A T-shirt's fabric defines its quality.
Slipping into a soft, comfortable T-shirt is one of life's simple joys. The blend of fabrics, however, defines the quality of a garment -- and the best blends produce a durable, soft and wrinkle-free shirt. While cotton and polyester are the most popular, organic options offer similar quality at lower cost to the environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Combed Cotton Fibers
The combing process separates longer, more desirable cotton fibers from those which are coarser and shorter, called "carded" cotton. The result is a soft T-shirt with a higher count of thinner, finer fibers which are just as durable. Combed cotton is lighter to the touch and its tighter knit makes it ideal for screen-printing and embroidery. It's easy to distinguish combed from carded cotton by its thin, soft fabric.
Cotton-Polyester
A popular fabric blend combines cotton and synthetic fibers. Polyester is a form of plastic which softens the feel of cotton and helps a shirt remain largely free of wrinkles. The T-shirt label indicates how much polyester and cotton were used to produce the garment. That said, make sure to iron cotton-polyester shirts at a low setting -- according to Iowa State University, polyester can ignite quickly around sources extreme heat.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton provides its own blend of long and short fibers free of pesticides, chemical dyes and formaldehyde. However, earth-friendly consumers must purchase organic cotton cautiously. The cotton may be organic, but it also may have been chemically processed. If the fabric is artificially colored, try to confirm that the manufacturer used vegetable-based dyes. A T-shirt's label may not adequately inform organic consumers of what they need to know. That said, organic is as real as cotton gets.
Purchasing Power
The price of a T-shirt can vary due to the cost of fabric blends as well as printing and dyes. Combed cotton T-shirts generally cost more, but they're more durable. When choosing polyester-cotton blends, let your sense of touch guide you. As interest in sustainable products evolves, consumers of organic cotton T-shirts can stay informed by checking the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website for information on organic product labeling.
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