Rayon, a semi-synthetic fiber, and Polyester, a synthetic fiber, have similar heat retention, moisture wicking, and breathability. Rayon fabric tends to be softer than polyester and has a better drape, but polyester is a much more durable fabric. Both rayon and polyester fabric are cheap to produce at volume and both are considered unsustainable (except recycled polyester).
Check out the table below then read on for more information about which fabric is best:
Rayon vs Silk Comparison Table
Property | Rayon | Polyester |
---|---|---|
Other Names | Viscose, Modal, Lyocell | PET (polyethylene terephthalate) |
Made From | Chemically-treated wood and bamboo cellulose | Polyester is a synthetic fabric made using petroleum products, although it is increasingly made from recycled plastic bottles. |
Advantages | Rayon is cheap to produce and provides a substantially higher yield per acre than most other fabrics | Very high durability, with good breathability and moisture wicking makes polyester a very practical fabric. Can be mass produced at low cost. |
Disadvantages | Rayon shrinks in hot water, and the more environmentally-friendly methods of creating it increase costs. Some forms of rayon require dry cleaning. Rayon may absorb body oils leading to staining. | Significant environmental concern. |
Uses | Rayon is used for clothing, bed sheets, curtains, and carpets. | As a fabric, polyester is used widely in apparel and furnishings. Other uses include bottles and LCD displays. |
Natural or Synthetic | Semi-Synthetic | Synthetic |
Woven or Knitted | Either | Either |
Thread Count | 300-600 | 200-1000 |
Washing | Dry clean or gentle hand wash in cold water (always check the label first) | Typically fine in the washing machine, but watch out for blends that need to be hand washed or washed in cooler water (always check the label first) |
Drying | Air dry only, do not tumble dry as shrinkage is likely | Normally fine in a tumble dryer with a low heat setting (check the label first) |
Ironing | Iron inside-out while damp with low heat | Can be ironed, typically on warm settings. Turn it inside out and use a covering cloth and steam to reduce direct heat. Too much heat can melt the garment. |
Wrinkle Resistance | Wrinkles easily, especially when damp. | Don’t tend to wrinkle |
Heat Retention | Medium | Medium |
Moisture Wicking | Good | Good |
Breathability | Very Good | Very Good |
Stretchability | Medium | |
Flammability (untreated) | Very High | High (tends to melt rather than burn) |
Water-Resistance (untreated) | Poor | Medium |
Color-Fastness | Poor | Good |
Strength | Medium when dry, but weaker when wet | Very Good |
Durability | Low | Excellent |
Drape | Fluid | Stiff |
Softness | Good | Medium |
Environmental Impact Score (A is best, E is worst) | Generic Viscose Rayon = E, Modal = D, TENCEL = B | Virgin Polyester = D, Chemically Recylced Polyester = B, Mechanically Recycled Polyester = A |
Sustainability Issues | The Rayon industry contributes to deforestation and pollution. Rayon production is chemically-intensive. | Polyester is a plastic. It does not degrade and requires significant energy, chemicals, and waste to create. We recommend only using recycled polyester products. |
Vegan | Yes | Yes |