Choosing sustainable fabric fibers for your house is one of the best ways to make your home more eco-friendly. Just look around for a moment, and you will begin to notice fabric everywhere. 

From the sheets you sleep in at night, to the sofa your kids play on, to the window treatments and more, fabric is a key element in our homes. So, let’s chat about the sustainable fabric fibers you can feel great about bringing into your house. 

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1. Linen (Flax)

Ideally used for bedding, window treatments, table linens, and pillows, this fiber has an array of uses. Typically, linen grows outside of the US, but it’s a great option for a long-term investment when sourced through proper channels and reputable stores. It looks better and feels even softer with more use! 

2. Cotton

This American classic is used across the board in towels, bedding, window treatments, table linens, and pillows. My favorite place to purchase cotton is Red Land Cotton as all of their products are grown, designed, and constructed in Alabama. 

Choose cotton that is long-staple cotton, which has longer individual fibers that result in a big difference in feel compared to products made from short-staple cotton. A longer fiber length results in a smoother surface with fewer exposed fiber ends through the spinning and weaving process. This means that items made with long-staple cotton don’t pill or tear as much and have a softer hand (the designer term for feel/touch). 

3. Wool

Wool is always my recommendation when in need of a cozy blanket. Pendleton is a favorite of mine as its products are eco-friendly, USA-made, and gorgeous. Wool is typically an environmentally friendly fiber as it’s renewable, tends to use less water or energy during the creation process, and will last longer than synthetic fibers, which don’t break down easily in landfills. 

In addition to becoming your favorite way to keep warm on a chilly evening, wool is a versatile fiber and can be used for: 

• Insulation 

• Batting in upholstery 

• Mattress filling 

  • My favorite is the new eco-organic Queen or King mattress from Avocado.  

Wool is also a favorite medium of a local artist for braided and woven rugs, knitted coasters, runners, and other tabletop items. So, make sure to support them via Etsy, your local farmers market, or craft fair. 

4. Silk

As the strongest of the natural fibers, this smooth fiber stays cleaner, drapes beautifully, and has a bit of wrinkle resistance to it. I love recommending it for bedding and especially pillowcases as it can help keep your skin smooth.  

When decorating, this all-star fiber can be gorgeous for decorative pillows (make sure to check if the instructions specify hand wash/dry clean only), headboard fabric, backing for dining chairs, more.

While this versatile fabric is impressive, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not indestructible. When it comes to window treatments, I’d consider another option, as the heat and sunlight can break down the fine fibers. Additionally, silk attracts insects and is not mildew-resistant, so it’s best to avoid using it in the bathroom and kitchen. 

5. Looking to the future: Hemp

While not currently widely available, hemp is slowly but surely gaining more of a following. Hemp has a similar feel to linen but uses less water to produce—and it is easier to find USA-made hemp products over cotton or linen. 

At MOTIV, many of our V.I.P. Day consultations include a conversation regarding the fabrics in our client's homes. We customize each V.I.P. package to meet your specific needs. Maybe you have a furniture piece that you already know and love that needs revitalizing with new energy, or perhaps you are ready to invest in new window treatments for an otherwise beautiful room. Our V.I.P. Day service allows you to select where you need the most guidance as you reimagine your space. 

Learn more about our V.I.P. Day, and let’s connect about your space.