Cotton has been the main material for the manufacture of high-quality clothing for many thousands of years in a row. Judging by archaeological finds, our ancestors first began extracting cotton 7,000 years ago. It is obtained from plants of the cotton genus (Gossypium) – they are grown on plantations in warm countries such as the USA, India, China, Pakistan and Brazil. When the plants grow, they open “bolls” of cotton, which are collected by hand or using machines. After cleaning, the crops are sent to spinning mills, where they are spun into threads of varying thicknesses. And only then, after dyeing and so on, clothes are sewn from them. Many people always try to buy clothes made from cotton because they are the most pleasant to wear on a daily basis. But the stores are full of synthetic clothing, which, although it has its advantages, can cause irritation. How to distinguish one from the other?
Cotton clothes are short-lived, but are still valued higher than synthetics. Source: blackpantera.ru
Contents
- 1 Pros and cons of cotton
- 1.1 Why is it better to buy cotton clothes
- 1.2 Disadvantages of cotton
- 2 Pros and cons of synthetics
- 2.1 Pros of synthetic clothing
- 2.2 Why synthetic clothing is bad
- 3 How to distinguish cotton from synthetics
- 3.1 How cotton and synthetics feel
- 3.2 Appearance of cotton and synthetics
- 3.3 Drying time of cotton and synthetics
- 3.4 Burning of cotton and synthetics
- 3.5 Shrinkage of cotton and synthetic clothing
Pros and cons of cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular materials for making fabrics. Cotton clothes are always more expensive and in demand, but they have both pros and cons.
Why is it better to buy cotton clothes
First of all, cotton is valued because it is a natural material that is safe for health and does not harm nature after being thrown away. While synthetics are a source of microplastics, cotton in landfills is treated with microbes and simply rots over time. Cotton clothes do not cause skin irritation or allergies in people.
High-quality cotton fabric looks something like this. Source: zonelenviro.com
Cotton clothing can be worn every day, it is soft and pleasant to the skin. If you wear it in hot weather, you can feel better – cotton fabric is highly breathable. And in cold weather, cotton clothing helps keep you warm.
In general, cotton clothes are good in any weather.
Disadvantages of cotton
Cotton clothes are often more expensive than synthetic ones. And at the same time, they wear out much faster, they need to be ironed regularly to look neat. Also, cotton clothes can shrink after washing, so before sending them to the washing machine, be sure to read the information on the label. And cotton absorbs moisture strongly, which is why it takes longer to dry.
Cotton clothing is not as durable as synthetic clothing. Source: thevoicemag.ru
Read also: How does genuine leather clothing harm the environment and what can replace it?
Pros and cons of synthetics
Synthetic materials include polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Many people don't like synthetic clothing, but it's not necessarily that bad – it has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Synthetic Clothing
Manufacturers of synthetic clothing can give it a variety of properties by combining materials. In general, synthetic T-shirts, dresses, and so on last longer and are also easy to care for.
Synthetic fabrics are brighter and less likely to tear. Source: ndtv.com
Synthetic fibers are very durable, so clothes made of polyester and similar materials can be worn longer than cotton. Synthetics absorb less moisture, so they dry faster. They also wrinkle less, and sometimes have antibacterial properties. Because of all these benefits, sportswear is usually made of synthetics.
Why synthetic clothes are bad
Synthetic clothing is durable, but it is hard to wear every day – it is not as pleasant for the body as cotton. First of all, this is due to the fact that synthetic fibers do not allow air to pass through well, and clothes made from them cannot be worn in hot weather. And in frosty weather, clothes made from synthetics do not retain heat well, and it is easy to freeze in them.
Synthetic clothing has a significant advantage – it is easier to care for. Source: terryjartextile.com
Some people are allergic to synthetics, which causes the skin to turn red when wearing clothes. Clothes made from unnatural materials accumulate static electricity, and when washed, they release a huge amount of microplastic – our clothes can be partly to blame for the pollution of nature.
You will be interested in:The most unusual types of allergies – just look at what people sometimes suffer from
How to distinguish cotton from synthetics
Usually, information about the material is always written on the tag. If you need clothes for every day, it is best if it is 100% cotton. But sometimes the tags are blatantly lying, and you have to evaluate the quality of the clothes manually.
Sometimes the tags on clothes blatantly lie to us. Source: tkaner.com
You can distinguish cotton from synthetics in five different ways.
How cotton and synthetics feel
You can tell that clothes are made of cotton by touching them – they are soft and warm, while synthetics rougher and colder. Well, real cotton does not give an electric shock, while synthetics electrify well.
Appearance of cotton and synthetics
Cotton clothes are dull and matte, while synthetics look brighter and shinier. Cotton fabric looks natural, its appearance is uneven and somewhat far from ideal. And synthetics look uniform and artificial, sometimes it is impossible to confuse one with the other. Cotton clothes can look wrinkled, while synthetics practically do not wrinkle.
Even silk can be imitated using synthetic fibers. Source: lace-place.ru
Drying time of cotton and synthetics
Cotton always absorbs a lot of moisture, but synthetic materials do not have this property. Moreover, some synthetics repel any liquid. So, if you have time, you can drop water on your clothes and check how quickly they dry. However, you won’t be able to pull off such a trick in a store.
Everyone should know about this: Why woolen clothes often cause itching
Burning of cotton and synthetics
You can also try to set fire to any thread sticking out of your clothes, but you need to follow safety rules. Cotton thread burns quickly, leaving ashes behind. And synthetic fibers melt and drip down faster.
Burning cotton and synthetics. Source: guru.wildberries.ru
Shrinkage of cotton and synthetic clothes
You can make sure that the clothes are made of cotton over time. After washing, they may become a little smaller – this is a sign that the material is natural. But clothes made of synthetics retain their size and shape better. In this regard, synthetics are definitely better than cotton.
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