Woven Versus Non-Woven Bag Materials- A Detailed Comparison April 6, 2021 06:16

We are living in a world where environmental pollution is one of the biggest concerns. As plastics are the major pollutants to the environment, several organizations have started replacing plastic bags with some eco-friendly option. The custom recycled bags save the environment from wastes and pollution.

However, while searching for recyclable and eco-friendly bags, you can find two options- non-woven and woven fabrics. Both of them are safe for the surrounding environment. Still, which one should you choose for your purpose? Although both non-woven and woven bags have become popular, most of us do not know the difference between two fabrics. A brief discussion will help you to make the right decisions.

What are fabrics?

Fabric refers to some man-made materials, which have a number of uses in the modern age. Manufacturers try to source perfect fabrics to design their products. The way of creating the fabric can make a difference in the overall result. Moreover, it helps us to decide on where and how we will use the fabric.

Learn the basics about woven fabrics-

You could trace the use of these woven fabrics since the ancient age. People in the ancient age learned the way of weaving cloth with silk and hemp. However, in due course, there is a fast development of technologies. Weavers have started using cotton, linen, silk, and chemical fiber to weave cloth. Moreover, weavers also use a range of processing techniques and equipment to make the weaving method easily. There are warp threads and weft interlaced together to ensure different levels of density and thickness.

Why choose woven fabrics-

• Woven fabrics are not much stretchable in nature, as they have independent, tightly woven yarns. The looms weaving these fabrics have loose tension. However, you may be able to stretch your woven fabrics diagonally. For this reason, they are the best options for your upholstery. You will not find the fabric getting slouched. There is a less risk of distorted shape of this fabric.
• Another notable characteristic of woven fabrics is durability. They can retain their colors for several years. However, you must not use detergent and bleach as the cleaning agents of these fabrics.
• You will not find shrinkage issue every time you clean your woven fabrics. 

Woven fabrics are of different types-

There are different ways in which you can create your woven fabrics. The commonly chosen technique is the plain weave, also known as tabby weave and linen weave. This weaving style alternates yarns and weft threads Plain weaves are highly useful in the clothing industry for their high durability.

The second one is the twill weave made by weaving some weft threads diagonally. This technique makes the fabric more resilient and there is no chance of wear and tear.

The third type of weave is the satin weave, which is slightly complicated and includes longer weft yarn. You will find some reflective and shiny effects in these woven fabrics. In most cases, these fabrics are useful for garments, like jackets and nightgowns.

Learn about the basics of non-woven fabrics-

You may not find a long history of your non-woven fabrics. Still, they have become popular within a short time. Manufacturers create a bonding of long fibers and staple fibers with chemical treatments, heat, mechanical techniques, and other process. There is no need for spinning method for these fabrics.

Why choose non-woven fabrics- Know their properties-

• When you touch non-woven fabrics, you will feel them like paper. You will find them in both thicker and thinner variations. Moreover, non-woven fabrics are available in both translucent and opaque designs.
• Although non-woven fabrics are soft, they have some resilience.
• You can find different levels of porosity in these fabrics.
• Heat bonding, gluing, and sewing are some techniques of creating non-woven fabrics.
• You can dry clean the non-woven fabrics to maintain their originality.
• These fabrics have high tensile strength 

As one of the eco-friendly fabrics, non-woven bags have replaced the plastic carriers. Moreover, they are available at a very affordable rate. Nowadays, several organizations and retailers buy non-woven tote bags bulk packages to use them for promotional campaigns. 

Uses of woven and non-woven fabrics-

The most common uses of woven fabrics are-

• To design curtains- Woven fabrics are available in a range of colors and patterns. Moreover, there are several ways to print them. You can find woven fabric curtain that matches your home decors.
• To design upholstery fabric- Upholsteries have the fire-retardant woven fabrics. Some popular woven fabrics are damask and jacquard fabrics. You can use these woven fabric covers for your headboards and other items.

Non-woven fabrics have a range of uses in our life. We have already told that custom non-woven tote bags have become the most acceptable choice for customers.

Other applications of non-woven fabrics are as follows-

• Disposable nonwoven fabrics are best for using as our dust cloths. We can cleanse them and reuse them several times.
• Nowadays, diapers, sanitary napkins and other hygiene products also have non-woven fabrics. Moreover, medical products, like drapes and surgical gowns also have these fabrics.
• Household products, like towels, blankets, and tablecloths, have non-woven fabrics.
• These fabrics also have some industrial uses, like insulation, filters, and packing materials. 

In spite of these applications, bags are common items to use non-woven fabrics. Non-woven bags logo can be useful as promotional corporate gifts.

Differences- Woven versus non-woven-

Materials used-

Raw materials used for woven and non-woven fabrics have considerable differences. Woven fabric makers need wool, cotton, silk, ramie, linen, and hemp. Nonwoven fabric makers rely on polypropylene, viscose, and PVC. However, you can find woven polypropylene bags used for different purposes. 

Eco-friendliness-

In terms of eco-friendliness, nonwoven fabric is the winner. Polypropylene has a special chemical structure that can be broken easily. That is why nonwoven PP fabrics undergo degradation within a short time. The non-woven bags become fully decomposed within 3 months while left in outdoor sites. In indoor sites, they take 8 years for decompositions. On the contrary, it is not easy to decompose woven fabrics. 

Durability level-

The woven cloth is more resilient than the nonwoven ones. The woven fabric products last longer. The nonwovens fibers remain arranged in a particular direction, and you can split them easily.