Today we are going to talk about modal material, the one that won the hearts of many gym addicts and fitness influencers. This material is so popular amongst active-wear producers and bedding textile industries due to its breathability and comfort.
But does the modal’s quality equal its popularity or price? And is it worth the hype that we are giving it? In this article today, we are going to answer your query about the question does modal wrinkle, and also talk a bit about modal fabric’s best characteristics and its environmental impact.
Key Takeaways
- Modal is a very soft and stretchy fabric, typically used to produce bedding, sportswear, yoga clothes, and pillowcases. Also, it is eco-friendly
- It was first invented in Japan as an alternative to silk since it was expensive, but nowadays modal also reached a high price
- This is a very durable and long-lasting material that gives you a feeling of comfort while wearing it
- Modal doesn’t need very much time to take care of it. You simply have to follow the instructions on the label which require little effort
- Modal is wrinkle-resistant. Even if small wrinkles appear they can be easily smoothed with low heat iron or steamer
- Even though it is made naturally, modal has chemicals added to it which makes it semi-synthetic. But since it is biodegradable and has a great carbon footprint, we are all happy
Does Modal Wrinkle?
Luckily, the modal fabric is wrinkle-resistant and it also doesn’t crease. If a few wrinkles appear in specific cases, low-heat ironing does the trick for you in a couple of seconds. This is very practical because you’ll never have to worry about the modal getting very wrinkled or take time out of your day to do the preventive ironing.
If you fold it nicely or let it dry itself straight you shouldn’t even have a preventive procedure because the cloth won’t be wrinkled at all. But, be careful while ironing it if it gets wrinkly, set the iron on low heat and gently swap over the cloth. The modal will turn yellowish if you don’t follow the instructions.
What is modal?
The modal fabric belongs to the rayon family. This fabric was first invented in Japan around the 1950s as a replicate for silk since silk was so expensive and rare to get. Its second name is HWM (high wet modulus). This is a semi-synthetic fabric often blended with other materials to create a more durable and softer texture.
Also, read a blog where we talk about rayon fabric.
How is a modal made?
Modal is made from beech trees. The trees are put through a purification procedure which makes the wood particles turn into cellulose, and then, later on, they are transformed into modal. After purification, the cellulose is soaked in sodium hydroxide but in a very small dosage, which means it leaks less toxic ingredients.
Then, it is spun to create fibers and then soaked in sulfuric acid which is the last step before bleaching or drying the material. The end result is, we get the fresh new modal material which is later turned into the cloth you would like to buy.
Modal fabric’s best characteristics
First things first, modal is a biodegradable and sustainable fabric that has a very good impact on the environment itself. Second, it has very good quality, even better than cotton. Also, modal fabric saves up to 20% of water. You will never have to worry about washing it strictly since it doesn’t even need a softener to remain soft and stretchy.
Plus, this material is very long-lasting and durable and it guarantees comfort while you are wearing it. Your clothes will look fresh even after a long period. However, one of the main downsides is that modal is known to produce allergic reactions. Also, this material doesn’t have a warm feel when worn, so it’s not made for cold days.
Breathability and Comfort
It is very breathable and soft with the ability to handle moisture easily. It is also considered to be a vegan fabric since it is made strictly from natural materials. It feels very silky and smooth on the skin, absorbs moisture, and is very sustainable for the environment. Underwear, bedding, sportswear, and pillowcases can be made from this fabric.
Taking care of modal
For your modal clothes to last longer, you’ll have to wash them properly. You can wash modal in the washing machine but it is better if you wash it using cold water. Also washing it in cold water will prevent the material from shrinking. To take care of it even better, you can also use a preventive wash bag when washing it.
If you want to use a dryer to dry it up, make sure to set the low temperature so you don’t damage the cloth. For ironing, you can iron it safely with a normal iron, you just have to check the label to make sure which setting to turn on. You shouldn’t use chemicals. We strongly advise to not use chemicals of any sort on modal.
What are the environmental modal impacts?
We already know that modal is made from plants that are natural and sustainable and biodegradable. But what happens when it is dyed? And what kind of chemical does it take to produce fresh modal? The statistics show that modal uses 50% less energy and has a carbon footprint lower than 60% which is a good deal for the environment.
It also uses very little amounts of water compared to cotton when it comes to production because cotton requires much more water than beech trees from which modal is made. There is another innovative procedure of making cotton called spin-dying which is proven to be more sustainable, but it also costs more and that’s why modal is much more expensive than other fabrics.
Also read the differences between micromodal and modal
Final words
Even though the modal is expensive compared to cotton and other fabrics, it is surely a good purchase since we now know its quality, durability, and long-lasting. It also doesn’t need a lot of caretaking to keep it fresh. It doesn’t waste a lot of your time ironing it since it is wrinkle-resistant, and with good care, you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.
All it requires is to read the label so you know what kind of care the cloth needs. This material is sustainable and very comfortable and soft which makes it practical, but not on cold days since it doesn’t have a heating effect. Finally, the modal is a great purchase and the quality proves its price.
Sewing is definitely one of my biggest hobbies. I’ve been doing it since i was young, thanks to my mother. I specialize in sewing, and that’s what i mostly write about.