COTTONFABRIC
JILLIAN SZACHURY
Figure 1: An example of this material being used in a space to bring in bright, vibrant colors into a space.
Cotton Fabric is a well known textile that consists of a lot of incredible characteristics, which allows this material to stand out from other fabrics. This textile is chemically organic, which means that it does not contain any sort of synthetic compounds, unlike other fabrics -- such as rayon. While cotton is more durable than silk, it is less durable than wool, where this fabric is relatively prone to pilling, rips, and tears. Nonetheless, cotton still remains to be one of the most popular and highly produced fabrics in the world. Not only is cotton fabric popular because of its comfort and inexpensive cost, it also is incredibly versatile, where we see this being used in a variety of ways and for different purposes too. We oftentimes see this material being used for clothing, bed linens, upholstery, and for accents, such as throw pillows and window treatments.
The production of cotton has evolved overtime, but the process of its production remains the same. To make cotton fabric, producers must first separate the cotton seed from the boll. Once cotton has been cleaned where it consists of pure cotton fibers without any seeds, it is transferred to a textile production facility, where here the raw cotton is carded -- the process of forming cotton fibers into long strands. Next, these strands are spun to create yarn. At this stage, the basic material used in cotton fabrics is complete, where the yarn is then used to create fabrics out of this material.
They say that if you are looking for a fabric to use in a space that is easy to maintain, cotton is one of the biggest recommendations to use, for the reason being that its maintenance requirements are very simple. Use a mild detergent when washing bedding, clothing, and other cotton fabric items. Avoid using bleach. It is recommended to set the washer on a gentle cycle, and use cold water. For furniture items made of cotton fabrics, stains may appear overtime, but they are quite simple to remove. Some different scenarios are listed below that also include the steps to get your cotton fabrics back to its original state:
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For oily/greasy stains: Combine water and distilled white vinegar and apply by spraying directly onto the stain.
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For blood stains: Always use cold water and do not apply any heat until the stain is completely gone. Apply cold water and scrub the stain with natural soap. You may need to repeat several times.
Cotton fabric is also well known for its indoor air quality, where this material has incredible breathability. For a room in which people sit for long periods of time – a family room, for example – the breathability factor will enhance the comfort of the furniture, which is why cotton is so popularly used in this sort of space. Cotton is also a great choice for breathable seat cushions for occasional chairs or, with fabric protection, for dinette chair covers.
Figure 2: Cotton is often times used for drapery.
Figure 3: Cotton is most commonly used in family room spaces due to the fact that it is breathable, and durable too.
Some testings that ATSM participates in for cotton fabric are listed below. These tests are completed in order to meet specific standards, and can be distributed and sold all around the world.
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D1440 Test Method for Length and Length Distribution of Cotton Fibers
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D1442 Test Method for Maturity of Cotton Fibers
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D1445 Test Method for Breaking Strength and Elongation of Cotton Fibers
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D2480 Test Method for Maturity Index and Linear Density of Cotton Fibers by the Causticaire Method
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D1464 Practice for Differential Dyeing Behavior of Cotton
Overall, cotton is a very environmentally friendly material. It is sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable, making it an excellent choice as an environmentally-friendly fiber throughout its entire product life cycle. Because this material is biodegradable, cotton does not fill up waterways or contribute to other forms of pollution. However, although this material is a natural fiber that has a lot of environmental impacts, there are also are some negative impacts cotton can have during the production process of this material. The practices that manufacturers use to make cotton may be harmful to the environment. Cotton cultivation requires a huge amount of water, and producing this textile may also involve land repurposing. Since most cotton producers focus on cultivating the largest amount of fiber possible at the lowest cost, they don’t properly care for the land they use for cultivation. As a result, cotton cultivation frequently depletes the soil in the areas where it is grown.
Choosing fabrics to utilize in interior spaces is a very crucial part of the designing process, and one fabric that never disappoints is cotton. This natural fiber has the power to bring a beautiful touch to a space, which is why this material is so popularly used. It is also incredibly versatile, not only because cotton can be used in a variety of ways, but also because it can be achieve any style a client may be going for. The fabric is usually associated with a casual, traditional look, but cotton looks good even in modern and formal settings as well.
Figure 4: Cotton fabric can also be seen in solid colors, and is still able to make a statement, and bring accents into a room.
Aside from ATSM, there are also numerous other organizations that focus their research and time on testing cotton fabric as well. Some examples of these organizations are listed below:
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Cotton Incorporated
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The National Cotton Council of Textile Organizations (NTCO)
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The Better Cotton Initiative
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International Cotton Advisory Committee
Figure 5: Neutral and natural colors combined in a cotton fabric to give off an elegant look in a space.