Cotton, viscose, elastane - what is behind the names of the materials?

Cotton, viscose, elastane - what is behind the names of the materials?

2020-09-02

   For sewing children's clothing manufacturers use different fabrics - natural and synthetic. 

Let's understand the characteristics of the most popular materials from which to make clothes for our children.

Let's start with those fabrics, which are created from natural raw materials. Due to their environmental friendliness, hygiene and other qualities they are actively used in the manufacture of things for children and adults.

- Cotton. The material is obtained by processing the fruit of cotton. Cotton is strong, soft, износостойкостью․. However, it is not flexible, easy to wrinkle, dries for a long time. Single-colored clothes made of cotton can be washed at temperatures up to 90 ° C, colorful - at temperatures up to 40 ° C.

- Wool is made of animal hair, mainly sheep. Wool is considered one of the best materials for sewing thermal white wool because it can absorb unpleasant smells and gradually clean itself: you only need to leave things outdoors. The wool is soft, warm and supple. Woollen things are washed in water up to 50 ° C, not squeezed and not dried in the machine.

- Silk is a result of processing insect threads - mulberry silkworm. The material is known for its incredible softness, tenderness and durability. Silk does not stretch, does not sit down during washing, but it easily fades in the sun. Silk things are washed in "delicate" mode (in some machines - "silk"), preferably with liquid detergents and necessarily with air conditioning. Dry things on a hanger with shoulders.

- Flax is known for its hygroscopic nature, hygiene, dries quickly after soaking, has antimicrobial action, does not accumulate dirt in the fabric structure. The only drawback of linen clothing is that it wrinkles quickly and does not stretch at all.


   Artificial, that is, created by man fabrics also have their advantages.

- Polyester consists of so-called polyester fibres. The material has good breathability, it is not afraid of sunlight, dries instantly, keeps its shape after washing. The fabric should be washed in water no more than 40 ° C, and iron at the minimum mark of the iron.

- Elastane, aka Spandex, consists of polyurethane, is strong, elastic and soft. As a rule, elastane is used as an additional component in a fabric, for example, in combination with cotton. Spandex items should be washed in warm water in the "delicate" mode.

- Polyamide. It consists of substances of organic origin. Polyamide fibre is strong, light, thin, fast drying, but it can store static electricity. Clothing made of this fabric should be washed by hand, not twisted, not squeezed.

- Viscose. Lightweight, breathable, hygienic material is obtained from natural cellulose processed in a special way. Things from viscose are washed by hand, not squeezed, stroked through a damp cloth.


   In the manufacture of clothing for children is used and mixed fabric - knitwear. It is obtained by combining natural woolen, cotton fibers with synthetics. The knitted fabric is soft, pleasant to the touch. It stretches well and keeps its shape.

   It would be wrong to say that children's things must be made of natural materials. For example, synthetic fabrics like polyester have no equal protection from the weather, so they are used as a top layer in warm outerwear. Due to its lightness and ability to retain heat, synthetic material is well suited for the inner layer of jackets and down jackets.

   In addition, synthetic threads are often added to natural fabrics. This is done for quite specific purposes: this way clothes are more wear-resistant, elastic and beautiful.