ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Recycled Cotton Fabrics

What ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Is and Why It Matters

ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton is a family of knit fabrics manufactured by AKAS Tex, combining pre-consumer recycled cotton with post-consumer recycled polyester (from plastic bottles) to divert textile waste from landfills while using up to 99% less water than virgin cotton production. This is the only recycled fiber family in the Wazoodle collection, and the only product line where environmental impact documentation — through US Cotton Trust Protocol verification — is a primary selection criterion alongside fabric performance.

The family spans three construction types designed to coordinate: Jersey for garment bodies, Fleece for insulating layers, and Rib for trim and cuffs — available in matching colorways for complete garment builds from a single sustainable fiber system. Five variants range from 175 GSM lightweight jersey to 430 GSM heavy-duty Stretch-FIT rib with Lycra-enhanced recovery.

All variants hold CPSIA certification, Forever Chemicals-Free verification, and ProECO SustainSafe (chemical-free manufacturing) processing. Made in USA.

One important trade-off: recycled cotton fibers have 10–50% lower tensile strength than virgin cotton due to shorter staple length from mechanical recycling. These fabrics are designed for everyday apparel and casual wear — not heavy-duty or high-stress applications.

For how ProECO SustainSafe technology works, see "What is ProECO SustainSafe Technology?"

The Complete ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Lineup

ProECO ReInspire includes five variants across three coordinating constructions. All share recycled cotton/polyester content, ProECO SustainSafe processing, and CPSIA certification. Your decision involves construction type (what you're making) and — within Jersey and Rib — which weight and stretch profile fits your project.

Jersey — Single-Knit Body Fabric

W-314 V1 ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Jersey: 175 GSM light-medium weight, 50/50 recycled cotton/polyester, 66–68" width, 10%/10% bidirectional stretch, 5%/5% shrinkage. Class 1 flammability. UPF 50+ sun protection. The foundation garment fabric — t-shirts, casual tops, children's clothing, loungewear, and baby apparel.
W-400 V2 ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Jersey: 190–245 GSM medium weight, 60/40 recycled cotton/polyester (higher cotton content), 58–60" width, minimal stretch, minimal shrinkage. UPF 15–20 (lighter colors 15, darker colors 20). The heavier jersey option with more cotton hand feel and greater dimensional stability. Uses 99% less water than virgin cotton.

Fleece — Brushed Insulating Layer

W-308 ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Fleece: 280 GSM medium weight, 50/50 recycled cotton/polyester, 64–66" width, 10%/5% stretch, 5%/5% shrinkage, 0.037" thick. Brushed pile surface traps air for warmth while knit structure allows moisture vapor transmission. Customer-validated for euro-style sweatshirt construction. Coordinates with Jersey and Rib in matching colorways.

Rib — Trim and Fitted Construction

W-315 ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Rib: 175 GSM light-medium weight, 50/50 recycled cotton/polyester, 60–62" width, 10%/5% stretch, 5%/5% shrinkage. Vertical rib construction provides inherent stretch recovery without spandex. Class 1 flammability. For cuffs, collars, neckbands, and waistbands coordinating with Jersey and Fleece.
W-317 ProECO Stretch-FIT ReInspire Recycled Cotton Rib: 430 GSM heavy weight, 95% recycled cotton blend with 5% Lycra spandex, 58–60" width, 35%/10% stretch, 5–8%/5–8% shrinkage. Lycra Stretch-FIT (enhanced elastic recovery) prevents bagging at stress points. For trim requiring maximum grip retention and fitted athletic wear. Customer-validated for sweatshirt construction with color coordination.

Key Concept — Coordinating System: ProECO ReInspire is designed as a coordinating fabric system — Jersey for garment bodies, Fleece for insulating layers, and Rib for trim — available in matching colorways for cohesive garment construction from a single sustainable fiber source. Customers note that color matching between constructions (particularly black fleece with black rib) may require advance verification.

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.

Choosing Your ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton: Construction and Version

All ProECO ReInspire variants share recycled fiber content, CPSIA certification, chemical-free processing, and documented environmental impact reduction. Your primary decision is construction type; within Jersey and Rib, a secondary decision on weight and stretch.

Choosing Your Jersey

V1 (W-314, 175 GSM) — Choose for lightweight garments where 10%/10% bidirectional stretch and UPF 50+ sun protection matter: t-shirts, baby clothing, children's apparel for outdoor play. The lighter weight provides fluid drape.
V2 (W-400, 190–245 GSM) — Choose for heavier-weight garments where greater dimensional stability and higher cotton content (60/40) matter: casual tops, everyday wear, and applications where a more substantial cotton hand feel is preferred. Note: UPF 15–20 (color-dependent) provides lower sun protection than V1.

Choosing Your Rib

Standard Rib (W-315, 175 GSM) — Choose for general-purpose trim: cuffs, collars, neckbands, and waistbands where 10% crosswise stretch with natural rib recovery is sufficient. Lightweight and easy to work with. Class 1 flammability allows use in children's sleepwear.
Stretch-FIT Rib (W-317, 430 GSM) — Choose for trim requiring maximum grip and recovery: waistbands and cuffs on activewear, athletic trim, and fitted garments where Lycra-enhanced 35% crosswise stretch prevents bagging through extended wear. The heavy weight provides structure. Note: Lycra requires medium-heat drying only.

Choosing Fleece

Fleece (W-308, 280 GSM) — The only insulating option in the family. Choose for sweatshirts, hoodies, loungewear, and layering pieces where breathable warmth is needed. Coordinates with both Jersey and Rib for complete garment builds.

Flammability restriction: Fleece (W-308) is rated Class 2/3 per 16 CFR Part 1610. It is NOT recommended for children's sleepwear or exposed areas of apparel where the surface is directly exposed to ignition sources. Jersey V1 (W-314) and Standard Rib (W-315) are Class 1 — suitable for general apparel including children's sleepwear.

For cross-family comparisons between ProECO ReInspire and other ProECO constructions, see the relevant Decision Framework articles.

Working With ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProECO ReInspire fabrics handle like standard cotton-blend knits with one key difference: recycled cotton's shorter fiber length means slightly more pilling and lower tensile strength than virgin equivalents. Beginner-friendly across all variants.

Cutting and Layout

Pre-wash before cutting — expect 5% shrinkage on most variants, 5–8% on W-317 Stretch-FIT Rib. Pre-wash at the temperature you'll use for the finished garment. Test a small piece first.
Jersey edge curl: Both V1 and V2 curl toward the face side — standard single-knit behavior. Use weights during layout and stabilize edges promptly after cutting.
Rib edge curl: Both Rib variants curl along the crosswise grain. Manage with stay tape or fold-over techniques during construction.
Fleece pile direction: Cut all pieces with brushed pile running the same direction for consistent appearance.

Sewing Recommendations

Needle: Ballpoint or stretch needle for all variants — prevents snagging the knit loops.
Stitch type: Stretch stitch or narrow zigzag for Jersey, Fleece, and Standard Rib. Especially critical for Stretch-FIT Rib (W-317), where 35% stretch will pop straight stitches.
Thread: Polyester thread for durability through repeated hot-water laundering.
Coordinating builds: When combining Jersey + Fleece + Rib in a single garment, verify color matching across constructions before cutting — customers report potential variation in black colorways between fabric types.

Pairing ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

ProECO ReInspire is primarily designed as a self-coordinating system — Jersey, Fleece, and Rib working together within the same sustainable fiber family. External pairing is less common but applicable for absorbent and barrier applications.

Coordinated ReInspire Builds

Sweatshirt or hoodie: ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Fleece (W-308, body) with ProECO Stretch-FIT ReInspire Recycled Cotton Rib (W-317, cuffs and waistband) or ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Rib (W-315, trim). Customer-validated euro-style sweatshirt construction.
T-shirt with rib trim: ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Jersey (W-314, body) with ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Rib (W-315, neckband and cuffs). Matching colorways for cohesive sustainable garment.

Cross-Family Builds

Reusable menstrual pad: ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Fleece (W-308, absorbent layer) → ProSoft 1 mil ECO-PUL (W-375, waterproof backing). Customers explore fleece for menstrual pad construction leveraging its absorbency and softness.

Your results may vary based on product design and construction. For complete build guidance on specific projects, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

Common Applications for ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton

ProECO ReInspire serves everyday apparel and casual wear where documented sustainability credentials matter alongside comfortable performance. The coordinating system enables complete garments from a single recycled fiber source.

Sweatshirts and hoodies — The primary application for the coordinating system. Fleece (W-308) body with Rib trim (W-315 or W-317) creates complete sustainable sweatshirts. A customer validated euro-style sweatshirt construction with satisfaction.
T-shirts and casual tops — Both Jersey variants serve as garment body fabric. V1 (W-314) provides lightweight drape with UPF 50+; V2 (W-400) provides heavier cotton hand feel with greater stability.
Children's clothing and baby apparel — CPSIA certification with Forever Chemicals-Free verification supports commercial children's product sales. V1 Jersey (W-314) and Standard Rib (W-315) hold Class 1 flammability for sleepwear applications.
Loungewear and sleepwear — Jersey for lightweight sleep garments, Fleece for warmer loungewear layers. The breathable recycled cotton/polyester blend provides comfortable temperature regulation.
Activewear and athleisure — Stretch-FIT Rib (W-317) at 35% crosswise stretch serves fitted athletic trim. Fleece provides breathable insulation for active layering. UPF 50+ on V1 Jersey supports outdoor training wear.
Reusable menstrual pads — Customers explore Fleece (W-308) for absorbent personal care construction, leveraging the brushed pile's moisture capacity and softness.
Eco-conscious brand collections — The documented environmental story (up to 99% less water, waste diversion, US Cotton Trust Protocol verification) provides the supply chain transparency that sustainability-focused brands require for product labeling and marketing claims.

For complete build guides for specific applications, see the relevant Application Discovery articles.

ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Certifications

All ProECO ReInspire variants hold core safety certifications through ProECO SustainSafe (chemical-free manufacturing) processing. Environmental certifications are central to this family's value proposition.

Safety Certifications

CPSIA Certified: Children's product safety compliance (lead, phthalates, BPA testing)
California Proposition 65 Compliant
EU REACH SVHC and RoHS 10 Compliant
UPF 50+: V1 Jersey (W-314), Fleece (W-308), Standard Rib (W-315), Stretch-FIT Rib (W-317). V2 Jersey (W-400) is UPF 15–20 (color-dependent)
Made in USA: EPA/OSHA manufacturing standards
Flammability: Class 1 for V1 Jersey (W-314) and Standard Rib (W-315). Class 2/3 for Fleece (W-308)

Environmental and Chemical-Free Verifications

US Cotton Trust Protocol: Verified sustainable cotton sourcing with documented metrics on land use, water management, soil carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions
Recycled Content: Pre-consumer recycled cotton (textile manufacturing scraps) and post-consumer recycled polyester (PET plastic bottles)
Forever Chemicals-Free: No PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, PTFE detected
BPA-Free, Phthalate-Free, Lead-Free: Tested per CPSIA standards
pH 7.4 (Neutral): No acidic or basic residues
Color Fastness 4.5: Exceeds standard 3–4 rating

Fabric vs. Finished Product: CPSIA certification of the fabric does not automatically certify your finished product. Finished children's products may require independent testing depending on your product category and sales channels.

For what these certifications require and mean for your products, see the relevant Features Discovery articles.

ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Care

ProECO ReInspire fabrics tolerate straightforward care across most variants — hot water washing and medium heat drying. The exception is Stretch-FIT Rib (W-317), where Lycra content requires a heat ceiling.

Washing

Wash hot water with standard detergent for all variants. Hot washing supports sanitation for children's products and personal care applications. ProECO SustainSafe processing delivers dimensional stability through laundering — most variants show only 5% controlled shrinkage already accounted for in pre-washing.

Pilling in fleece is normal — and intentional. Our fleece is manufactured without anti-pill chemical treatments. Anti-pill finishes use silicones, resins, or chemical crosslinkers that reduce breathability, compromise softness, and introduce environmental concerns — with effectiveness lasting only 5–30 washes. Some surface pilling is expected with wear and friction. Use a fabric shaver to restore the surface — never pull pills by hand, which damages the base fabric structure.

Drying

Tumble dry medium heat for all variants. For W-317 Stretch-FIT Rib, medium heat is the maximum — high heat above 150°F degrades Lycra elastic fibers permanently. All other variants tolerate higher heat without damage, though medium optimizes fabric longevity.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners — they coat recycled cotton and polyester fibers, destroying breathability and absorbency across all variants. For W-317, softeners also destroy Lycra stretch recovery. Never use bleach on V2 Jersey (W-400) — it severely damages recycled cotton fibers. Oxygen bleach is acceptable for all other variants. Expect more surface pilling than virgin cotton fabrics — this is inherent to shorter recycled fiber length. Use a fabric shaver to restore appearance.

### ### Pre-Wash Requirements Pre-wash before cutting — expect 5% shrinkage for most variants, 5–8% for W-317 Stretch-FIT Rib. Pre-wash at the temperature you'll use for the finished product. W-317 requires particular attention to pre-wash due to its heavier weight and Lycra content.

ProECO ReInspire Recycled Cotton Specifications

The ProECO ReInspire family spans three construction types and five variants. Key differences include weight class (175–430 GSM), stretch behavior (minimal to 35%), and flammability classification.

Variant	Construction	Weight	Thick	Fiber	Stretch (W×L)	Shrinkage	Flamm.
W-314	Jersey (V1)	175 GSM	0.022"	50/50	10% × 10%	5% × 5%	Class 1
W-400	Jersey (V2)	190–245 GSM	0.022"	60/40	Min × Min	Min × Min	—
W-308	Fleece	280 GSM	0.037"	50/50	10% × 5%	5% × 5%	Class 2/3
W-315	Rib	175 GSM	0.029"	50/50	10% × 5%	5% × 5%	Class 1
W-317	Stretch-FIT Rib	430 GSM	0.029"	95/5 Lycra	35% × 10%	5–8% × 5–8%	—

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.