Whether you're trying to ramp up your collection with new t-shirts or stocking up on t-shirts for your garments business, one thing is certain - there are plenty of options and styles you can choose from. While colour, design, and size are obvious factors, there is another to consider – the fabric. The fabric used to make your t-shirts is just as important as the size and style.
Polyester and cotton are two of the most popular fabric for manufacturing t-shirt, other clothing and even home textile items. Their appeal derives from their useful qualities and unique benefits. While both appear to be identical in their applications, there are significant differences between them. In this blog, we'll try to give an idea about a comparison between polyester t-shirt and cotton t-shirt to educate our readers to understand their properties.
Polyester is an entirely synthetic material and requires chemical reactions to be manufactured. It is derived from petroleum-based compounds. But, cotton is a completely natural and organic material. Cotton trees are harvested in fields and cotton is derived from the stem of cotton plants. Unlike polyester, cotton doesn’t attract any kind of chemical processing method.
The ability of a fabric to allow perspiration to escape from the body and air to flow through the fibres is referred to as breathability. As being a natural fabric, cotton is completely breathable. In harsh weather, cotton t-shirt can help you out to cool your body and be comfortable against the temperature. Polyester is a petroleum-based material that does not breathe. In warmer climates throughout the summer, polyester t-shirts can make the wearer uncomfortable & can cause skin issues. So, a cotton t-shirt can be better option for kids too!
Cotton is naturally soft since it is created from the fluffy fibres of the cotton plant. Cotton t-shirts are gentle to the touch and much softer to wear because of this softness. Polyester is a synthetic fabric comprised of man-made fibres. Because it is petroleum-based, it might have a plastic-like feel to it. It does not have the same softness as natural fibres.
Polyester and cotton are both durable fabrics but in different ways. Cotton's strength is found in the weaving of the cloth. The thicker the cotton weave, the stronger the fabric. Certain cotton fabrics like twill are more durable than others. Cotton is, interestingly, strongest while wet - which helps it resist multiple washing in hot water. But, polyester t-shirts are much strong than cotton as it’s man-made. They don’t break down easily, making them capable of withstanding many tears and wear. But, polyester has a huge backdrop in this case. You can’twash polyester t-shirt in hot water – it’s against the properties of polyester fabric. Heat and polyester don’t mix well.A polyester t-shirt can melt easily.So, in long run – cotton t-shirts are a clear winner.Both of the fabric needs proper maintenance and care too.
Cotton and polyester are both dye-able and colorfast. Cotton provides a deeper, richer colour than polyester since it is a natural fibre. Cotton t-shirtsare prone to sun damage and the colours fade quickly. Polyester t-shirts can keep the colour for longer. But polyester might be difficult to colour since it is not as easy to dye as cotton. It requires a synthetic-specific dye that is unaffected by cotton.
Polyester is resistant to shrinking due to its synthetic characteristics. Here, cotton is well-known for its shrinking tendencies. The first wash and dry cycle result in the most shrinking. Well, cotton fabric shrinking isn't as much of an issue these days. Modern methods of processing and cotton t-shirts have helped to eliminate the shrinking problem.
As being a natural fabric, cotton is an environmentally friendly material. Cotton fibres are completely biodegradable and can be composted once broken down. The fibres can also be recycled and used to make new clothing or other things such as paper bags. Polyester manufacturing needs a large number of natural resources and chemicals. When it reaches the end of its lifespan, it takes a long time to degrade in landfills and can spill toxins into the environment. Burning it also pollutes the air. So, for a clean and green environment – cotton should be the only option to wear.
When it comes to choosing between a polyester t-shirt and a cotton t-shirt, cotton is a clear winner here. The cotton t-shirt is soft, cool, comfortable, bright in colour and most importantly – nature friendly. It is the high time we need to think about environment by using eco-friendly fabrics. Still, which one is better that goes with personal preference. It also depends on the type of application you're looking too!