Polysatin or satin: pros and cons

Polysatin and satin - what kind of fabric is this?

Satin is always one hundred percent natural cotton. No other fabric interspersed with synthetics has the right to be called satin. It is considered the “king” of cotton fabrics. If you choose bedding made of satin, this is an excellent option, it is dense, it is shiny, and it is natural, which is also important. The disadvantage of the fabric is its high price compared to other cotton, for example, calico or poplin.

Polysatin - what kind of fabric is it?

Polysatin is 100% polyester. All that satin and polysatin have in common is the same weaving of threads. Polysatin is inexpensive, beautiful and wear-resistant, but that’s where its advantages end. If polysatin is chosen as the material, the bed linen does not absorb moisture, does not allow air to pass through and feels like paper to the touch.

Satin and polyester blended fabrics

There is a third type of fabric - mixed fabric. It has cotton threads, like satin. And at the same time, synthetic fibers are added to such fabric. Proportions may vary. It is difficult to unequivocally evaluate such fabric; different manufacturers have it of both low and high quality. We will tell you more about its features.

Inexpensive synthetic bedding from the Aliexpress website

What's included

The percentage of cotton and polyester fibers affects the type of polysatin: from semi-natural to completely synthetic. The cotton component occupies from 50 to 30% or is absent. The proportions are determined by the manufacturer brand and the purpose of the fabric. There are no standards in this area.

The fabric is made exclusively from polyester threads or mixed ones. Mixing proportions depend on the standards of the textile company and the purpose of the fabric; there are no strict standards.

Polysatin - synthetic bedding?

Polysatin is a name for bed linen that can be misleading. It contains the word “satin”, which, it would seem, should mean that the linen is made of cotton. But in fact, this fabric is synthetic. To be fair, it must be said that buying high-quality bed linen can be difficult. Because there are sellers who mislead buyers regarding the composition of the fabric.

The 3D pattern can be applied to any fabric, including polysatin, calico, and poplin. But on mesh calico it does not look as impressive as on synthetics and satin.

3D drawing on satin

It happens that the description says “polysatin”. And after that there is also the inscription “Composition: cotton”. In fact, these are synthetic bedding. And the manufacturer, it seems, didn’t lie, because a very small amount of cotton fiber was actually added to the fabric. As a rule, such bedding sets are very bright and very inexpensive.
Sometimes the label indicates that the interior contains “satin bedding.” But over time, pills appear on the fabric, and this means that the fabric contains not only cotton, but also synthetics.

Pills never appear on bed linen made of satin, and cotton in general. These are its physical properties. If pills appear, then the composition contains both cotton and synthetics.

Instead of the name “polysatin”, you can find other words in the description. There is also “Neo-satin” , and “Microsatin” and so on. Sometimes foreign manufacturers write that their bedding sets are made from microfiber , which also means synthetics.
On Chinese websites, sometimes the fabric composition of bedding sets is not indicated at all. And sometimes the $8 set includes silk and linen. However, this does not mean that there are no decent bed linen manufacturers in China. They are.

Polysatin bedding set
In defense of synthetic fabric, it must be said that polysatin reviews are not always negative. The fact is that different people have different degrees of sensitivity to synthetics. For some, polysatin is a perfectly acceptable fabric for bed linen, it is inexpensive, and it is often bright. Yes, it is somewhat slippery and cold to the touch, but if the house is warm, then this may not matter. On the other hand, there are people for whom a polysatin bed can even cause insomnia.

To check whether the fabric in front of you is polysatin or satin, you need to set it on fire. Cotton will burn like an ordinary natural material, there will be white smoke and light dry ash that will flake. If you set polysatin on fire, the smoke will be black, the fabric will melt, turning into a black viscous mass. As you understand, it is difficult to conduct a fire test in a store, and even more so in an online store. All that remains is to focus on the manufacturer’s reputation and reviews.

There are bedding sets that combine pieces of different fabrics, for example, cotton poplin and polysatin. The upper part of the duvet cover and pillowcases for small decorative pillows are sewn from synthetics. And all parts of the bed that come into contact with the human body during sleep are made of cotton fabric. Such sets are very beautiful, and duvet covers can be used instead of bedspreads.

Set of two types of fabric: satin and polysatin

Kinds

Depending on the raw material and scope of use, polysatin is divided into two categories:

Industrial. It consists of 100% polyester. The smooth and dense surface repels dirt and dust, does not wear out for a long time and retains its shape. It is used in the production of awnings, awnings, mattresses, bags, and for upholstery of upholstered furniture.
Domestic. Contains cotton and synthetic fibers in a ratio of 50/50, 35/65 and other combinations. The material looks like natural. It is intended for sewing bed linen, textiles and clothing. Thanks to its properties, a pattern is well applied to the canvas and does not lose saturation for a long time. Colors with a 3D effect are popular.

Cost-effectiveness and mass availability were achieved through polyester fibers.

Satin bed linen - high quality cotton

Pure cotton is made into at least three different types of fabric, all of which are used for bedding.

Calico is the most inexpensive and simplest cotton fabric. But this absolutely does not mean that calico is a bad material. You need to pay attention to the numbers indicating the density of the fabric. If calico has a density of 112 grams per meter, then it is a very thin fabric. But if the density is 130 grams per meter, then this is already a fairly good fabric.
Poplin is a fabric that is sometimes said to be the same calico, but of better quality. For poplin, thinner threads are used, and the weave is tighter. This fabric feels smoother and more delicate to the touch than calico. You need to be careful with poplin; in our country it is mainly made from cotton, but poplin can also be silk and synthetic.
Satin is a cotton fabric with a special weave. Firstly, before creating satin from the threads, they are twisted. This makes the thread smoother and the fabric more shiny. Secondly, in order to obtain high-quality bed linen, satin is woven in a special way. The fabric is smooth, dense and wears less. It is believed that satin bed linen can withstand from 150 to 200 washes.

Cotton set for boy

Manufacturing, composition and properties

To create a satin weave, different warp and weft (front side) threads are used. The main threads are thick, and the surface threads are much thinner and strongly twisted, which gives the material shine. The weft threads go on top of 4-5 warp threads, ensuring smoothness.

Due to this weaving, a high density of fabric is obtained: from 85 to 200 threads per 1 cm2. This provides good wear resistance and minimal shrinkage. The softness of the fabric makes touching it pleasant. Visually it is highly aesthetic.

Polysatin fabric is primarily made from 100 percent polyester, a type of polyester fiber. Natural polyesters – amber, tree resin. Man-made polyester fiber is made from petroleum derivatives. Polyester is safe for human health. It has been used in the textile industry for a long time. Made from polyester, polysatin is even more wear-resistant. It is dirt and water repellent and dries quickly.

In mixed fabrics, threads made of silk, polyester, Tencel, etc. can be used for surface threads.

Satin lingerie - reviews

Reviews about satin underwear are mostly positive. People write that the 3D pattern looks beautiful on sateen underwear because it is a dense and shiny fabric. Satin holds color well and can withstand repeated washings without fading.

When talking about satin linen, they often compare it with other fabrics. And satin has earned a reputation as a better quality fabric than calico and poplin.

Satin is denser than calico. The patterns on blankets and pillows are not visible through satin bed linen. Satin is a more durable fabric than other cotton materials. It is less likely to tear in washing machines and during operation. This is all thanks to the special satin weaving of the threads.

Satin weaving
Sometimes reviews of satin linen say that the fabric did not live up to the buyer's expectations.

We bought bed linen made of thick satin, with a density of 140 g per square meter. And we encountered such a problem that it was difficult to iron it with an ordinary iron. Before this, we had a slightly thinner satin linen with a density of 125 g per square meter, and it was ironed without problems. If you do not have professional ironing equipment, do not buy satin with a density of more than 125 grams per meter.

Sometimes people in their reviews of satin also complain that over time the fabric loses its shine. Indeed, if we are talking about ordinary satin, then it shines only when it is relatively new; over time, the fabric becomes velvety.

I work in a hotel. Sometimes after washing, a “velvety” appearance appears on individual items. And nothing can be done about it. Unless you buy satin with special processing. And such material costs twice, and sometimes three times more, than ordinary satin.

Stripe-satin fabric with shiny and matte stripes

Care

Proper care extends the life of polysatin items. Here's what you need to stick to:

The material can be washed by hand or in a washing machine.
Avoid exposure to high temperatures.
Water no higher than 40°.
It is preferable to use washing gel and products with a mild composition.
Rinsing with fabric softener will add elasticity to the fibers and brighten the colors.
The use of bleaches and detergent concentrates is prohibited.
Products made from polysatin should be dried flat and in natural conditions.
There is no need to iron the fabric. After storage, creases are smoothed out using an iron or gauze in the “silk” or “synthetic” mode.

Mercerization of satin

If you want to choose the best bed linen, the satin for it can be mercerized.

Mercerization is the rapid treatment of fabric with caustic soda. The canvases are stretched, doused with cold water, then they are doused with caustic soda, and then washed again with cold water. As a result, the threads swell. Knots and small broken threads become invisible, the satin turns out very smooth and shiny. This fabric lasts longer and retains its original appearance longer. In addition, paint adheres better to mercerized satin.

Bed linen, in which the satin is mercerized, costs an order of magnitude more than a bed made of ordinary satin. Much depends on how new the machine on which the fabric was produced is. In Russia, weaving looms are now produced in Cheboksary. Since Soviet times, the company has been producing machines under the STB brand (shuttleless weaving machine). And these are high quality machines, working using the same technologies that the whole world chooses.

Satin retains color longer thanks to caustic soda

Let's compare

Polysatin is positioned as an alternative to satin and other natural fabrics, and whether it can replace them will be determined by comparison.

Satin - the fabric is woven from double twisted fibers, pre-treated to a smooth texture. The result is a dense, thin fabric with a silky, smooth surface that is pleasant to the touch. Which is better, satin or polysatin? What is the difference? If polysatin is synthetic or a mixture of synthetics and cotton, then sateen is natural cotton. It is safe for health, does not electrify, and does not cause skin irritation. Clothes and household items are made from satin; it has proven itself well in bed linen. It costs more than polysatin, but wears out faster, synthetics will last longer.
Poplin is woven from threads of different thicknesses, resulting in a dense fabric with a textured surface. The composition of poplin fabric varies. It is usually made from cotton or a mixture of cotton and a small amount of silk, wool or synthetics. The fabric is hypoallergenic, pleasant on the body, does not wrinkle, wear-resistant, and easy to care for. It is used mainly for clothes and bedding. Polysatin, especially with a large proportion of polyester, is worse for the body; it can become electrified and cause irritation. It beats a natural opponent in terms of price, it costs much less. As for the difference between poplin and satin, it is described in detail here.
Calico - the structure of the fabric is similar to poplin, but the fibers are the same and coarser, you can feel the relief to the touch. 100% cotton fabric used for sewing bed linen and household items. Practical, durable, safe, the disadvantages include a rough surface, which is why not everyone likes calico linen. It is cheaper than poplin and satin, but more expensive than polysatin, since it is natural. You can learn about the difference between poplin and calico here.

Polysatin, which contains a significant proportion of cotton, is practically not inferior to natural fabrics, but is cheaper. If the skin does not react to synthetics, you can save money.

Mixed fabrics with satin

Polysatin is pure synthetics. Pure synthetic bedding is always bad. But at the same time, there are mixed textiles, in which high-quality satin is mixed with a small amount of synthetics. Surprisingly, this is the textile chosen for the famous Marriott hotel chain and some other respectable hotels.

Only on such fabrics mixed with satin can pilling form.

Bed at the Marriott Hotel
Bed linen with satin and polyester has its advantages:

This bed is more wear-resistant and can withstand more washes.
If the linen is colored, it retains its color longer.
This type of fabric removes stains more easily.

But still, when choosing bedding, you need to remember that if 30 percent synthetics are added to the fabric, then it feels like artificial. It’s up to you to decide whether to give preference to comfort or the beauty and durability of the fabric.

You may be interested in our other articles:

Poplin, satin or calico comparison of fabrics for bedding.
How to choose bed linen according to Feng Shui.
Bed linen from Aliexpress.
How to properly wash bedding from different fabrics.

Fabric use

The subdued shine and excellent drapability give the material a noble appearance.

Plain fabrics are amazing in exquisite patterns:

evening dress;
maxi skirts;
dresses for proms.

Bright colors will be appropriate in some evening styles, summer sundresses, and blouses.

Designers offer interesting combinations with satin weave materials. For example, with polysatin you can wear items with large knits, fur, leather, or suede.

A fashionable look will be created from a long poly-satin skirt and a loose sweater on top that goes down to the hips.

What is it used for?

The advantages of polyester include ease of sewing. It is easy to handle, does not crumble or wrap. Fabric used for sewing:

bed linen, decorative pillowcases, furniture upholstery, various types of covers, for example, for mattresses;
curtains and curtains, napkins and tablecloths;
dresses, dressing gowns, sundresses, raincoats, jackets and other outer waterproof clothing;
bags and backpacks;
branded clothing, overalls.

Industrial type use case
Important! Different types of artificial silk are used for different things. For example, cotton is chosen for clothing and linen, and pure polyester is used for protective clothing and bags.