Was sind Naturfasern?

Natural fibers are fibers that come from plant or animal sources, for example cotton, linen, hemp or wool. They are biodegradable and have been used for clothing for thousands of years.

Warum ist Kleidung aus Naturfasern nachhaltig?

Natural fibers are biodegradable, do not cause microplastics and usually require less energy to produce than synthetic fibers. Many natural fibers such as organic cotton or hemp can also be grown without pesticides.

Welche Naturfasern verwendet NIKIN?

We primarily use GOTS-certified organic cotton. Hemp, linen, TENCEL™ (Lyocell) and cork are also used. We have also recently started offering our first products made from RWS-certified merino wool.

Welche Naturfasern sind am besten für Kleidung geeignet?

It depends on the purpose: cotton is easy-care and versatile, linen is ideal for hot summer days, hemp is very robust and TENCEL™ is soft and breathable. Merino wool is particularly suitable for cooler temperatures and outdoors.

Was sind die Vorteile von Kleidung aus Naturfasern?

Natural fibers are breathable, pleasant on the skin, durable and biodegradable. They do not release any microplastics when washed and are very comfortable to wear.

Gibt es auch Nachteile von Naturfasern?

Yes, some natural fibers require more care, crease more quickly (e.g. linen) or are less elastic than synthetic fabrics. However, with the right care, these disadvantages can be easily compensated for.

Wie pflegt man Kleidung aus Naturfasern am besten?

Do not wash too often, but air, use a gentle cycle, use a mild detergent, air dry and store correctly. This will keep your clothes looking good for a long time.

Welche Fasern sind keine Naturfasern?

Synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon or elastane. They are based on petroleum, are not biodegradable and release microplastics when washed.

Warum verwendet NIKIN keine anderen Naturfasern wie Seide oder Alpakawolle?

Because animal welfare is very important to us. These materials are often problematic to extract. That's why we consciously avoid them and rely primarily on natural plant fibers and responsibly certified merino wool.

Clothing made from natural fibers: Natural, sustainable, sensible

September 24, 2025 Yvonne Lichtsteiner

What comes from nature is natural - and often also the most sustainable. When it comes to clothing in particular, more and more people are attaching importance to materials made from natural fibers as well as long-lasting quality. But are clothes made from natural fibers superior to synthetic fabrics in every respect? What are the advantages and perhaps also disadvantages of clothing made from natural fibers? In this blog, we will show you which natural fibers are used in the textile industry, which ones we use at NIKIN and why we are now also using merino wool.

Why is clothing made from natural fibers sustainable?

Natural fibers come from plant or animal sources and are biodegradable. This means that they decompose naturally after their life cycle without leaving behind microplastics or pollutants. Synthetic fibers such as polyester, on the other hand, are based on petroleum and release microplastics into our waters when washed. Many natural fibers also perform better than synthetic fibers in terms of production: they generally require less energy and cause fewer CO₂ emissions. Choosing clothes made from natural fibers and caring for them properly means choosing durable materials that are good for both the environment and your skin.

Natural fibers at NIKIN at a glance

There are many natural fabrics that are ideal for clothing, and each fiber has its own advantages. For many of our products, we also rely on selected natural materials that meet our sustainability standards:

Organic cotton: Our most commonly used natural material is still organic cotton. You can find it in our TreeShirts, TreeSweaters and TreeJogging pants. It is particularly important to us that it is GOTS-certified. Organic cotton is soft, skin-friendly, breathable and grows without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. It is easy to care for and is ideal for everyday wear.
Linen: is used selectively at NIKIN , especially in summer collections. The fiber is obtained from the flax plant and impresses with its cooling, breathable properties and natural robustness. Linen also has an antibacterial effect and has a characteristically slightly textured look.
Wool (merino wool): Recently added to the NIKIN range - in the form of RWS-certified merino wool. This particularly fine type of wool is soft, temperature-regulating and odorless. Ideal for transitional and winter clothing, especially for active people. You can find out why we have now added merino wool to our range of materials in the second part of this blog series.
Hemp: Is used sporadically at NIKIN , especially in blended fabrics. Hemp is one of the most environmentally friendly natural fibers, as it requires little water and grows entirely without pesticides. The fiber is tear-resistant, durable and has natural antibacterial properties.
TENCEL™ (Lyocell): A modern plant-based cellulose fiber - mostly from eucalyptus - which is used in selected products at NIKIN . It is soft, breathable, moisture-regulating and completely biodegradable. It is produced in a closed-loop system that conserves resources.
Cork: is mainly used by NIKIN in accessories such as TreeCaps. Cork is light, water-repellent, durable and is obtained from the bark of the cork oak - without felling the Tree . An innovative plant-based alternative to leather or plastic components.

Other examples of natural fibers that are used in the clothing industry, but not at NIKIN , are cashmere, silk, leather, alpaca or camel hair. You can find a complete overview of all the materials we currently use at NIKIN in our material list.

What natural fibers can do and where they reach their limits

Natural fibers have many advantages - especially for the environment. But they are not a miracle material. As with all materials, it depends on the right use, care and mix. We show you where they are superior to synthetic fibers and where they reach their limits:

Advantages:

Biodegradable: Natural fibers decompose naturally without leaving any harmful residues. This is a major advantage over synthetic fibers, which often release microplastics and do not decompose for centuries.
Breathable and skin-friendly: materials such as organic cotton, linen or merino wool ensure a pleasant feeling on the skin and a natural temperature balance. Ideal for sensitive skin or changeable weather.
Usually more durable than synthetic fibers: High-quality natural fibers last for many years with good care. Wool and hemp in particular are robust and retain their shape and function even after frequent wear. This means that less new clothing needs to be bought.
No microplastics during washing: Unlike synthetic fibers, no synthetic particles get into the wastewater during washing.

Disadvantages:

Sometimes more care-intensive: Natural fibers react more sensitively to heat or aggressive detergents. Wool or linen in particular require special care to stay beautiful for a long time. It is therefore worth taking a look at the care instructions before washing for the first time.
More prone to creasing: Some plant fibers crease more quickly than synthetic fabrics. Although this is a natural look, it sometimes requires a little more ironing.
Not always as elastic as synthetic fibers: Natural materials often offer less elasticity. For close-fitting or sporty cuts, elastic fibers are therefore often added - usually spandex, which is produced on a petroleum basis.

How to properly care for clothing made from natural fibers

To ensure that clothes made from natural fibers stay beautiful and you can wear them for a long time, you should take a look at the care instructions before washing them for the first time. Most natural fibers don't like unnecessary heat and aggressive detergents. A few simple tips will prevent your clothes from fading, fading or deforming:

Less is more: clothing made from natural fibers does not need to be washed after every wear - thorough airing is often enough. As many natural fibers are breathable, they also smell less quickly. Less washing protects the material and saves water and energy.
Gentle cycle & mild detergent: Wash your clothes at low temperatures on the gentle program. It is best to use an ecological, mild detergent and avoid fabric softener as it can damage the fibers.
Air dry instead of tumble dry: Ideally, air dry your clothes. The tumble dryer can put unnecessary strain on natural fibers and cause them to shrink. Be particularly careful with wool: It should always be wet and dried flat so that it retains its shape.

You will also find individual care instructions for each product in the online store - tailored to the material and finish. If you are unsure about how to care for a particular material, you can also visit Clevercare. There you will find detailed tips on how to care for your clothes sustainably and gently so that they stay beautiful for a long time.

Natural fibers - a natural step towards a more sustainable future

Clothing made from natural fibers is more than just a trend. It is an important step towards conscious consumption and sustainable fashion. Whether organic cotton, linen or merino wool - clothing made from natural fibers is a central building block on the way to more sustainability in the closet. At NIKIN , we therefore focus on natural fibers that meet our quality and sustainability standards and would like to offer you even more choice with our entry into the world of wool.

If you are interested in the topic in more depth, we recommend the documentary "The True Cost" - an impressive look behind the scenes of the fashion industry and the impact of our clothing choices on people and the environment.