Polyester, Nylon and Viscose: A Guide to Synthetic Fabrics
Learn how polyester, nylon, viscose and elastane behave, where each works best, and how to wash synthetic fabrics without damaging them.
Key takeaways
- Polyester and nylon are strong, quick drying and resist wrinkles, but they breathe less than natural fibres.
- Viscose is made from wood pulp, drapes softly and is weak when wet.
- Blends combine the strengths of different fibres, so always read the fibre percentages on the label.
Synthetic and semi-synthetic fabrics make up a large share of the clothes we buy. They are engineered for specific jobs: strength, stretch, quick drying, or a silky drape at a lower price. Understanding what each one does well makes it easier to pick the right garment and avoid damaging it in the wash.
Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic polymer, most commonly polyethylene terephthalate (PET), made from petroleum-derived chemicals. It is strong, resists stretching and shrinking, dries quickly and holds dye well, which is why it appears in everything from shirts to outdoor jackets.
Polyester absorbs very little water, so it can feel clammy in heat and may hold on to odours. It also sheds tiny plastic fibres when washed. Recycled polyester, often made from used plastic bottles, reduces the need for new raw material but does not stop the shedding.
Nylon
Nylon was the first fully synthetic fibre. It was developed by DuPont and introduced in the late 1930s, and nylon stockings reached the public in 1940. It is extremely strong, resists abrasion and has good elasticity, so it is common in hosiery, activewear, windproof jackets and bags. Like polyester it dries fast and has low breathability, and it can be damaged by high heat.
Viscose, rayon and lyocell
Viscose, also sold as rayon, is made from regenerated cellulose, usually wood pulp that is dissolved and spun into fibre. Because it starts as a plant material but is chemically processed, it is called semi-synthetic. Viscose is soft, drapes well and absorbs moisture, but it loses strength when wet, wrinkles easily and can shrink.
Lyocell, often sold under the brand name Tencel, is a related cellulose fibre made in a more closed-loop process. It is generally stronger when wet than viscose.
Elastane
Elastane, known as spandex or by the brand name Lycra, is a stretch fibre that can extend to several times its length and spring back. It is rarely used alone. A small percentage blended into cotton, wool or polyester gives jeans, leggings and shirts their stretch and shape recovery.
Synthetic fibres compared
| Fibre | Origin | Main strengths | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | Synthetic polymer | Durable, quick drying, wrinkle resistant | Low breathability, holds odour |
| Nylon | Synthetic polymer | Very strong, abrasion resistant | Sensitive to high heat |
| Viscose | Regenerated cellulose | Soft, good drape, absorbent | Weak when wet, wrinkles |
| Lyocell | Regenerated cellulose | Smooth, strong when wet | Can be costlier |
| Elastane | Synthetic polymer | Stretch and recovery | Degrades with high heat |
Washing and care
- Wash at the temperature on the label and dry on low heat or on a line.
- Avoid high dryer heat, which can melt or distort polyester, nylon and elastane.
- Handle viscose gently when wet and do not wring it. Many viscose garments need a cool, gentle wash or dry cleaning.
- To reduce microfibre shedding, wash full loads at lower temperatures and consider a washing bag or filter designed to catch fibres.
Why blends are so common
A single fibre rarely does everything well. Polyester blended with cotton gives a fabric that is softer than pure polyester and creases less than pure cotton. Wool blended with a little nylon lasts longer. The label lists each fibre by percentage, and the largest share usually dominates how the fabric feels and should be washed.
