Acrylic fabric
Acrylic is the budget stand-in for wool: warm and soft at low cost. It is also the worst microplastic shedder of the common fabrics, pills quickly, traps heat, and is made from acrylonitrile, a chemical classed as a probable carcinogen at the production stage.
On your skin
Acrylic is not breathable and traps heat, which can cause friction and heat irritation on sensitive skin. It also holds odour.
Comfort and performance
It mimics wool's warmth and softness cheaply, but it pills fast, can feel scratchy, and loses shape.
Durability
The least durable common synthetic. Expect pilling and shape loss within a season of regular wear.
Environmental impact
Acrylic is the heaviest microplastic shedder tested (Napper & Thompson, 2016) and is petroleum-based and non-biodegradable. Its raw material, acrylonitrile, is an EPA probable human carcinogen, a production-stage concern rather than a wearer one.
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Download for iPhoneAcrylic FAQ
Is acrylic fabric toxic?
Wearing finished acrylic is not considered acutely toxic, but it sheds more plastic microfibre than any other common fabric and its feedstock, acrylonitrile, is a probable carcinogen handled at the factory.
Why does acrylic pill so much?
Its short, loosely twisted fibres break and tangle on the surface easily, which also makes it the worst shedder.
Is acrylic warm?
Yes, it imitates wool's warmth well, which is why it is used in cheap knitwear and fleece.
- Sources
- Napper & Thompson (2016), Marine Pollution Bulletin.
- US EPA Acrylonitrile Hazard Summary.