give way and stay in its stretched form after each day.
Which fibre wears out first
The elastane. It breaks down from heat and sweat long before the viscose gives up, so cool washing and air drying are the simplest way to keep a garment fitting for longer.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
