Elastane

Perhaps no one is longing for clothes made of elastane, yet we cannot imagine our wardrobe without it. Elastane adds elasticity to our T-shirts and knitwear dresses. A cotton T-shirt without a blend of elastane will stretch after the first wear. Sportswear made of polyester without elastane will not adapt to the shape of the body.

Elastane is an elastic artificial fiber that has been improving our clothing since the late 1950s. In the market, we can also encounter elastane under trade names such as Spandex, Lycra, Dorlastan, etc.

Since elastane is a completely artificial fiber, clothing with elastane withstands significantly lower washing and ironing temperatures than, for example, pure cotton or viscose. Clothes made of elastane need to be washed between 30 and 40 °C.

Most clothes with elastane do not need much ironing. Dresses, T-shirts, and pants hold their shape. For fabrics with a higher content of artificial fibers (polyester, polyamide), it is always necessary to first test the temperature of the iron on the reverse side of the fabric.

A characteristic feature of elastane fibers is their high elasticity. The fibers can stretch to 3-7 times their original length without breaking. After releasing the applied force, they return to their original length. Elastane fibers are very fine and are always used in combination with other fibers. In materials that contain elastane fibers, users especially appreciate the greater elasticity of the material, its ability to maintain its shape over the long term, and significantly reduced tendency to wrinkle. At the same time, adding a small amount of elastane does not change the properties of the base material. Elastane fiber is resistant to seawater and sunlight.

Elastane fiber does not absorb moisture and is very easy to maintain. The washing and overall maintenance of garments containing elastane fiber must be adjusted to the needs of the material that predominates.