18 Pros and Cons of Modal Fabric: What You Need to Know

If you’re thinking about adding modals to your wardrobe choices, then here are some of the modal fabric pros and cons that you’ll want to review.

The cellulose used to make modal fabric comes from beech trees. Consider it a different style of the well-known rayon material. It is an excellent summer clothing option because it is very cozy and breathable, much like cotton. Women’s coats, underwear, sportswear, and household textiles all frequently use modal fabrics.

Modal fabric is undeniably softer than rayon, despite having a higher level of durability. We outline the benefits and drawbacks of modal fabric in this article. Well, let’s begin.

Pros of Modal Fabric

You might want to consider adding this fabric to your wardrobe options, then take a look at these modal fabric benefits.

Modal Fabric is Exceptionally Absorbent

Cotton is frequently the fabric of choice when trying to absorb moisture because of how absorbent the material is. The absorbency rate can be increased by up to 50% if modal fabric is used in its place. That means you don’t need to deal with clammy clothing if you’ve been sweating throughout the day.

During their playtimes, your kids will also remain drier and more comfortable. Since the material is made from pulped beechwood, you’ll discover that its inherent qualities greatly encourage breathability.

The Fiber Yield Per Acre from the Trees Used is Higher Than Cotton

When you look at the Lenzing version of modal fabric, you can see that the fabric is created from beech trees that are grown using sustainable practices. Up to ten times as much content can be produced through this process fiber yield as compared to the usual cotton field. Additionally, producing the fibers for use requires a lot less water than growing cotton, which can use up to 20 times as much water to produce a crop as beech trees do.

Modal Fabric Uses Less Water in Other Ways as Well

You don’t need to use any whitening agents to clean your clothing if you use modal fabric for your daily needs. Additionally, there is no need to add fabric softener to the load. Due to the characteristics of this material, you can even use a shorter washing cycle, which allows you to save water and energy with each load of laundry you do.

This makes this material one of the most environmentally friendly choices that are currently available when you shop for particular apparel items.

It Provides a Texture That is Soft and Smooth

The only accurate comparison of how modal fabric feels is if you have ever slept on silk or satin sheets. The material has a very smooth texture that offers a natural softness that is virtually unmatched in the modern textile industry.

These characteristics indicate that it is a delicate fabric that needs gentle washing and mild detergents for proper care, but it won’t typically feel scratchy like wool or some types of cotton can. It is a durable material that will keep you at ease under a variety of circumstances.

Modal Fabric Can Improve Other Materials

Modal is used in a variety of fabrics because it enhances the performance of several other materials. It is ideal for hygiene-related products, including medical items, because of its high absorbency rate.

When blended, this material brings out the benefits of cotton, preventing shrinkage over time and bolstering the product’s durability. Even better flexibility and strength are provided by the stretchable properties of modal when combined with lycra and spandex.

You Can Iron Modal Fabric If Necessary

Even if you wash the fabric by hand, some modal fabric clothing will wrinkle excessively after being washed. The weave and construction of the material tend to create bunching that can leave creases in the material.

You can use an iron to fix this problem, but in order to make the material shine, you must work on the opposite side of the material. It helps to press a cloth between the modal fabric and the iron to prevent scorching the fibers in the material. After being overheated, burned modal cannot be revived.

Modal Fabric Dyes Well Without Excessive Bleeding

The fact that modal fabric can be knit or woven gives it a lustrous, smooth finish and helps it drape well. The fibers tend to take and hold dyes used to create colors for clothing exceptionally well because they have such a great absorbency rate. Even if the item is brand new and has never been washed before, bleeding during the cleaning process is uncommon with this material.

Although it won’t harm other clothing, you should still wash the majority of modal fabric items with items of a similar color because they might harm the modal fabric instead. The absorbency characteristic means that it can take on the dyes that release during the washing cycle from other items.

This Material Doesn’t Rip Easily

Although the modal fabric is nowhere as durable as a material like rip-stop nylon, you will find that this textile is exceptionally stable. It is strong enough to support your family’s active way of life and move along with the kids as they discover the world. When compared to cotton or other similar natural materials, you’ll notice that the prints and colors stay more vibrant for longer because the fabric generally resists damage.

Without tag information, it can be challenging to tell the difference between the two materials. To determine the appropriate cleaning procedures or whether your product is 100% modal, you should look at the blend.

The Cost of Modal Fabric is Competitive With Other Materials

When you compare the cost-per-yard of modal fabric to other materials, you’ll find that it is quite affordable if you want to use it to make materials. When using a MicroModal product, this benefit is increased.

The majority of jersey fabrics with modal cost $13.99 per yard, offering you a wide range of colors that can help you design the ideal item. You can spend up to $19.99 per yard on fabric if you want textiles that are closer to being a 100% product.

If you buy the materials online, MicroModal frequently sells for $11.99 per yard. Shop at your neighborhood outlet or discount store to see if you can find it for less money.

Cons of Modal

Here are the cons of modal:

Harmful Chemicals

To create modal fabric, cellulose is dipped in a solution of carbon disulfide. Carbon disulfide is a neurotoxic substance. By blowing into the air, it is released into the environment and poses a health risk. In addition to producing contaminated water, factories also produce rayon.

Allergic Reaction

Allergies may develop when wearing clothing made of modal fabric. When someone uses it for the first time, this mostly happens. You may experience rashes, itching, and similar conditions because of the triggered allergies.

Some of the cases reporting such reactions have progressed to more severe symptoms like headaches, skin blistering, and swollen glands. Decide whether you are protected from such risks before purchasing a new modal fabric item. Touch the new outfit and wear it for a while prior to the purchase.

Forest Destruction

Modal clothing is usually not produced using regenerative forest pulp unless it is made by Lenzing.

Debatable Durability

Modal fabric offers less promise than other types of fabric in terms of durability. Stretchability can make a garment unusable by destroying the original structure, which is a great option for finding the ideal fit for your body.

These clothes are also more likely to sustain damage from rubbing against pointed household objects like sharp nails. We advise wearing modal fabric lingerie and pajamas since they are designed for bedtime wear due to the vulnerability of the subject.

Additionally, exposing it to more heat than necessary can cause it to lose its original shade. If the clothing is exposed to heat sources other than direct sunlight and body heat for an extended period of time, it may turn yellow. If this stain is not removed as soon as possible, the garment will become permanently scorched.

Uncertain Sustainability

Lenzing deserves our praise for making the transition to a more environmentally friendly production process. Without sacrificing the quality of their final product, their process guarantees lower carbon footprints. Other modal fabric producers, however, cannot be compared in the same way.

You may no longer stick with sustainable brands if you want to cut costs during your modal shopping spree. Most of the less expensive modal fabric suppliers do not produce their clothing in an environmentally friendly way. Their mass manufacturing is largely driven by deforestation.

Thus, unless it is an Austrian company, it is impossible to be too certain of a brand’s environmental ethics. You have much fewer options for purchases as a result than with other fabrics.

Less Heat Retention

Your wardrobe will only benefit seasonally from modal fabric. When your body needs to stay warmer than usual during the chilly winter days, it is by no means ideal. This material is unable to keep much heat inside. As a result, you can end up feeling colder wearing them when the weather gets chilly.

Therefore, we advise only wearing modal-fabric clothing in the spring and summer. You won’t get much assistance with the fall or the snowy days.

Prone to Creasing

Modal clothing can wrinkle easily, so you will need to iron it more frequently than other types of clothing. They get a lot of wrinkles, particularly if you wash them too frequently, whether by machine or by hand. This is due to the fabric’s structure and weaving technique, which allows for more creasing than other types of fabric.

High Cost

Even though their production is a lot more cost-effective than other similar fabrics, the consumer cost is still a little higher than cotton and viscose. As a result, you should think about other fabrics if you were looking for the least expensive option for your new summer wardrobe.

Modal Fabric Tends to Turn Yellow When Exposed to Too Much Heat

There are some modal fabrics that you can place in your dryer, but any heat that goes beyond regular body temperatures and sunlight creates a risk for damage with this plant-based synthetic textile. It has the tendency to turn yellow, no matter what dye is used to create the item when it receives heat exposure.

On some materials, you can get rid of this staining if you catch it when it’s still fresh; however, once it’s scorched, the product is irreparable. Due to this drawback, it is crucial that you adhere to the precise cleaning guidelines listed on the label.

Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Modal Fabric

Whether you decide to classify modal fabric as a natural material or a synthetic option, you’ll find that the pros and cons of using it generally lean toward the positive side of things. Naturally, materials derived from plants are environmentally friendly. However, not all follow strict environmental guidelines when producing their products.

Most notably TENCEL Modal, the quality, and sustainability of the fibers used to make modal fabric are undeniable. As a result, modal fabrics include a variety of sustainable materials attributes.

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