Cotton fabric is extremely versatile, proven by its many uses throughout daily life. It’s common to see cotton used in clothing, bedding, packaging and so much more. Today we will be focusing on the history, characteristics and care of cotton fabric, particularly in its upholstery fabric form.
The History of Cotton Fabric
Cotton
cultivation is thought to have occurred as early as 12,000 B.C in the ancient
civilizations of Egypt, India, and China. Until recently, it was believed that
cotton was transported to the Americans by early explorers. However, reliable
data has indicated its widespread roots, proving that cotton was indigenous to
North and South America, as well as Asia and Africa.
The invention
of the cotton gin during the industrial revolution allowed cotton to become the
versatile and affordable commodity that it is today. While cotton’s global
textile market share has fallen far from its 55% share in the 1970s, it remains
the second most popular fiber type in the world, accounting for about 22% of
fiber production.
Cotton As a Fabric
Before becoming its final form as a fabric, cotton must be grown and harvested. Cotton is a seed hair fiber derived from the cotton plant. The fibers are separated from the seeds using a cotton gin, and then cleaned to remove impurities. These fibers are then spun into yarns before undergoing one of many different methods of creating fabric from cotton.
In addition to being found hanging in your closet and on your bedding, cotton is commonly found in rugs, draperies, and upholstered furnishings such as chairs, ottomans and sofas. With cotton upholstery fabric, there are several ways in which it can be constructed, from a plain weave to a velvet. There are also many ways of finishing or polishing cotton upholstery, like the watermark effect created from a moiré or the
lustrous appearance of a chintz cotton finish.
Natural Cotton Fabrics
Cotton interiors are often seen in their natural white or tan shades. With natural cotton pieces, we don’t have to worry about the potential bleeding or fading of dyes. We must, however, consider the risks of cellulosic browning. Cotton’s high absorbency makes it crucial to use quick drying methods after wet cleaning to avoid these types of issues. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to yellowing and gradual degradation of natural cotton fibers and fabrics.
Cotton Blends
Something we see in furnishings quite often is cotton blended with other fibers. Depending on the blended fiber, it can completely reshape how you must care for a piece.
As a rule of thumb, the more problematic fiber in the blend will dictate how the fabric performs. For example, a blend of 75% cotton fabric and 25% rayon fabric will exhibit the negative aspects of rayon. Be sure to read the label before buying to know exactly what your furnishings contain.
Cotton Velvets
As is the case with most fiber types, cotton can be used to create velvet upholstery. Velvet constructions often warrant extra care due to the potential for crushing of the velvet pile. Fortunately, cotton is among the most favorable fiber types on velvet, as most can be wet cleaned. Still, proper testing and brushing is necessary when wet-cleaning cotton velvet.
Dyed Cotton Fabrics
Cotton
fabrics are often bleached and then dyed to the desired color. Not only does
this add versatility to the fabric, but also largely removes the risk of
cellulosic browning, as much of the lignin that causes browning is removed in
the dying process. However, these dyes can bleed, especially from high pH
cleaners. They are also relatively prone to color loss from wet cleaning and
exposure to sunlight.
Cotton Fabric Finishes
Along with velvet, dyed, and natural cotton, there are a number of other finishing methods that are used. Polished finishes, such as chintz or moiré are used to give cotton a “pop of luxury”, as stated by Schumacher. While these finished can certainly create elegant aesthetics, they will typically fade with routine use and cleaning. Other cotton upholstery finishes include calendered, mercerized, and embossed cotton fabric.
Caring for Cotton
Cotton belongs to the natural cellulosic family of fibers, which includes linen, sisal, and jute. Unless blended with another fiber such as linen or rayon, cotton fabrics typically do not exhibit much luster. Certain polished cotton finishes, such as chintz, can give more luster and color to cotton furnishings.
Cotton as a fabric is not only extremely versatile when it comes to interior furnishings, but also relatively easy to care for. It is an inherently durable fabric and can be wet cleaned when done properly. In fact, cotton is actually stronger when wet and tolerates alkalies well, meaning it can be effectively cleaned using wet-cleaning methods. That said, natural cellulosic fibers such as cotton are water-loving and slow drying fibers, making quick drying measures important after wet-cleaning.
As is true with all upholstery, flipping and rotating cushions, damp dusting, vacuuming, timely cleanings, and a quality fabric protector can extend the “like new” status of cotton fabrics.
Weaknesses of Cotton Fabric
Cotton fabric is easily damaged by acids, meaning an acidic spill can be very difficult to correct. Similar to its natural cellulosic counterparts, cotton lacks resiliency, meaning if its fibers become crushed, they will not easily bounce back to their original form. This is not a huge issue in woven cotton fabrics but can become a real problem when cotton is used in pile fabrics and floor coverings.
In most cases, cotton furnishings should be limited to indoor use only. Its water-loving properties and plant-based nature make it a highly desirable target for mold and mildew to grow and thrive. This is an incredibly difficult issue to correct once set into the fabric
Don’t let the weaknesses prevent you from having cotton furnishings in your home! Fabric protection services and professional cleaning services can help you avoid and solve these problems.
Cotton Fabric Fun Facts
Cotton gins
are still used to this day to separate the seeds out of the cotton. The “gin”
in cotton gin is short for “engine.” Since the original invention by Eli
Whitney in 1793, there have been many improvements for maximum efficiency.
American
currency is made from 75% cotton and 25% linen.
Almost all cotton
produced by the United States is genetically modified be resistant to pests.
Annually,
more than 50 million tons of cotton seed are produced. Less than 1% of it all
is used to plant more cotton. The rest feeds livestock, either as raw seeds or
seeds or crushed to extract the oil according to the International Cotton Advisory
Committee.
