cotton blanket - the best of fabric choices

Looking to buy a cotton blanket? Or just after some good information on cotton weaves? In this hub, I will outline the benefits of cotton and provide some useful buying and cleaning tips.

Cotton is essentially the fabric that makes the world go around. Much of our clothing, bedding, and fabrics, for that matter, are made with some percentage of cotton content. Cotton comes from the cotton plant’s seed pod, and the fibers are actually shaped like twisted ribbons. The manufacturing of the cotton cloth is a complex process involving many stages, but the final result is a weave of soft and pliable fabric that is highly sought after by modern consumers.

The advantages of cotton far outweigh the disadvantages. The most notable feature of cotton fabric is its softness and how it feels against the skin, hence, its popular use in clothing and bedding. Another key feature of cotton cloth is its “breathability.” It’s capable of holding moisture up to many times its own weight, and has the ability to dry quickly. It is also created in a wide variety of weights and textures giving it a plethora of uses.

Cotton is known for not being able to hold its shape well, that is, it has no “memory.” Cotton also wrinkles easily, requiring ironing or steaming after washing; it also tends to wear and fade a little quicker than other fabrics, requiring special care when washing (see below). Its known for shrinking ..when proper washing technique is not followed. These disadvantages, however, are dependant on the many manufacturing processes available which alter the fabric's properties. It can be engineered to be more wrinkle resistant, hold color better, or to be shrink proof. A very common alternative, are cotton blend fabrics. This is the combining of cotton with other fibers, such as polyester, to benefit from the best properties of each fabric.

Pima Cotton: Made with extra long staples (ELS), 1 3/8” or longer. This generic type is known for being soft with strong firm fibers.

Supima Cotton: (ie. superior pima) Is a strictly regulated ELS fabric made from 100% American grown cotton.

Egyptian Cotton: Egyptian grown cotton known for its durability and feeling softer than most other types

Cotton also comes in many weaves, each with their own distinctions, such as thread count, weight and texture. Examples are sateen, percale, flannel and cambric.

A cotton blanket provides the finest sleeping environment possible “between the sheets”, but proper washing care is necessary to extend its life. It’s recommended that you set your washing machine on a lower setting and use cold water. Hang dry rather than using the heat and abuse from the dryer. If ironing is necessary, use no more than a medium heat setting. This applies to 100% cotton blanket fabric.

The internet is filled with outlets for purchasing cotton blankets, such as nextag and jcpenny. You will likely find a better selection online as well as better prices. This is not to say that your local department stores won’t have what you are looking for. Either way, you won’t be able to “try before you buy,” but you may at least be able to feel the fabric if you shop “in store”. Take special note to consider the blanket size with respect to your bed size; remember to allow for the blanket sizing to be large enough to have an ample amount of fabric hanging over the sides and foot of the bed to suit your needs.