Cotton today is the most used textile fiber in the world. Cotton fibers are natural hollow fibers; they are soft, cool, known as breathable fibers and absorbent.
Cotton is a soft, staple fiber that grows in a form known as a boll around the seeds of the cotton plant, a shrub which has been cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, India, and Africa. Cotton is a true commodity in the world markets. The fiber most often is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, cool, known as breathable fibers and absorbent, which is the most widely used natural-fiber cloth in clothing today.
Cotton fibers can hold water 24–27 times their own weight. They are strong, dye absorbent and can stand up against abrasion wear and high temperature. In one word, cotton is comfortable.
Cotton fibers are mainly made up of cellulose. The length of these fibers (also called staples) is the main determining factor in the quality of the cotton. In general, the longer the staple grows the higher the quality of the cotton. Staple lengths are divided into short, medium, and long (and extra long, in some cases):
Long staple cotton is considered to be finer quality because they can be spun into finer yarns and those finer yarns can be woven into softer, smoother, stronger, and more lustrous fabrics. Long staple cotton makes stronger yarns, especially in fine yarns, as there are fewer fibers in a given length of yarn and the longer fibers provide more points of contact between the fibers when they are twisted together in the spinning process.
The Advantages of Cotton Clothing
Moisture Control
- Moisture passes freely through cotton – aiding in evaporation and cooling
Don’t get caught in a sweat trap! Cotton breathes better than synthetic fabrics like polyester, so it’s the perfect thing to wear when you’re working out. Cotton fabric is breathable and transmits moisture away from the body and is absorbent and removes liquid from the skin. Cotton allows you to remain comfortable as you exercise, keeping moisture from building up between your skin and clothing. The International Forum for Cotton Promotion states that cotton can take up to one-fifth of its weight in water before feeling damp.
Insulation
- Good Heat Conductivity – Cotton allows heat to dissipate making it a wonderful fiber to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Cotton clothing protects against from heat in the summer and cold in the winter by providing thermal insulation as the cotton fabric traps air between the fabric fibers. The cotton fibers in clothing hold the fabric away from the skin, further allowing for more air to be trapped between the skin and fabric which helps with insulation and comfort. Cotton is NOT clingy! Static cling can be blamed for many an embarrassing fabric fail, but cotton is never the culprit because it can’t hold an electric charge. So if you want cling-free clothes, stick with cotton.
Hypoallergenic (rarely causes allergic reactions)
- Comfortable – there are no surface characteristics of cotton that make it irritating to human skin. Cotton feels good against skin; it has a soft hand.
Cotton fabric rarely causes allergic reactions and wearing cotton is often recommended for those with skin allergies. Because cotton is hypoallergenic and does not irritate skin, it is used in medical products like bandages and gauze, and is the fabric of choice when it comes to baby clothing.
Weatherproof
- Hydrophilic – cotton has a natural affinity for water – it attracts moisture away from your body.
Cotton fabrics can easily be manufactured into weather-resistant garments through construction and finishing of the fabric. For example, cotton can be made into a tight, dense fabric with a weather-repellent finish to make weather resistant clothing, yet the cotton fabric retains its comfort and breathability.
Comfort
Cotton clothing is soft and easily stretches, making it a comfortable fabric to wear. Due to its softness and comfort, it is often used in underwear and undershirts, according to the International Forum for Cotton Promotion.
Durability
- Strong and abrasion resistance
Cotton has a high tensile strength, making it strong, durable and less likely to rip or tear. It is 30 percent stronger when wet, withstanding many washings in hot water.
Low Maintenance
When you’re cooking dinner, working out or sitting around the campfire, your clothes are bound to soak in different odors. With cotton, you don’t have to worry. It releases stinky substances more easily than other fabrics once it’s in the washing machine. Cotton is easier to wash and care for than other fabrics, so let your washing machine do your dirty work and enjoy the money you’ll save on dry cleaning.
Stay in Shape
There is such a thing as too much stretch. The more spandex you add to a garment, the higher your chances of sagging, bagging and stretching out. Keep your clothes from getting bent out of shape by looking for less than 5% spandex on the label.