What Is Cotton?
Cotton is a staple fiber, which means it is composed of different, varying lengths of fibers. Cotton is made from the natural fibers of cotton plants, which are from the genus Gossypium.
Cotton is primarily composed of cellulose, an insoluble organic compound crucial to plant structure, and is a soft and fluffy material. The cotton plant needs lots of sun, a long period without frost, and a good amount of rain.
The term “cotton” refers to the part of the cotton plant that grows in the boll—the encasing for the fluffy cotton fibers. Cotton is spun into yarn that is then woven to create a soft, durable fabric.
Benefit:
Cotton is a breathable fabric that allows the skin to breathe which reduces and eliminates the possibility of rashes, including heat rashes from appearing on the skin of a person wearing cotton clothing. Another reason cotton is considered hypoallergenic is that it is dust mite resistant.
Breathability:
Natural fabrics including cotton allow for better air circulation, which helps remove and absorb body moisture. In hot and sweaty seasons this means that cotton draws heat away from the skin and keeps the body cool and dry, but in colder temperatures it can actually provide insulation, keeping the cold and wet out. These attributes make cotton clothing good for layering and appropriate for all seasons.
Shrinkage:
During the dyeing and printing processes, the yarn and then the fabric is repeatedly washed. This helps to ensure full dye penetration, removes any residual surface dye and also reduces shrinkage in the final tailored product. Depending on how you care for the product, additional shrinkage ranges from 5-7% for printed fabrics and 7-10% for woven products.
Laundering:
Please refer to the specific care instructions on the garment. Because cotton is so strong when wet, caring for cotton is very simple and the more you wash it, the softer and more absorbent it becomes. The following tips will help you extend the life of the product.
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Machine wash cold on gentle cycle.
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Wash items with like colours and turn your clothes inside out, especially dark colours.
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Some colours may require to be washed separately the first few times.
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Keep your zippers and hooks closed to avoid snagging other items in the wash.
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Tumble dry low heat. Remove items promptly from dryer, preferably when still damp.
Ironing:
Press with a warm to hot iron while damp. If the item has dried, use a spray bottle to dampen the fabric.
