Mercerized cotton: what is it, differences from regular cotton

Benefits of fabric

Satin, like any cotton fabric, is hygroscopic - it perfectly absorbs moisture and dries quickly. This is an important characteristic for summer and home clothes and bed linen. Hygroscopicity ensures natural thermoregulation of the body.
The fabric allows air to pass through perfectly; in summer you won’t feel hot in a satin dress or shirt.
Cotton is a comfortable material for the skin and does not cause an allergic reaction.
The characteristics of satin fabric make it thin, light, and floaty, unlike cotton fabrics with plain weave threads.
Satin is stronger than regular cotton and does not shrink or stretch if properly cared for.
The dye holds well (bed linen does not lose brightness up to 250-300 washes at the recommended temperature).
The material practically does not wrinkle.

Waffle fabric

Waffle cloth is a universal wiping material. Today the range of fabrics is very diverse. The canvases differ from each other in various properties. The properties of the fabric are mainly influenced by two main factors:

Type of fibers from which the fabric is made;
Weaving method.

Based on the type of fiber, fabrics are divided into cotton, linen, wool, silk and synthetic. Waffle fabric is made from cotton fibers.

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Production of wafer fabric

Waffle fabric is made from bleached cotton. In production, a “waffle” weave of threads is used, which gives the same pattern on the surface of the fabric. Also, thanks to this weave, the waffle fabric is phenomenally hygroscopic.

By type of production, wafer fabric is divided into:

Harsh;
Bleached;
Plain painted;
Printed.

After primary production, the cotton thread produces a harsh waffle fabric. There are many impurities in this fabric, which is why it has a gray tint. The harsh fabric is hard to the touch and does not have sufficient hygroscopicity.

Then the impurities are removed from the raw linen and it is bleached. The result is a full-fledged bleached waffle sheet.

There are two ways of painting waffle fabric - plain-dyed fabric and printed fabric. Plain-dyed wafer fabric is obtained by painting with plain paint. Printed fabric is obtained by passing wafer fabric through rollers on which a pattern is applied.

Place of application

From waffle fabric you can make sets of towels for yourself or as a gift, sew comfortable home clothes and even make home decor. Natural material is safe for health.

Hygiene, pleasant texture, high moisture absorption - these are the main advantages of waffle fabric.

What kind of satin is there?

Depending on the density of the weave of the threads, there are several types of satin:

Simple satin is the cheapest option, a plain material with a density (number of threads per 1 square centimeter) of 85-130.
Printed - slightly denser than plain (up to 170 threads) and is distinguished by a pattern that is created by interlacing threads of different colors.
The pattern is applied to printed satin using color printing - this is a print, not a woven pattern. The face and back of this fabric are noticeably different. The density is higher than that of previous varieties due to a larger number of threads and an additional layer of paint on the surface.
Satin jacquard is a double-sided dense material (170-220 threads). The pattern is created during the fabric production process, the material can be colored or plain.
Mako-satin is a high-class fabric, pure cotton without synthetic additives.
Silk satin is the thinnest and most shiny type of satin; evening dresses and elegant clothes are sewn from it.

Choosing sports socks

You decided to lead a healthy lifestyle and go in for sports: you purchased beautiful and comfortable things, and selected high-quality sneakers.

All this, of course, is necessary for training. However, many people forget about one very important component of a sports outfit - socks.

How to choose the right socks for sports.

Just regular socks won’t do in this case, unless, of course, you don’t mind throwing out another pair in the trash every day and going to the store for a new one or running to the pharmacy for remedies for calluses and corns.

Socks are an extremely important part of the attire of any person involved in sports. If you neglect the rules for their selection, you may pay for it in the future.

Manufacturers of sports socks use special materials that are particularly durable and elastic. It is quite difficult to find a completely natural composition of socks, since they are often combined with more functional, but synthetic materials.

Of course, natural fabrics have a large number of advantages:

provide comfort when wearing the product;
have excellent heat transfer capabilities;
retain heat for a long time.

However, with all this, there is one significant drawback - such materials take a long time to dry. That is, if your feet sweat, the moisture will remain throughout the entire workout.

Modern technologies make it possible to produce more advanced models of socks. To do this, natural materials are combined with synthetic ones, making the product warm and able to remove excess moisture.

Sock models for tourism

Socks for long-distance hiking should be high enough to cover your shins. The front of these socks has special inserts that prevent shoe laces from putting pressure on your feet.

The back and heel area are stronger, so the boots do not cause calluses.

In addition, such reinforcement reduces the force of impacts on the foot when moving. The toe of the sock is also reinforced, thanks to which the foot is protected from diaper rash and the toes are protected from abrasions. In the places where the fingertips are located, you can see pads on the socks.

They are necessary to prevent your foot from slipping in your shoes. In those places where the foot does not experience stress, the fabric is very thin and elastic, promoting breathability and moisture removal.

How to choose the right socks for sports.

Running socks

Socks for this sport involve reducing stress, foot damage, and preventing streptoderma and calluses. In the heel area there is a tight knit and a wedge in the form of a triangle, which seems to secure the sock in one position on the foot.

The nose of the product is reinforced, so your fingers are safe.

There are no reinforcements on the instep and arch of the sock, but there may be lycra content, which makes the sock fit more tightly to the foot and does not fidget. In most cases, such models are made of synthetic materials, so the foot never remains wet in them.

Cycling socks

These socks have the following features:

medium or short length;
the presence of a stretchable elastic band, which is located in the ankle area. This detail helps protect the foot from dust and dirt that can get into the sock when driving fast on dirt paths;
the upper part of the sock is reinforced, since when riding a bicycle a special load falls on this part of the leg;
The toe lift incorporates lycra, ensuring the toe stays stationary on the foot in any situation;
Often materials such as polypropylene and polyester are used for their production.

Roller skating socks

This model is often very long. In the calf area of the socks there is a cross elastic that holds the sock on the foot.

The back area of the ankle, heel and toe of the sock are equipped with additional knitting, so the skin does not rub and the sock pleases its owner with its integrity for a long time.

There are fine knit stripes on the sides of the sock. This speeds up the drying of the sock and makes movements during training faster.

How to choose the right socks for sports.

Tennis socks

During tennis training, a person makes rapid movements to start, as well as when braking in the lateral direction. To soften them, the toes have side seals that reduce friction.

The heel and toe areas are made from thicker, stronger fabric. This is necessary in order to protect your fingers from impacts and rubbing. In the center of the foot, the sock is equipped with medium-density fabric.

Lycra is added to the instep of the sock, which is known to improve the fit of the sock.

Source:

From natural fibers, first of all, Cotton is isolated.

Cotton fibers are strong and fluffy. Used to make fabric that is pleasant to the touch, breathable. Cotton has a number of amazing properties, the history of its use goes back more than 7,000 years. Today, there are four varieties of cotton: hard, native to Central America (accounts for 90% of world production); long-fiber - from South America (8% of world production); tall - manufactured in India and Pakistan (less than 2%); coarse, native to southern Africa (2% of world production). Cotton underwear is very elastic, fits perfectly on the figure, is chemical resistant - does not suffer from exposure to water.

Advantages: anti-allergenic; softness; absorbent properties; ease of painting;

Disadvantages: easily wrinkled; turns yellow from exposure to light; cotton products shrink more often than others after washing; cotton is not very abrasion resistant;

There are several varieties of cotton depending on the method of exposure to them:

COTTON MERCERIZED Mercerization is the process of influencing cotton fabric in order to give the threads shine and strengthen them. Mercerization changes the structure of cotton - it leads to an increase in the reflection area, which gives the fiber a softness unusual in its natural form. This procedure increases shine, strength, dye acceptance, and water resistance, giving the products durability.
PIMA COTTON A variety of cotton grown in Peru and the southwestern United States. Pima cotton, in addition to its usual qualities, has excellent absorbent properties and extreme durability. This cotton has some similarities to Egyptian cotton, but has a wider weave, which increases softness, helping to absorb water faster. The advantage of Pima cotton is its durability, but the disadvantage is that due to its increased moisture absorption, it stains more easily.
PEACH FINISHING COTTON A type of material that is subjected to a special type of finishing: the product acquires a special softness and velvety like peach. Hence the name. After the fabric is woven, the material is immersed in a chemical solution, and after drying, it is treated with a special brush, getting rid of some fibers, giving the feeling of a sanded fabric.
BIO-WASH COTTON Another variety of cotton that is processed using cellulose enzymes. This treatment is designed to soften the fabric - to make it more pleasant to the touch. The difference between bio-wash is that it uses natural, biological substances rather than potentially irritating chemicals to soften cotton. As a result, we do not get a potential irritant, but soft tissue.

History of the development of cotton production

Cotton fabric has been produced for thousands of years, and today it remains one of the most popular natural materials. Cotton began to be grown in prehistoric times, as evidenced by archaeological excavations. The history of the material begins on the banks of the Indus, where ancient people already knew how to cultivate cotton.

Mercerized cotton fabric has a rich color and glossy finish

Several hundred years BC, cotton production appeared in Mexico. Then they learned to make natural fabric in Europe and the Greco-Roman Empire, and from there it spread to Western countries. Active cultivation of the crop has been observed in America since its discovery. Millions of slaves worked on cotton plantations at that time.

Cotton is extracted from the cotton plant, the most widely grown shrub

Today, cotton is the most widely grown crop. It is planted on five continents, in more than 80 countries. Cotton fabric accounts for 40% of total fabric production. And this is more than silk and wool. There are about 50 types of cotton in the world.

Until the 19th century, cotton was harvested and the fibers were gleaned by hand, making the material very expensive. Then a special machine was invented that quickly and efficiently cleans the fibers from the seeds. Since then, the amount of raw materials processed has increased many times. In addition, cotton picking also became mechanical.

The mercerization process takes place using expensive equipment and consumables

The purified fibers are twisted and pressed, and various products are made from it. The seeds are not thrown away. Some of it is used to replant cotton, and some is used to produce cottonseed oil, which is used in food. Processing cake enriched with proteins. It is used to feed livestock. The result is waste-free production.

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Wool

Wool fibers are more elastic and lighter than plant fibers, and wool products retain heat better. Wool is often treated with lanolin, which increases waterproofness, airtightness, and antibacterial properties. The most common is sheep wool, but for the manufacture of, for example, thermal underwear, camel wool or merino wool is used. When choosing underwear made from wool, you should pay attention to the density of the knitting, the scratchiness and the threads in the seams, and wool also has a wide range of natural colors - more than 23 shades.

Advantages: high thermal insulation; hydrophobia; hygroscopicity; does not shrink after washing;

Disadvantages: not too strong; subject to rolling; prickly; unstable to friction; stretches;

How is it different from natural wool?

Advertising for mercerized wool can be found everywhere. But alkali treatment has nothing in common with this material. The common term here refers to a completely different process. In fact, the fibers are coated with a thin layer of silicone polymer. Thanks to this, the properties of the fabric improve .

Distinctive features of “mercerized” wool:

the fabric is smooth, light to the touch;
the material is easy to care for;
the fiber is easier to process.

The manufacturer is trying to make it clear to the buyer that this clothing is not made from ordinary wool, but from its improved analogue, therefore it uses simplified designations . Treated wool is more expensive than natural wool.

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How to wash wool socks?

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Silk

Silk is a natural fiber obtained mainly from the cocoons of silkworms. The texture of silk is smooth and soft, and silk fibers are among the strongest in nature, which explains the durability of the material. One of the main aesthetic properties of silk linen is the shimmer or shimmer that occurs on the fabric due to its structure: the incident light is refracted at different angles. Silk is a poor conductor because it accumulates static electricity, thereby causing the material to feel as if it is being “electric”. The elasticity of silk leaves much to be desired; it is weakened by sunlight and the influence of water.

Advantages: durability; strength; high absorbent properties, which allows you to wear clothes in hot weather; antibacterial;

Disadvantages: stretches; does not have antistatic properties;

How to distinguish mercerized cotton from regular cotton

The product may not always correspond to what is indicated on the label. To easily identify mercerized cotton, there are several signs:

the surface feels smooth, reminiscent of silk;
after crumpling, the material will take its original shape, without creases;
the color is always bright and rich, without a whitish cast;
When mercerized thread is set on fire, it will burn completely.

Real mercerized cotton has a long service life and many positive properties, so there is no need to doubt the quality of such items.

Polyester

The most popular synthetic fiber in the world. Polyester is produced from polyester. Polyester fabric is very light, but durable, resistant to damage, which allows you to maintain the shape of the product. However, polyester laundry should be handled with particular care during washing and ironing. Such linen can be washed only in the “gentle” mode, plus it cannot be bleached.

Advantages: durability; resistance to damage; resistance to deformation;

Disadvantages: if carelessly ironed, the fabric breaks; is not highly hygienic and may therefore cause skin irritation;

How to recognize?

There are several simple techniques for distinguishing fabric made from mercerized 100% cotton from regular fabric.

Treated fabric always has a brighter color.
Externally, it is very similar to synthetic or silk fibers.
Run your hand over the surface of the fabric. Products made from mercerized cotton are smooth to the touch, while regular ones have roughness.
You can crumple the edge of the fabric in your palm and then sharply release the brush. Treated cotton will not wrinkle. If you do the same with regular cotton, it will be very wrinkled.
The mercerized cotton thread burns instantly and to the ground, and you will smell the burnt paper.
If you wear something made of mercerized fabric, you will feel cool from it.

Polyamide

Polyamide fabrics are not natural; they are produced using the synthesis of fiber from a polymer. This is followed by drawing and textile processing, due to which polyamide fibers are among the thinnest and are characterized by high strength and heat resistance. They are more resistant to abrasion, exposure to meadows and dust than polyester. The main types of polyamide are nylon and nylon. These fabrics have increased elasticity, as a result of which products made from them fit perfectly on the figure.

Advantages: high strength, elasticity, excellent heat retention;

Disadvantages: tendency to stretch, loses shape and strength faster than other synthetic fabrics;

Caring for things

If the label of the item you purchased says mercerized cotton or 100% mercerized cotton, then you got a wonderful and easy-to-care material. You just need to wash and iron it at high temperatures.

It is recommended to wash knitted items at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees and use delicate detergents. It is contraindicated to wring them out and dry them in a washing machine, and it is best to iron them at temperatures up to 150 degrees through a damp cloth.

Natural materials are much higher quality than artificial ones, and cotton is rightly called “white gold”. Mercerized cotton fabrics are bright, strong and durable. Using mercerization, you can create an environmentally friendly natural material with excellent properties. Products made from this material are very comfortable and easy to care for. Despite the high price, with proper care, things made from this unique fabric will delight you with their beautiful appearance for a long time.

Elastan

Elastane is also found in underwear under the name spandex. Elastane itself is rarely used; most often it is mixed with cotton or polyester. The main feature of the material is reflected in the name - elastane can stretch 8 times its original size, which makes it especially suitable for lingerie. It is comfortable - it does not restrict movement, and after physical activity it restores its shape. It should be washed on a light fabric cycle to avoid damaging the superfine fibers. It is not recommended to use a dryer for elastane products.

Advantages: resistant to sea water, grease, cosmetics and sweat; increased elasticity;

Disadvantages: poor breathability;

Mercerization - what is it?

Mercerization is a type of pre-treatment of various cellulose fiber fabrics, as well as cotton materials . This process is also used to make viscose. Both yarn, fabric and clothing can be processed. The process has no difficulties.

Mercerization sequence:

the yarn is placed in an alkaline solution of 18–23% for several minutes, due to which the threads swell, take on the correct straight cylinder shape, and become smooth;
the fiber is then washed and pulled using torches to remove fluff and excess lint from the surface.

Important! After mercerization, the material becomes smooth, reducing the risk of pilling.

The procedure is carried out at room temperature 15–18 degrees. When making embroidery threads, fabric goes through several processing stages. First, the fiber is dipped into the alkali solution. And the second time the finished threads are processed. The resulting material is durable, soft, and smooth. The improved analogue is easier to paint, and the resulting color is richer and more durable.

During the procedure, the interaction of cellulose and alkali is carried out . As a result of such contact, cellulose alkali is formed. When the fiber absorbs the solution, it also absorbs water. Thanks to this, the yarn increases in size. If the original fiber is dry and twisted, then after processing its shape changes. The threads become straight and smooth. The fabric remains in this position.

Mercerization is not a new technology. Back in 1844, the first studies were carried out where John Mercer experimented with cotton. But at that time, none of the manufacturers were interested in this process. It took another half a century for processing to begin to be actively used in the manufacture of clothing and other fabric products.

Lycra

Lycra is a brand. An artificial material that is allowed to be produced by the only company - DuPont. Lycra polyurethane fibers, unlike other synthetics, have high mobility, which is why they retain heat well, allowing the skin to “breathe”. Lycra is rarely found without impurities; most often it is added to cotton, nylon or wool, thereby giving the product high elasticity. One of the distinctive features of lycra is its unique shine.

Advantages: special softness; elasticity; shine; does not wrinkle;

Disadvantages: shrinkage of the material; allergenicity;

Tactel

Another registered trademark that has been producing synthetic fabric since 1983. Tactel is a lightweight, flexible, soft material - one of the varieties of nylon. All this explains the special pleasantness of the tactel to the touch; in fact, this is where the name comes from, which means “touch” in Latin. The main feature of taktel is that it dries very quickly (about 8 times faster than cotton), and taktel threads are approximately two times softer than others.

Advantages: elasticity of fibers; wide range of visualization: from matte to glossy; thermal insulation; high wear resistance;

Disadvantages: possible allergenicity; higher price;

Meryl

Meryl is another polyamide material with a soft texture. The production brand is Nylstar. The measure has a natural look - it resembles natural linen, so it is ideal for clothing and linen that are in direct contact with the skin. Meryl controls moisture, eliminates the sensation of sweating, and prevents the accumulation of static electricity. The special feature of the measure is its ability to protect delicate areas of the body from UVA and UVB rays, which makes it indispensable in the manufacture of swimsuits.

Advantages: wear resistance; ease of care; ability to keep fit; strength; bacteriostatic;

Disadvantages: possible allergenicity; high price;

Microfiber

Microfiber fibers, invented more than 50 years ago in Japan, are synthetic and have a unique fineness. By comparison, the diameter of a microfiber fiber is only one-hundredth the diameter of a human hair. Microfiber has excellent breathability, but nevertheless copes well with heat and moisture, leaving the skin dry and cool. Microfiber fabric does not fade, does not pill, and dries quickly after washing.

Advantages: 100% waterproof; strength, elasticity, lightness; creating a comfortable microclimate between skin and clothing;

Disadvantages: high fiber shrinkage; after accumulating a certain amount of fat, it loses the ability to repel liquid;

Viscose

Viscose is one of the first chemically produced fibers, produced by treating cellulose and then combining the product with sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. Products made from viscose are plastic, smooth, and do not tend to stretch. In addition, the color of viscose remains stable even after frequent washing. But the water-repellent properties of viscose are not up to par; it is recommended to wash viscose underwear on a gentle cycle. To protect viscose from adverse effects, chemical antioxidants are often added to the composition.

Advantages: natural effect; light fastness; strength; does not accumulate static electricity;

Disadvantages: wrinkles easily; swells with water; is destroyed under the influence of air oxides and ultraviolet radiation;

Process

Both the yarn itself and ready-made fabrics or even products can be mercerized. This process involves treating materials in a solution of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, caustic soda) - the most common alkali - and then thoroughly washing.

Before twisting into a thread, yarn or fiber is immersed for several minutes in a concentrated iodine solution of sodium hydroxide (25-27%) at a temperature of 15-18 ° C, then washed thoroughly. The threads become smooth and lose their “fuzz”, so they are very similar to silk.
Fabrics are usually severely mercerized after boiling and bleaching. Using special machines, the fabric is stretched and impregnated with the same composition (also at low temperatures), after 35-120 seconds the washing stage follows.

On a note

Tension is necessary because the fiber swells and shortens greatly during such processing. If alkali is applied to the fabric in an unstretched form, a slight “crinkling” or “corrugation” effect is obtained.

product made from yarn subjected to mercerization 3

product made from yarn subjected to mercerization 4

Viscose production

Read about: artificial mineral fibers: protection, insulation, filtration.

After boiling the wood in alkali and obtaining cellulose pulp, pressed sheets of cardboard are obtained. It is sent for hourly treatment with an aqueous solution of caustic soda at a temperature of 20-60 °C. This is how alkali cellulose is obtained. This process is also called mercerization and is one of the stages in the preparation of the spinning solution to produce viscose.

On a note

Mercerized wool is a wool fiber from the surface of which the relief structure has been removed using chemicals. Further impregnation with silicone polymers secures the result, which provides a “pleasant to the touch” effect.

Micro Modal

Micromodal is a microfiber characterized by unique fineness. Micromodal threads are made from cellulose, but due to their minimal thickness, the products are smooth, soft, and do not lose their aesthetic appeal after washing. For example, micromodal stockings are difficult to distinguish from silk stockings. Pure micromodal is rare and is often mixed with elastane or cotton.

Advantages: hygroscopicity; breathability; wear resistance; It does not require special care; does not deform when washed;

Disadvantages: possible allergenicity; high cost;

Modal

Slightly thicker than micromodal, the fibers are made from viscose. Manufacturers claim that modal is 50% more hygroscopic than cotton and is resistant to fading and shrinkage. Modal is silky and soft to the touch. For comparison, in order to achieve the same properties of natural fabric, cotton should be mercerized. To maintain the natural delicacy of the material, modal fabrics should be washed at a lower temperature than other fabrics.

Advantages: hygroscopicity; resistance to light and moisture;

Disadvantages: tendency to stretch; peeling;

Thread properties

Mercerized cotton can be easily distinguished by the shine of the thread.
To obtain high-quality mercerized yarn, the highest quality raw materials are used. When choosing source material, manufacturers usually prefer long-staple cotton from Egypt. Mercerization is an expensive procedure, but the resulting products are worth the money and effort spent.

Items made from processed fiber are comfortable and environmentally friendly, have long-lasting color and a slightly noticeable shine, giving the fabrics nobility and charm. During the processing process, numerous small fibers are removed from the surface of the cotton thread, so the fiber becomes even and smooth, like silk.

Nylon

Nylon is one of the most used polymers, produced 80 years ago as an alternative to silk. Nylon is valued for its light weight, durability, and resistance to damage. Another positive quality of nylon is the receptivity of dyes, which makes it possible to achieve not only a wide range of colors for nylon fabrics, but also to achieve the effect of variable shimmer.

Advantages: practicality of use; fiber strength; color fastness;

Disadvantages: sensitivity to light; increased fiber deformation;

Tencel

Tencel is one of the commercial varieties of lyocell, an environmentally friendly fabric made from fibers of specially grown trees. Lyocell has a high absorbency, thereby doing an excellent job of removing sweat. The advantages of tencel include natural air exchange, absolute antibacterial properties, and strength. Tenzel is a soft, wrinkle-resistant material that can imitate various textures.

Advantages: softness; absorbent properties; strength; environmental cleanliness;

Disadvantages: tendency to shrink after the first wash; costs more than the natural equivalent;