Cotton fabric has been around for hundreds of years due to its texture and breathability. But there are drawbacks to using pure cotton fabrics that can be overcome by mixing them with polyester. Polyester fabric alone is not the most popular fabric due to its synthetic feel and tendency to look cheap. When you mix it with cotton, you get the best of both fabrics and create a very durable fabric that can be worn.
While cotton has been made for hundreds of years, polyester has only been around since the early 1950s. It was discovered by Wallace Carothers and his team of research scientists while working for DuPont in the 1930s. DuPont wanted Carothers to develop man-made materials and decided that basic research was the way forward. When Carothers’ team discovered a strong polymer that could be made into fiber, they decided to change the course of research and developed nylon. The development of polyester was put aside and was not developed. As I said in my last article, a group of British scientists working for Imperial Chemical Industries and following Carothers’ notes developed polyester and patented it.
Then, in 1945, DuPont bought the rights for the further development of polyester. By the end of the 1950s, polyester and cotton blends were available on the market. Due to its use as a stretch fabric, polycotton fabrics became a textile that could be used for clothing and bedding.
Polyester was combined with cotton fabrics to solve some of the problems that people would have when wearing 100% cotton. Cotton would wrinkle very easily due to the absorbent qualities of all natural fibers. The polyester was able to retain its shape and color and can be cleaned very easily due to the different types of treatments that were applied to the fabric during its manufacturing process.
Polyester and cotton blends are known for their durability. It can be put in the washing machine and will hold its shape better than pure cotton garments. Polycotton blends are known for their comfort when worn or used as sheets and pillowcases. The cotton will allow the fabric to breathe and maintain its soft feel while the polyester helps maintain the original structure.
Polycotton is used to make a wide variety of items, from upholstery, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters to sportswear and denim. Polycotton is primarily used in items that are expected to get a lot of wear. Sheets, sofa covers, tracksuits, t-shirts, and hoodies are often made from a polycotton blend because they are comfortable and durable.
Polycotton can be blended in varying amounts. The fiber listed first will be the dominant fiber. In a poly-cotton blend it would be 51% cotton and 49% polyester. A standard polycotton blend used in the manufacture of sheets, pillowcases, and blankets would be 65% polyester and 35% cotton for comfort and durability.
Let me offer advantages and disadvantages of using cotton or polyester alone:
Cotton is light and cool in hot weather. It is easy to clean and care. It is hypoallergenic and will not cause skin rashes. It is breathable and will keep you cool in very hot weather. The disadvantages are that when washing you have to wash with cold water and dry on low heat but do not leave it in the dryer for a long time. The cotton will have developed static when it is dried in a dryer. You will need to separate dark and light colors and wash separately and you will need to iron cotton fabrics with high heat and steam.
Polyester is a strong and durable fiber. When washed, it will easily hold its shape. Polyester will wick away moisture in very hot weather, but won’t breathe like cotton. It will keep you warm in cold weather. May not be the best for sensitive skin and should be used for heavy duty clothing and bedding. Polyester won’t need much ironing when washed, but if you must iron it, use low heat so you don’t melt the fiber. Remember that it is made from petroleum.
50/50 polycotton blends are highly durable and versatile. It will hold its shape longer than cotton alone and will hold its colors longer. It is soft and light to the touch and is less susceptible to shrinkage, wrinkling, and static. The polycotton blend is not as breathable as pure cotton and will keep you warmer than pure cotton. If you need to iron polycotton, use a low heat setting. Can be washed in warm water and dried on medium or low heat.
I hope this article will be useful to you when you go shopping and help you in your selection of clothing and bedding.