Acrylic vs. Wool — What's the Difference?

Often used in affordable, colorful knitwear.

Requires careful maintenance to avoid shrinking.

Resistant to moths and mildew, ideal for easy-care garments.

A natural, breathable fiber known for its warmth.

Contributes to microplastic pollution, raising environmental concerns.

Elastic and durable, making it ideal for heirloom-quality garments.

A durable, synthetic fiber offering wool-like warmth.

Renewable and biodegradable but involves animal farming.

Suitable for people with wool allergies.

Offers natural moisture-wicking and odor resistance.

(of synthetic resins and textile fibres) made from polymers of acrylic acid or acrylates

Wool is the textile fibre obtained from sheep and other animals, including cashmere and mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, hide and fur clothing from bison, angora from rabbits, and other types of wool from camelids.Wool consists of protein together with a small percentage of lipids. In this regard it is chemically quite distinct from the more dominant textile, cotton, which is mainly cellulose.

An acrylic textile fibre

The fine, soft curly or wavy hair forming the coat of a sheep, goat, or similar animal, especially when shorn and prepared for use in making cloth or yarn

An acrylic paint

The dense, soft, often curly hair forming the coat of sheep and certain other mammals, such as the goat and alpaca, consisting of cylindrical strands of keratin covered by minute overlapping scales and much valued as a textile fiber.

An acrylic resin.

Fabric or yarn made of this hair.

A paint containing acrylic resin.

Hairy or downy material on a plant or animal, as on certain caterpillars.

A painting done in acrylic resin.

Filamentous or fibrous material similar to the wool of a sheep or other mammal.

Any of numerous synthetic fibers polymerized from acrylonitrile.

The hair of the sheep, llama and some other ruminants.

(organic chemistry) Derived from acrylic acid or acrylonitrile.

A cloth or yarn made from the wool of sheep.

Containing an acrylic resin.

Anything with a texture like that of wool.

(organic chemistry) An acrylic resin.

A fine fiber obtained from the leaves of certain trees, such as firs and pines.

(painting) A paint containing an acrylic resin.

(obsolete) Short, thick hair, especially when crisped or curled.

A painting executed using such a paint.

Yarn, including that made from synthetic fibers.

A thick sheet of plastic.

A resident of a satellite town outside Liverpool, such as St Helens or Warrington. See also Yonner.

A liquid coating system based on an acrylic resin.

The soft and curled, or crisped, species of hair which grows on sheep and some other animals, and which in fineness sometimes approaches to fur; - chiefly applied to the fleecy coat of the sheep, which constitutes a most essential material of clothing in all cold and temperate climates.

Of or containing acryl, the hypothetical radical of which acrolein is the hydride; as, acrylic acid. The characteristic residue in an acrylic compound is the carbonyl group attached directly to an ethylenic carbon.

Short, thick hair, especially when crisped or curled.

Same as acrylic resin.

A sort of pubescence, or a clothing of dense, curling hairs on the surface of certain plants.

Same as acrylic fiber.

A fabric made from the hair of sheep

A paint in which the pigment is suspended in a solution of an acrylic resin, which dries to a hard film on exposure to air.

Fiber sheared from animals (such as sheep) and twisted into yarn for weaving

A painting made using an acrylic paint.

Outer coat of especially sheep and yaks

Polymerized from acrylonitrile

A glassy thermoplastic; can be cast and molded or used in coatings and adhesives

Used especially by artists

A synthetic fabric

Acrylic contributes to microplastic pollution, whereas wool is renewable and biodegradable but involves animal farming, which has its own environmental footprint.

Wool garments should be washed in cold water, preferably by hand, and laid flat to dry to prevent shrinking and maintain their shape.

Yes, blending acrylic and wool combines the durability and ease of care of acrylic with the warmth and natural feel of wool.

Cost differences often lead consumers to choose acrylic for budget-friendly options, while wool may be preferred for investment in higher-quality, sustainable garments.

Wool's elasticity means it can stretch without breaking and return to its original shape, enhancing the comfort and durability of garments.

Synthetic alternatives, like acrylic, aim to mimic wool's warmth and texture but often fall short in breathability, moisture management, and environmental impact.

Ethical considerations include animal welfare practices, sustainable farming, and the treatment of workers in the wool industry.

Acrylic is more affordable, easier to care for, and hypoallergenic compared to wool.

Wool's natural fibers provide superior air circulation and moisture-wicking, which helps regulate temperature and reduce sweat buildup.

Not all wool is itchy; finer grades of wool, like merino, are much softer and less likely to irritate the skin.

Wool is preferred for its natural warmth, breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and environmental sustainability.

Yes, some wool garments are treated with a process called "superwash," making them more resistant to shrinking and easier to care for.

Washing acrylic garments can release microplastics into waterways, contributing to pollution and affecting aquatic life.

Acrylic can be recycled, but the process is less common and more complex than recycling natural fibers like wool.

For those sensitive to wool, hypoallergenic options include fine merino wool, which is softer and less likely to cause irritation, or synthetic fibers like acrylic.