Material information
We take sustainability and good design into account in all our design work. Together with fabric manufacturers, we select and develop the most ecological materials for our products that will last over time, use and looks.
COTTON
The absolute excellence of products made from cotton is their breathability and skin-friendliness. Cotton is a light, flexible and soft fiber, which means that it can be used to make textiles that are pleasant to the skin. Despite its softness, cotton is strong and does not stretch much. This easily wrinkled fiber also lasts better when it is not exposed to too much sun.
Cotton is not known to cause allergic reactions. Cotton can be woven in many different ways, and alongside the traditional plain weave, Denim, the fabric used in jeans, is also a very common type of cotton fabric. Cotton is also made into knits in different weaves, the most common of which is single knit.
We use organic cotton when our volumes allow it. Cotton can be called organic when it has been grown using organic methods. Cotton sold and marketed as organic is certified by a third party. In the future, we will strive to replace cotton with a more ecological alternative, such as Lyoncell cellulose fiber.
WOOL
Wool is believed to be one of the first fibers from which yarn was made. There are dozens of breeds of sheep that grow wool. Products made from this animal-derived material are good at retaining heat and repel water and dirt. This means that wool products do not need to be washed very often. Wool is also flexible and soft in itself. In addition, wool recovers well from stretching and does not wrinkle easily. Wool is often mixed with other products to make them more durable.
Wool is also relatively fire-safe compared to other materials, as it does not easily catch fire. In addition to sheep wool, many other animal hairs are also used, including mohair, cashmere, camel hair, and angora.
SILK
Silk is a prized material obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. It is a popular material, especially for shirts, skirts, ties and men's suits. Silk is also a strong material, but at the same time soft and pleasant to the skin.
Silk is suitable for both summer and winter clothing. In the heat of summer, silk feels cool on the skin, but silk also insulates heat excellently. Silk should not be dried in the sun, as it can become brittle.
FLAX
Flax that can be used to make linen clothing, is an extremely strong fiber that repels dirt and is easy to wash. It is pleasant on the skin and absorbs moisture effectively, making it suitable for summer clothing. As flax is a strong and stiff fiber that does not stretch much, it wrinkles easily. As the fiber has good thermal conductivity, it is also excellent for summer clothing and bedding. Flax can loose its strength when exposed to UV radiation for a long time.
Flax is a very environmentally friendly fiber. Flax has a natural resistance to pests, which means that harmful pesticides are not needed in cultivation. In addition, rainwater alone is usually sufficient for flax to grow.
VISCOSE
Viscose is a soft fiber that resembles silk in terms of drape and shine. It absorbs moisture well, so it feels cool on the skin. Viscose is also lighter than cotton and absorbs moisture better. Viscose is often used in blends with other fibers. When viscose and modal are blended with synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, they increase the product's moisture absorption capacity, soften the feel and drape.
Viscose wrinkles easily during use and has poor abrasion resistance, making it unsuitable for heavy wear. Viscose is not elastic or resilient and has poor resistance to weather and light.
POLYESTER
Polyester products are easy to wash, as they dry quickly and are easy to iron. The material is used especially in blends, where it increases strength, dimensional and shape retention, straightening and ease of care. Polyester is used in blends especially with wool, cotton and viscose. Polyester is also an elastic, strong, wrinkle-resistant and soft textile that is highly resistant to abrasion. Dyeing polyester requires significantly fewer chemicals than dyeing cotton, for example.
We use both virgin and recycled polyester. We always choose polyester when our volumes allow.
ACRYLIC
Acrylic is similar in many ways to wool in structure, feel and properties, but is lighter and more machine washable. It is widely used in knitwear, either alone or in a blend. Acrylic can pill easily, but this can be prevented with regular, gentle washing and ironing.
Acrylic is highly resistant to weather, light and micro-organisms. However, it does not withstand hot conditions, so it is best to wash it with lukewarm water.
ELASTANE
Elastane is a lightweight, stretchy material that is often blended with another fiber to increase comfort and flexibility. Good quality elastane extends the life of a product by improving the dimensional stability of the product. The material helps clothes retain their shape. A product containing high-quality elastane will not pill or stretch, and if it does, it will also return to its original shape.
The elastane used in our products is always of high quality. We ensure this through material and trial use tests. In woven fabrics, the elastane is of workwear quality and therefore withstands industrial washing.
MODAL
Modal has many properties similar to viscose. It is soft, but does not lose its shape or shrink like viscose. Modal is a strong fiber that is also machine washable.
Modal is also similar to cotton in many ways. It absorbs moisture well and does not become static. It is also lighter and more flowing than cotton. Modal is often used as a blend with other fibers. When viscose and modal are blended with synthetic fibers such as polyester and polyamide, they increase the product's moisture absorption capacity, soften the feel and flow.
POLYESTER WITH COTTON
PES/CO stands for cotton-polyester blend. The soft cotton gives the durable polyester a bit of breathability and makes the material comfortable to wear. The materials we choose are durable and look professional, adding an edge to everything from fine dining to the BBQ-kiosk.
POLYAMIDE
Products containing polyamide are easy to wash, as they dry quickly and are easy to iron. The material is used especially in blends, where it increases strength, durability, dimensional and shape retention, straightening and ease of care. Polyamide also has good abrasion and tensile strength. Polyamide is used in blends especially with wool, cotton and viscose.
LEATHER
100% leather stands for genuine leather. For example, the shoemaker's apron, Helsinki, is durable, breathable and, thanks to its cotton-polyester lining, also comfortable to wear. A tip for storing and preserving a leather apron: Do not leave the apron lying in the sun for days as it dries out and fades the leather.
The leather we use is always a by-product of food production or industrial waste.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 — safe material
The Oeko-Tex label is an international textile testing and certification system. The label guarantees that the materials used in the products have been tested to be safe for their users. The certificate issued by independent research institutes guarantees that the product does not contain harmful pesticide, heavy metal or formaldehyde residues. The pH level of the material that has received the label is skin-friendly, the product has been tested to be free of harmful substances and the dyes used are non-toxic. To obtain the label, the textiles must be tested by an independent research institute that is involved in the Oeko-Tex cooperation. Products made of Telakka's sturdy mixed knit do not contain substances that are dangerous to humans when in contact with the skin and are also excellent for people with sensitive skin.