For thousands of years, the unique properties of cotton have been known to mankind. Once upon a time, people learned to make fabric from this plant and sew clothes from it. They cultivate it even now, and on a huge industrial scale. Despite the large number of varieties of modern artificial fabrics, natural cotton products are incomparable in quality with any of them. And still, it is not for nothing that cotton is called "white gold"!
Cotton is the king among fabric raw materials
This is an annual plant that "lives" in Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Transcaucasia and other regions. In small boxes above the cotton seeds there are delicate "clouds" of natural plant cellulose fiber. They are the ones that represent the main value. Depending on the length of the fibers, cotton is distinguished between long-fiber, medium-fiber and short-fiber. To the touch, a cotton ball is very soft, warm, dry and slightly rough. Cotton fabrics vary in thickness (thick, medium, thin) and the location of the pile (one-sided and two-sided hairiness). This “affectionate” material has been familiar to everyone since childhood, since it is from it that clothes for babies are sewn. Even for newborns, the natural properties of cotton fabrics are perfect. Unfortunately, at present, materials from 100% natural “white gold” can be found less and less, and their cost is growing more and more. But in mass production mixed versions are made containing a different percentage of cotton threads. Visually distinguishing these tissues from each other is quite difficult, but when you touch the body, the sensations from natural and semi-natural material are completely different.
Composition and properties of cotton
Cotton is the most important raw material in the textile industry. It contains 90% of pure pulp. The thickness of the villi filaments ranges from 0.01 to 0.04 mm. They are arranged one above the other in a spiral, and in the process of spinning, twisting one into the other, cause excellent adhesion. Clothing made from natural cotton fabrics has excellent hygroscopic and “breathable” properties, thanks to which it absorbs sweat perfectly, does not stick to the body and creates an optimal microclimate. All things made of cotton are highly hygienic, they are very comfortable to wear, do not cause allergic reactions and skin irritations, so they are suitable for absolutely everyone. In the presence of skin diseases, doctors recommend wearing only cotton clothing, because it has a therapeutic effect, providing the skin with breathing.
Physico-chemical properties of cotton
Cotton cannot be dissolved in alkali, phenol and acetone, but hydrochloric and sulfuric acids can destroy it. It withstands high temperatures, has high resistance to tearing and abrasion, which makes it possible to repeatedly wash in hot water using detergents and prolonged wear of items from natural cotton fabrics. In addition, the properties of cotton contribute to the absorption of up to 20% moisture from its own weight, leaving a feeling of dryness.