Q. What is Cotton?
Cotton grows in a ball as soft and fluff fiber. The fiber is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable fabric since 6000 BC. Although cultivated since antiquity, it was the invention of the cotton engine (in 1793) that lowered the cost of production that led to its widespread use, and it is the most widely used natural fiber cloth in clothing today. Current estimates for world production are about 25 million tonnes.
Q. What is the benefit of using Cotton?
Not only natural fiber used as fabric, but also other parts of the cotton plant are put to good use and are used in the production of foods, plastics and in paper products, according to the National Cotton Council of America. Because cotton is a natural product, it has many advantages, such as its ability to control moisture, insulate, provide comfort and it is also hypoallergenic, weatherproof and is a durable fabric.
Moisture Control
Cotton fabric is breathable and transmits moisture away from the body and is absorbent and removes liquid from the skin, like a towel, according to Cotton Incorporated. 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
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.
Hypoallergenic
Cotton fabric rarely causes allergic reactions and wearing cotton is often recommended for those with skin allergies, notes Cotton Incorporated. 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
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
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.
Longevity
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. 100 % cotton lasts longer because cotton keeps its shape
Easy maintains
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.
Q. What is Thread Count?
Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch. Generally, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, and the more likely it will wear well. However, the tricky part of higher than 600 because if they’re woven together into multiple plies, then those are counted as well.
The ply is a measure of the number of layers. There are single ply varieties, and there are also brands that combine two or three strands into one single yarn. Depending on the thickness of the original threading, the feel of the finished product will vary. When it comes to quality, this where a brand can and will inflate their figures. If they weave two strands of yarn together into a two-ply construction, then in essence, they can double the count. Now imagine that they’re using three-ply thread. The supposed amount of threads would then triple.
As you can imagine, this isn’t necessarily an indicator of quality. In fact, many companies end up weaving multiple pieces together when the original source of the material isn’t strong enough to stand up on its own. They reinforce it by combining pieces of yarn. Therefore, while you should be looking for a range to indicate quality, higher doesn’t always mean better.
References
- Wikipedia
- livestrong.com -article : The advantages of cotton clothing
- thefabricofourlives.com - article : the benefits of cotton clothing
- wirecutter.com
- sleepadvisor.org -article : Thread count for sheets - Does it really matter?
