Cotton has been cultivated for more than 5000 years. The quality of cotton fiber is based on its colour(degree of whiteness), length(staple), fineness and strength. Used the world over, cotton is prized for being light-weight, soft and economical.
ABSORBENT
Due to the size and distribution of the pores, or capillaries, between and within cotton fibers, cotton is highly absorbent. It has a great ability to remove moisture from the skin like a towel. Quite important in extreme climatic conditions. It also holds much more water than synthetic fibers do. Cotton’s absorbent quality also makes it suitable to dying the yarn and/or fabric to any color or shade to 100% perfection.
BREATHABLE
The moisture produced by our bodies evaporates and cools us. Cotton fabric has a great ability to transmit water vapor away from the body since its microporous structure provides many routes for the water vapor to escape. Therefore we can stay comfortable in cotton clothing for longer times since there’s less accumulation of moisture in the microclimate between skin and fabric.
TEXTURED
Cotton fibers are naturally convoluted, or bulked. This helps to trap air within the fabric structure. The air contained between fibers and within them gives thermal insulation: protection from heat in summer and cold in winter. These convolutions plus the tapered fiber ends also hold the fabric away from the skin, adding to the amount of air trapped offering greater comfort. This makes cotton the ideal fabric for all seasons.
STATIC-FREE
Cotton's freedom from static charge is well-known and taken advantage of. It offers freedom from static cling and provides protection against the possibility of a spark – quite critical in some work uses, where a spark could even endanger the life. This property is largely due to the moisture holding property of cotton. Even in low humidity surroundings, cotton clothing derives enough moisture from the wearer to prevent static build-up.
HYPOALLERGENIC
This means a low tendency to cause allergic reactions. This quality makes cotton most suitable fabric for human skin.
UV-PROTECTION
Brightening agents in white cotton fabric & dyestuffs in color cotton fabric augment the UV-protection quality in cotton fabric providing sun protection to skin. Cotton fabric is second best fabric for UV protection, next only to Linen fabric.
DRAPABILITY
Cotton fabric has a natural fall. Cotton’s drapability coupled with excellent dying capacity to any color shade to perfection makes it most favoured fabric by Fashion Designers.
FLAME RESISTANT
Flame resistant-Man made fabrics like Nylon, Polyesters are mostly derived from Petrochemical base making them fire-prone. Cotton in comparison is less prone to fire. Cotton’s flame resistance can be further improved by different processes.
