Cotton has been around for thousands of years and used by many different generations for a variety of different purposes. This light and comfortable fabric is a huge part of our daily wear and I’m pretty confident it will be found multiple times in your wardrobe. It’s the world’s most commonly used natural fibre, despite being in the game even with new trendy materials and artificial alternatives.
Cotton could be considered so popular because it’s comfortable, affordable, soft and durable. It’s such an easy fabric to wear. Because of this, you may be finding that you are wearing cotton a fair bit throughout your secondhand looks, so it’s important you know how to care for it.
Quality and versatility
Cotton is considered to be among the lightest and softest of fabrics that can be used to fashion a variety of garments – shirts, pants, dresses, tunics, saris, bed sheets, towels, and so much more. The material is absorbent, easy to dry, and retains colour well. Cotton is typically known for its light texture and can be great for comfortable daily wear, however, it can be made into different weights such as jersey, flannel, corduroy, twill, or denim.
Cotton is pretty durable when compared to other materials. You can wash cotton clothes repeatedly with less fear of wear and tear. Cotton is often combined with artificial materials like nylon or polyester to create better fabric alternatives.
Washing Organic Cotton
You may machine-wash your organic cotton garments at a normal wash cycle setting and at a low temperature (max. 30°C), or cold. Always make sure to use a gentle eco-friendly laundry detergent and avoid conventional softeners as well as bleach, as they can damage the fabric. To further protect your organic cotton garments, always wash them with similar colours and inside out.
Drying Organic Cotton
Avoid tumble-drying, as this can speed up the aging of your organic cotton garments, may cause shrinkage, and also uses a considerable amount of energy. Instead, hang-dry your organic cotton garments immediately after removing them from the washing machine, and gently shake and re-shape them while doing so.
In case of an emergency, you may tumble-dry your organic cotton garments using the air cycle (no heat). But always remember that hang drying your laundry is the most environmentally friendly and safest option.
Ironing Organic Cotton
Gently shaking out your organic cotton clothes while they are still damp is often enough to remove wrinkles naturally. You may also iron them at low to medium heat. Since organic cotton is not treated with harsh chemicals, it is often less resistant to heat than conventional cotton. Therefore, it’s a good idea to always start with the lowest heat setting and gradually adjust it as needed.
