It takes around 100 pounds of skim milk to make just 3 pounds of this fibre (Source: Pexels)In the world of fashion, there has long been a discussion around the comparison and feasibility of natural vs synthetic apparel. With the climate crisis worsening by the hour, the shift to sustainable and circular fashion choices has been tectonic. One such alternative gaining traction in India is milk fibre. It is exactly how it sounds – a clothing fibre made from spoiled milk, invented in Italy in the 1930s. It takes 100 pounds of skim milk to make just 3 pounds of this fibre.
Milk fibre is a regenerated protein fibre that comes with silk-like smoothness, cotton-like hygroscopicity, and linen-like breathability. So far, it has been used to make t-shirts, underwear, sportswear, sweaters, and luxury sarees. It blends easily with other fabrics and can be quickly dyed, making it a versatile pick for fashionistas.
It is made from a protein called casein, found in skimmed milk, whose structure can be modified to mimic animal fibres like wool. The technique is somewhat similar to that of viscose rayon. The milk is first treated with acid, which yields curd-like churned casein, followed by washing, drying, and pulverising. These are then spun into extremely fine filaments, about 20–30μ in diameter.
This lightweight fibre is said to be quite skin-friendly, and is believed to have hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, hygroscopic, and antibacterial properties – making it an attractive choice for those who are particular about their fabrics.
However, due to their high production cost and limited scalability, milk fibre products remain premium, which not many can afford. Also, it wrinkles easily after washing, making it hard to maintain.
Milk fibre feels luxuriously soft on the skin and is said to have anti-microbial, hgroscopic, an hypoallergen properties (source: pixabay)
Speaking to indianexpress.com, Dr Navjot Arora, Dermaheal Skin and Clinic’s consultant dermatologist, clarifies that there is no sound scientific evidence to confirm the antibacterial and hypoallergenic nature.
“While casein proteins do have some natural antibacterial properties, their effect when processed into fabric is not strong enough to guarantee protection against bacteria in daily use. Similarly, while some people find milk fibre soft and comfortable, this does not automatically make it hypoallergenic for everyone.”
That being said, it is, naturally, a better alternative to synthetic picks that can often cause irritation, rashes, and harbour bacterial growth.
While milk fibre feels like luxury on the skin, Dr Arora tells us it isn’t for everyone, especially those with dairy allergies. Although the chemical processing significantly reduces the protein content, it might not be completely eliminated.
“Though rare, allergic individuals can experience mild skin irritation, rashes, or itching. For those with severe dairy allergies, even minimal exposure to casein proteins could trigger a reaction.”
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