It's primarily found in chain store sweaters, scarves, and hats. This is because it imitates wool quite well visually. However, its functionality is significantly less appealing. Acrylic – is it a good material for everyday wear? Below, we describe its pros and cons, though we warn you upfront: there are significantly fewer of the latter available to consumers. So why is acrylic so popular? You'll find out by reading our article!
Acrylic – a material for clothes?
Acrylic is a shortened form of polyacrylonitrile, a synthetic fiber created through a chemical reaction called acrylonitrile polymerization. Acrylonitrile itself is a chemical compound belonging to the same group as acrylic glass (commonly known as Plexiglas), acrylic paints, acrylic adhesives and varnishes, and also fiber optics. These few sentences perfectly illustrate how artificial acrylic is as a clothing material . Developed in the early 1940s, it quickly became very popular among clothing manufacturers due to its low production costs. Today, acrylic is primarily found in sweaters, scarves, and hats. Below, you'll learn about the characteristics of clothing made from this material. It's also worth knowing what influences clothing prices .
The biggest disadvantages of acrylic
Like any artificial material, acrylic is virtually impermeable to air. This means you can sweat in it in the blink of an eye without feeling warm. Unfortunately, unlike wool, acrylic doesn't keep you warm and lacks its valuable moisture-wicking properties. So why do so many clothing manufacturers insist on making sweaters and other winter garments from it? The answer is simple: it saves money. The cost of producing acrylic clothing is significantly lower than that of high-quality wool. Acrylic's synthetic origins aren't its only drawback, however. If you've ever owned an acrylic sweater, you're probably familiar with how quickly it pills. While a wool turtleneck or cardigan will last for years, an acrylic one will pill up forever. And it won't keep you warm on cold days. For us, these are reasons enough to avoid buying anything made from 100% acrylic.
Acrylic material – does it have any advantages?
Acrylic's advantages primarily apply to clothing manufacturers, due to the aforementioned low production cost. An acrylic sweater hung on a hanger will look beautiful and at first glance may resemble soft wool. However, a more trained eye will quickly notice that it's a chemically produced synthetic material. But what about a blend of acrylic and wool or another natural fiber? A blend of no more than 10% shouldn't significantly impact the quality of a given garment, but it will contribute to reducing its cost. However, acrylic shouldn't be considered a good substitute for wool, as it lacks even a fraction of its properties. For example, the lack of breathability leads to faster bacterial growth and, consequently, increased sweat odor.
How to wash acrylic?
If you have acrylic clothing in your wardrobe, we'll tell you how to wash it. One advantage of acrylic is that it can easily be thrown into the washing machine. While wool is best washed by hand in cool water, an acrylic sweater will handle a slightly less gentle treatment. Of course, don't overdo it – it's best not to spin it on high speed either. Remember to dry it properly, and lay the damp sweater flat. If in doubt, check the manufacturer's instructions on the inside label of your acrylic garment.
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