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Natural Fibres vs Synthetic: Why What You Sleep In Matters for the Planet

by AMOKA DALO

We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed. Yet most of us give very little thought to what our sleepwear is actually made from — and what that means for our bodies and the planet. The difference between natural fibres like organic cotton and synthetic materials like polyester is far greater than you might think.

What Are Synthetic Fibres?

Synthetic fibres — polyester, nylon, acrylic, elastane — are made from petrochemicals. They are, in essence, plastic. Cheap to produce and widely used across the fashion industry, they now account for over 60% of all fibres used in clothing globally.

Blended fabrics — cotton mixed with polyester or elastane, for example — are particularly problematic. They're marketed as offering the "best of both worlds", but in reality they combine the downsides of both: they're harder to recycle, they shed microfibres, and they don't biodegrade.

 

The Problem with Synthetic Sleepwear

  • Microplastic pollution. Every time a synthetic garment is washed, it sheds thousands of tiny plastic fibres — microfibres — that pass through wastewater treatment plants and enter rivers, oceans, and the food chain. A single wash can release up to 700,000 microfibres.
  • They don't breathe. Synthetic fabrics trap heat and moisture against the skin, disrupting your body's natural temperature regulation during sleep — which can affect sleep quality.
  • They don't biodegrade. A polyester garment will persist in landfill for 200+ years. Blended fabrics are even harder to break down or recycle.
  • Chemical processing. Synthetic production involves a long chain of petrochemical processes, dyes, and finishing treatments — many of which are harmful to workers and waterways.

Why Natural Fibres Are Different

Natural fibres — cotton, linen, wool, silk — come from plants or animals. They are renewable, biodegradable, and have been used in clothing for thousands of years for good reason.

  • Breathable and temperature-regulating. Natural fibres allow air to circulate and wick moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter — ideal for sleepwear.
  • Biodegradable. At the end of their life, natural fibre garments return to the earth without leaving toxic residue — provided they haven't been blended with synthetics.
  • No microplastic shedding. Natural fibres do shed during washing, but these particles are organic and biodegradable, not plastic.
  • Gentler on skin. Particularly important for sleepwear worn directly against the skin for hours at a time.

Why Organic Cotton Specifically?

Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, using farming methods that protect soil health, conserve water, and support biodiversity.

The Case Against Blended Fabrics

Many brands add a small percentage of elastane or polyester to cotton garments for stretch or durability. We've chosen not to. Here's why:

  • Even a 5% synthetic blend makes a garment virtually impossible to recycle.
  • Blended fabrics still shed microfibres during washing.
  • The stretch and softness of high-quality organic cotton doesn't need synthetic enhancement — it improves with every wash.

Small Choices, Big Impact

Choosing natural, non-blended fibres for your sleepwear is one of the simplest sustainable swaps you can make. You spend more time in your pyjamas than almost any other garment — it makes sense to choose something that's good for you and the planet.

A woman reclining on a bed reading, wearing white cotton pyjama lounge trousers and a white tank top in a bright bedroom setting.

How Long Does It Take Textiles to Biodegrade?

Chart showing how long different textiles take to biodegrade, from natural fibres to synthetic materials.

Shop Pure Organic Cotton Sleepwear

Every AMOKA DALO set is made from 100% organic cotton — no synthetics, no blends, and delivered in plastic-free packaging.

 

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