Style and practicality often work hand in hand in the apparel industry. That’s why manufacturers everywhere, from Europe to Asia, work tirelessly to create fabrics with smoother surfaces, warming or cooling properties, and even anti-bacterial/anti-parasitic technology. However, one underrated feature manufacturers have been experimenting with is negative ion fabric–garments designed to actively make you healthier.
It sounds like something out of science fiction, but there have been numerous case studies detailing this fabric and how it boosts immunity, enhances sleep, and may even improve mental health. So what even is negative ion fabric, and how does it work? More importantly, how can you use it for your own apparel garments?
What is a negative ion fabric?
Negative ions are electrical molecules that the body can absorb to create positive reactions in circulation and health. While studies surrounding negative ions are still in flux, these molecules have been proven to reduce depressive symptoms, activate body and cognitive performance, and even repel harmful microbes.
Hard to imagine? Just go out and walk into a forest to see for yourself. If you feel a little better after casually exploring nature, that’s because plants and trees emit high amounts of negative ions in the air. You can feel that same energy from light amounts of sunrays, electrical charge from a thunderstorm, and especially waterfalls.
All of this is to say that negative ions are generally beneficial, which is why negative ion fabric is so fantastic for health. Negative ion fabric uses specially designed fiber that emits its own ions, which are better absorbed through direct contact with skin. While you’d normally absorb only 15% of negative ions in the air, these fibers allow you to absorb negative ions 85% more effectively or more.
How negative ion fabric works
While the effects seem wondrous, and maybe a little too good to be true, the process of creating negative ion fabric is actually rather straightforward.
Negative ion fabrics incorporate minerals that release small amounts of electrical charges, called anion additives, that infuse the fiber with its healthy properties. This additive usually comes in the form of a powder (like tourmaline or other minerals), though techniques in combining these materials vary wildly.
You can find proper certification on negative ion fabric through modern fabric testing standards, like the GB/T 30128-2013 issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China.
These tests typically record the amount of negative ions released per cubic or square meter in standard testing environments. For example, the previously mentioned test requires negative ion fabrics to prove that “ion mobility can collect more than 0.15 (cm2/V.s) ions.”
Benefits of negative ion fabric in apparel
This is all very scientific, but as a textile and apparel merchandiser, our focus has always been on the benefits this fabric technology can provide for your brand. If you’re engaged in athleisure, sportswear, or any form of health-conscious fashion, negative ion fabric provides so many benefits to your customer base that it feels wrong not to include it.
Among the benefits we already named, here’s a more detailed look at what negative ion fabric can do for your customers:
- Support metabolism
- Strengthen the immune system
- Greatly improve vitality and decrease heart rate during strenuous exercise
- Block bacterial growth
- Reduce the negative effects of modern air pollution
- Improve blood circulation
…And just generally feels amazing to wear.
What apparel works best for negative ion fabric?
The kind of apparel you’d use for negative ion fabric largely depends on your needs. However, we’ve already mentioned that it’s particularly great for fitness-focused customers, so athletic brands will definitely find many more advantages for this product.
However, negative ion fabrics also work great for casual clothes, especially for the ill, the elderly, or those generally concerned with health.
Here’s some common apparel that would work great with negative ion fabrics:
- Shirts
When in doubt, a simple shirt always does the trick. Whether you’re thinking of an oversized tee, a polo, a regular cut tee, or a long-sleeve, implementing negative ion fabrics on tops allows better absorption in the torso area and a more even feel to the rest of the body.
We’re particularly fond of long-sleeved shirt variations, since they provide the most adequate coverage for better ion absorption. Tighter shirt fits for workouts also function nicely here.
- Jackets
While it may not have direct contact with the skin, hoodies work great for taking advantage of negative ion fabric. They’re soft, thick, and perfectly envelope the body in a nice fit.
They’re especially great for post-workout fits, helping with hard-earned recovery after a long and arduous workout.
- Jerseys
Providing your local sports team with comfortable apparel for their competitive events? Negative ion fabrics can be the perfect boost to a jersey collection, providing even more comfort and health benefits to an already super-efficient shirt variation.
These are just a few of the best apparel items hat make the most of negative ion fabrics, but there are definitely more. Send us an inquiry if you’re interested in really experimenting on something new for your brand!
Where to find negative ion fabric
So you know what negative ion fabrics are now, but where can you even find them?
Considering the latest developments and technologies surrounding these fabrics, you’ll have to go a little out of your way to find a good example. Many are produced in East Asian countries like Japan and China.
For example, Teviron & Neoron, Japanese negative ion fibers, is the leading producer of the fabric in over 20 countries. Sinhotek from China is also producing some negative ion fabric variants that include deodorizing and moisture-adjusting properties.
Our team at Shirtual has access to our own supply of negative ion fabrics that far excels from required levels of standard testing, producing over a thousand negative ions per cubic centimeter.
We also provide fabric options with the latest technological developments. Everything from UV protection, moisture-wicking, quick-drying properties, heat-regulating, anti-wrinkling and even bacteria and parasite-repelling–we have fabrics that can do it all.
In this day and age, consumers are growing ever more conscious of the premium pricetag on many branded clothes, and they often demand equal value for their purchases. If you’re not providing that value through design or fabric technology, you’re definitely missing out.
Contact us today at Shirtual to see how you can boost your fabric game this year!
