What are non-woven fabrics?

Nonwoven fabrics are flat fabrics made from short-staple fibers and long filament fibers, which are felted or bonded together by a mechanical, thermal or chemical process. The fibers may be oriented in one direction or spread randomly into webs, mats or sheets. It may consist of one layer or multiple layers.

The production process of non-woven fabrics does not involve spinning or weaving as they are made directly from separate fibers, molten or dissolved fiber forming materials like plastic. It is said to be the easiest method to create fabric from fibers. Polyester, and viscose (rayon) are the most commonly used fibers. Other fibers are nylon, microfiber, acrylic cotton, and bamboo fiber.

The main types of nonwoven fabrics that we regularly use are interfacing, fusible web, felt, fake leather, fleece, and batting. Dryer sheets and wet wipes are made of a nonwoven material. Suede and Synthetic suede are non-woven. Vinyl, vinyl and resin-coated fabrics, rubberized fabrics, and plastic laminates are other non-woven fabrics. Boiled wool is a fabric made with the non-woven method.

Another non-woven fabric is the Polypropylene material that disposable hospital gowns, bed covers, etc are made of – other than this, these materials are used to make bag lining, shopping bags, shoe bags, disposable diaper covers.

Wool nonwovens are used for filtration purposes. They are also used for making thermal blankets. They are also used to make bathroom mats.