Long Way Education

By Eman Abdallah Kamel

Contact the author: emanabdallahkamel@gmail.com

Eman is a writer and textile engineer. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in textile sciences from the Faculty of Applied Arts in Egypt.

In this article, you will learn about the history of cotton, its chemical composition, the advantages and disadvantages of cotton fabrics, and fabric care.

Image source: pinterest.com

Cotton Fiber

Among the most important fiber plants in the world, cotton belongs to the Gossypium genus.

Cotton is a small shrub with a large yellow flower; the seeds are covered with white cellulose fluff, from which fiber is obtained.

What is cellulose?

A molecule of cellulose contains hundreds or thousands of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. A plant’s cell wall is primarily composed of cellulose, which keeps it stiff and upright. Cellulose is a natural polymer. It is a long-chain polymer of glucose molecules linked together. Cellulose is used in the manufacture of clothing and paper.

Cotton is grown in hot areas because it does not sustain cold or frost, and it needs special care because it needs fertile soil and plenty of water for irrigation.

Cotton species are Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium herbaceum, and Gossypium arboreum.

Often, cotton fibers are blended with wool, linen, nylon, and polyester to improve their properties.

Cotton fabrics are widely used in making underwear, children’s clothing, towels, sheets, blankets, bathrobes, bras, blouses, shirts, dresses, and curtains.

A cotton gin is on display at the Eli Whitney Museum. Image source: wikimedia.org

A Brief History of Cotton

More than 5,000 years ago, cotton fabrics were found next to the stuffed bodies in the ancient Peruvian civilization. Cotton fibers were also used in ancient India. Cotton fibers were called “calico” after Calicut in India.

The cotton industry began in Europe in 1635, and they imported cotton from the Levant and India.

At the end of the eighteenth century, cotton cultivation began in America, while the cultivation of long-staple cotton began in Egypt at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

In 1793, the American inventor Eli Whitney developed the cotton gin, which was able to provide an easier, faster, and more economical way to separate the cottonseed from the fiber.

Since the early 1990s, global cotton production has declined due to the proliferation of synthetic fibers.

Image source: sciencedirect.com

Cotton Chemical Structure

A cotton fiber resembles a twisted ribbon. These twists are called convolutions. There are about 60 convolutions per centimeter. The convolutions give cotton an uneven fibrous surface, which increases inter-fiber friction and enables soft cotton yarns to be spun.

The outer layer, the cuticle, is a thin film that mostly consists of fat and wax. The waxy layer forms a thin sheet above the primary wall that forms grooves on the surface of the cotton.

The main wall comprises non-cellulosic and amorphous cellulose materials, where the fibers are arranged in a cross pattern. Due to the unorganized orientation of cellulosic and non-cellulose materials, the surface of the primary wall is disorganized and open. This gives flexibility to the main wall, which is required during cell growth.

The primary wall components are cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin, proteins, and ions. The secondary wall, in which only crystalline cellulose exists, is highly arranged and has a structure combined with the cellulose fibers parallel to each other.

The above video teaches you the manufacturing stages of cotton.

Cotton Manufacturing Process

The stages of the cotton industry can be summarized as follows:

• Cultivation and Development
• Ginning
• Spinning
• Weaving
• Dyeing
• Printing
• Finishing

To learn more about the stages of the cotton production process, visit the cotton manufacturing process.

Moldy cotton fabric. Image source: shutterstock.com

Cotton Fabric Advantages

• Cotton fabrics are elastic and soft. Cotton fibers do not have negative effects on the skin.
• Cotton fibers absorb sweat readily.
• Cotton textiles withstand high temperatures, ironing, and washing.

Cotton Fabric Disadvantages

• Cotton shrinks easily.
• The fabric of a cotton garment wrinkles easily, so it needs to be ironed frequently.
• With increasing humidity in the atmosphere, cotton fabrics become moldy due to the effects of bacteria and fungi, giving the fabrics a moldy odor and some stains. Therefore, when storing cotton fabrics, use mold-resistant materials or products and do not store them in wet, dark places.

What is Mold?

Mold is an antiseptic substance that forms in damp, dark places and has a dark green color. They are usually found behind curtains, under beds, and in storage areas.

Cotton Towels

How to Maintain Cotton Fabrics

1. How to Keep Colored Cotton Clothes During Washing

Cotton clothing can be taken care of during washing by following the steps:

1. When washing colored cotton fabric for the first time, soak it for an hour in the washbasin to remove excess dye and determine if it is stable.
2. When washing dark clothes for the first time, soak them in warm water, add a cup of vinegar and salt, and leave them for 4 to 5 hours, as this works to fix the color of the clothes.
3. Separate the cotton clothes from other clothing, and sort the bright cotton clothes from the dark clothes so as not to dissolve colors and mingle with each other during washing.
4. Remove stains from cotton clothes with stain removers, liquid detergents, or gels because it is difficult to remove stains after washing and drying clothes.
5. Turn the clothes toward the interior to maintain consistency and brightness.
6. Check the label on each piece of clothing and adjust the washing cycle to the lowest temperature suitable for washing colored cotton clothes. It is not preferred to use hot water so as not to resolve colors and dyes.
7. Pay attention to some clothes that do not fit the washer and dryer by checking the label on each item. Some clothes need to be air-dried by hanging them on a clothes hanger. When using the dryer, it is preferable not to prolong the drying time so that the clothes are not severely wrinkled.

2. Tips for Washing White Fabrics

1. Separate white clothes from colored clothes.
2. Wash whites at high temperatures.
3. It is possible to place half a cup of baking soda with whitewashing; it helps to preserve the pure white color, thus avoiding the yellowing of white cloth.
4. Wash the yellow areas resulting from sweating in the armpit area with regular soap before placing it in the washing machine.
5. Soak your dirty whites in lukewarm water with some detergent and gel for at least 3 hours.
6. To remove the frankincense, put on the white clothes cubes of ice, and then remove it with a sharp knife.
7. It is preferred to hang white clothing in the sun.

3. Cotton Curtains Cleaning

1. Dust from the colored cotton curtains should be removed before washing. Use only cold water for washing and rinsing. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to the last rinse, as it will give the curtain more cleanliness and shine. Press the fabric with your hands after washing it; do not spin it. Avoid exposing the fabric to long periods of sunlight after spreading.
2. It is better to clean the cotton curtains while they are hanging. As much as possible, remove the dust from curtains daily so that you can keep them clean for a long time and do not have to disassemble and install them many times.
3. The dust can be removed by cleaning the weekly vacuum cleaner from top to bottom.
4. Remove any stains from cotton curtains with a sponge dampened in warm water and a suitable washing powder, then wash them with another sponge dampened with water only.
5. The steam cleaning machine is ideal for cleaning heavy or difficult-to-disassemble curtains.

4. Tips to Prevent the Mold

1. Good ventilation in the house.
2. Dry fabrics well before storing them.
3. Adjust the heating or air conditioning to keep the area dry and moisture-free.
4. Clothing and fabrics are best stored in cedarwood bags, which prevent insects and moisture from entering.

Did You Know?

Cedar wood comes from the Cedrela Odorata trees. It is an aromatic, insect-resistant wood that is light and mainly used to keep clothes from insects and moisture.

©Eman Abdallah Kamel, 2023

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The Long Way Education Site path is based on self-learning. Here you will learn about science, education, and religion. You will also learn about fiber and its manufacture. And different disciplines of engineering such as mechanical and industrial engineering.