Cotton is a soft, breathable, natural material that is made from processing cotton plant fibres.
Cotton is a naturally grown fibre harvested from the cotton plant. Cotton is one of the longest used fibres that people have actually grown specifically for cloth. You can find evidence that it was being grown and made more than 7,000 years ago in many archaeological digs.
Today, thousands of acres of land all over the world are used to grow cotton plants so that they can be made into cotton material. It also produces a pretty flower and is in the same family as hollyhocks and hibiscus. It has soft, fluffy white fibres that are spun into cloth easily.
Cotton plants have to have all the seeds removed before they can be spun into cloth and this was very time consuming until the cotton gin was invented to do the job. After it is made into thread, it can be knitted, woven and dyed into many colours of cloth.
Cotton is somewhat flammable, so it is sometimes treated when being made into clothing so it won't catch on fire so easily. Sometimes cotton is mixed with other fibres such as linen to add strength and durability. It can also be used to make other material such as flannel, muslin, and corduroy. All of these are popular materials for clothing products.
Cotton clothing is preferred by many people over clothing made of synthetic fibres. This is due to the fact that it is hypo-allergenic and resistant to dust mites, and it has better air circulation, and keeps you cool and dry. It is also soft against the skin, which is helpful for people who have sensitive skin.
Cotton is very versatile and is used to make everything from undergarments to sweaters to sheets and curtains. Cotton is a very long lasting material and is the only fibre that is actually stronger when it gets wet. It can be sterilised of germs, so is popular in hospitals for linens and gowns.
Cotton is biodegradable, so is great for the green environment conscious customer and since it comes from plants, it is a renewable resource as well. In the case of organic cotton, no pesticides are used to make it so it is an even better choice for protecting our environment.
Cotton is also inexpensive, and easy to clean. It is considered a wash and wear product.
