Benefits of Cotton
We always make reference to the benefits of cotton, but have you ever seen a list? Researched by Cotton Council International, with information gathered from Cotton Australia and Cotton Incorporated, we're building that list.
Read the benefits that others have posted, and don't forget to add your own at the bottom. Welcome to Cottonblog, and our first interactive feature on the Cotton Promotion Bulletin.
- Cotton is hypoallergenic meaning it doesn't irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. It is also good for asthmatics.
- Cotton is very soft, which is why it is particularly favored for underwear and garments that get close to the skin. The ends of cotton fibers are spun very tightly into the yarn so that the fabric doesn't irritate skin or cause static electricity.
- Cotton is long lasting if well looked after.
- Cotton can be easily blended with other fibers such as synthetics like polyester or lycra.
- Cotton can be given a coating or a finish; so it can be used in products like heat-resistant fire fighting uniforms.
- Cotton can be easily dyed various colors because of its highly absorbent property.
- Cotton is a good conductor of heat. In other words, it draws heat away from your skin to keep you cool, making it comfortable to wear.
- Cotton breathes, so it is cool to wear.
- Cotton absorbs moisture easily and can take up to one fifth of its weight in water before it actually feels damp. Cotton absorbs body moisture and evaporates it to the surrounding air, thus allowing your body its natural tendency to breathe - keeping you cool in summer and dry and warm in winter. Not only are you more comfortable in cotton, you are healthier wearing it!
- Cotton tends not to be affected by sunlight so it can be used for curtains, tents and tarpaulins that receive lots of exposure to the sun.
- Cotton does not contain any chemicals and therefore is a natural product.
- Unlike synthetics, cotton has superior absorbency and a naturally textured surface that makes it an effective cleanser. Because the fiber can withstand high temperatures, it can be sterilized. In addition, cotton personal care products are "finish free." Synthetics are often chemically treated to make the fiber suitable for processing. Individuals with hypersensitive skin, prone to allergic reactions, may prefer to stick with beauty aids made from natural fibers.
- Man-made fabrics don't provide the same ventilation that natural fibers do. Because fungi flourish in dark, moist environments, constrictive, synthetic garments can create an ideal habitat for yeast to multiply. All-cotton underpants permit air to circulate below the waist. Due to its unique fiber structure, cotton breathes and helps remove body moisture by absorbing it and wicking it away from the skin.
- Cotton combines many qualities that add up to dependable performance. Cotton is strong and durable, with a high tensile strength. As an ideal fabric to launder, cotton is 30% stronger when wet, will withstand repeated washings in the hottest water and is free of static electricity which causes fabrics to cling and soil easily. Cotton fibers also accept the fastest dyes, providing you with vibrant, colorfast yarns.
- Cotton is a renewable resource, and it's also biodegradable.
- Increasing the cotton fiber content in blended fabrics containing polyester will reduce pilling, due to cotton's absorbency, which reduces static.
- Cotton is smooth and soft, but durable and strong.
- Cotton has individuality & character. Each fiber grows a little differently--with sunshine & soil--and takes on characteristics that indicate its life & style... just like the people who wear it.
- Cotton is very versatile. Combining it with different yarns gives it many variations; making it useful for many things like underwear, a sweater, a blouse, curtains, etc..
- Cotton fiber has soft natural tips from where it is harvested from the seed boll giving a smooth sensual hand, unlike consistent length synthetics that have circular cut edges from being chopped to specific fiber length.
- Cotton can be worn casually or for a more formal look. It is comfortable for any occasion. Cotton rocks!!
- Cotton bedsheets are cool and crisp, warm in winter, and cool in the summertime.
- Cotton is great for everyday wear. It can be cleaned easily and is incredibly comfortable. Cotton looks good and it is simply wash and wear.
- Cotton is never itchy. It's what you want on your skin.
- One word: COMFORTABLE.
- Cotton works in any weather!
- Cotton is a wearable ancient fiber whose use dates back nearly 5,000 years. It has great benefits such as good strength, good abrasion resistance, absorbs moisture quickly and dries quickly . . .it is the perfect fiber for any season!
- Cotton is a valuable crop because only about 10% of the raw weight is lost in processing. Once traces of wax, protein, etc. are removed, the remainder is a natural polymer of pure cellulose. This cellulose is arranged in a way that gives cotton unique properties of strength, durability, and absorbency. Each fibre is made up of twenty to thirty layers of cellulose coiled in a neat series of natural springs. When the cotton boll (seed case) is opened the fibres dry into flat, twisted, ribbon-like shapes and become kinked together and interlocked. This interlocked form is ideal for spinning into a fine yarn.
- Cotton has got a very long history. The fibre has been used by humans in ages we hardly can imagine. It has been our friend since thousands of years.
- Cotton helps make hot, humid weather more bearable, especially when exercising outdoors. If it's not made of cotton, it won't go on a bike ride or a run with me!
- From a fashion Design stand point cotton is a great material to work with!
- Cotton makes children less cranky when sweaty (unlike synthetic fibers) . Those tags on the inside of shirts are NEVER made from cotton, and think how many people have a sensory response to them.
Cotton is hip. - Baby boys benefit from cotton diapers — The Kiel study (www.archdischild.com) found that excess heat in the groin area of boy babies wearing disposable diapers may be a cause of the reduced sperm count among males in recent years... at least 25% worldwide.
- Raw Cotton is edible — if you like it. No harmful substances inside. Precisely tested regularly every year.
- After reading all of these comments, tips, bits of information, history and tests done on cotton I have now become more interested in it and its benefits, not only for my personal use but for everyone else's use as well. When I hopefully have my own line of clothing, cotton will definitely be in it for the obvious reasons listed above.
- For people with seborrheic dermatitis (an excessively dry skin condition), dermatologists always recommend wearing 100% cotton clothes for maximum comfort and minimum skin irritation.
- Is raw cotton really edible?
- cotton works in all sorts of fabrics, like denim and ultra-sheer tees.
- Natural fibers are my absolute favorite to wear. I love cotton and silk for their versatility. Cotton is the most comfortable fiber to wear, there is no replacement.
- Cotton employes millions of people all over the world, far more than any other fibre natural or man made.
- One of the benefits of cotton is that it is not polyester, and does not have to be called 'polyester'. The word 'polyester' in most cases does not sound appealing to the customer. We manufacture with both fibers, and the fabrics containing polyester always have to be explained and rationalized.
- Cotton was placed on my body the minute I was born. It provided work for my parents & I grew up on a cotton mill village. I started my own knitting company using natural cotton yarn at age 42. At 62 I'm still depending on cotton.
- All my favourite and most long-lasting clothes and textile products (bed linen, towels, sofas, cushions) are made of cotton. Make it an even more natural product and support organic production!
- If you try to live in tune with nature, there is mainly cotton.
- Cotton has freed our skins from the rough stiffness of flax and linen, soothed them after being scratched by wool, and absorbed the sweat of hardworking bodies. Even nowadays, these outstanding qualities make cotton the most widely used natural fiber in the world (Ch. Brunel:The T-Shirt Book. New York 2002)
- Cellulose is an outstanding insulator. It enables cotton to provide warmth in the winter, and coolness in the summer.
- Cotton is soft to the touch and comfortable to wear.
- This list includes a statement that cotton is a good conductor of heat (6 from the top) and that it is is an outstanding insulator (second from the bottom). I don't think it can be both.
- Point noted.
- cotton is easy to wear and it feels light
- It's hard to find all cotton sheets but its wonderful when you can.
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