Cotton explained: What it is and how to care for this fabric!
Cotton is a fabric we’ve all come across in our daily life. It’s durable and versatile, but also can become a laundry challenge, especially when there is the possibility your garment may shrink. Find out more about caring for cotton and cotton blend material.
What is cotton?
Cotton is a natural fibre that comes from the soft fibres that grow around the seeds of the cotton plant. It’s the world’s most used fibre, and popular for being soft, comfortable and cool. Cotton fabric also has excellent absorbing abilities, making it very comfortable to wear in the summer, since the fibres absorb and release perspiration, allowing the fabric to breathe. Plus cotton fabric types are a durable, since they can withstand high temperatures and wear well. Cotton is a versatile textile with a variety of uses. However, cotton can be combined with other fibres like elastane to give it an extra stretch. Also, it’s important to remember that the answer to the question does cotton shrink is yes, unless the fabric has been pre-shrunk or processed.
What clothes are made from cotton fibres?
Due to cotton’s versatile nature, you’ll find a wide selection of garments made out of cotton, from regular everyday clothes to bed sheets. It’s a popular choice for summer clothes, due to the fabric’s ability to breathe. Cotton is easy to wash and care for since most cotton items are machine washable and dryable.
How to wash cotton fabrics?
- If you’re washing bright or dark cotton items, you may want to use a lower temperature wash at 30 degrees to help avoid colour fading and dye transfer.
- Always consult the fabric care label before washing, since it will be different for each cotton blend material.
How to dry cotton fabrics?
- You can dry most cotton items in the tumble dryer on a warm temperature setting.
- Check the garment’s care label to make sure you don’t shrink the garment.
How to iron and store cotton fabrics?
Cotton creases easily unless it’s blended with other fabric types, and it can get crumpled during the laundry process. Check the care label for specific instructions before ironing. You’ll see best results if you iron the item while it’s slightly damp, or use an iron with steam. Turn the garment inside out before ironing. You can also spray with starch if you want that crisp feeling. When it comes to storing cotton garments, store in a cool, dry place. Since cotton tends to wrinkle, store your cotton items by hanging the garment if possible.
Caring tips for your cotton fabrics
- When using bleach to remove stains from cotton, be careful to avoid using more than the recommended amount as this may damage the fibres, and in the case of materials with a finish, avoid bleach altogether.
- Fill the machine with cold water and use a gentle wash cycle to protect the colours more.
- Since cotton wrinkles and shrinks easily, cotton garments tend to be blended with other fabrics. As you can get a lot of different cotton fabric types, always consult your garment’s fabric care label before washing.
- Cotton can shrink when washed and dried, even though it’s durable, so you’ll want to wash your cotton garments with minimal agitation.
Each fabric has its own distinct personality, and when it comes to doing the laundry, each fabric and tough stain comes with its own challenges. Ariel can help your see outstanding results in the 1st wash with all kinds of fabrics, from wool to cashmere.