|  100% Cotton vs Polyester / Cotton blend Š which one is better?
- “I want 100% cotton because it’s better quality, right?” Some of our customers assume 100% cotton is better than a poly/cotton blend. In my opinion, blended fabrics have a bad rep, thanks in part to the 70’s.
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- Hot and sweaty or cool and dry?
- Remember the polyester pantsuits? Yikes! I used to work in a fast food restaurant and I remember sweating in front of the fryer with a heavy 100% polyester uniform. I could wash it as many times as it needed, but wearing it was another story.
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- In the restaurant business where the clothing will have to be washed more frequently and need harsh detergents to get the stains out, it is imperative that clothing has the durability of polyester. This kind of environment would surely have 100% cotton in the garbage before too long. Some blends of poly/cotton can be a great compromise when it comes to durability and comfort for employees.
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- 100% cotton will breathe better and feel slightly nicer when washed but will fade and shrink easier. Cotton is perceived to be more valuable and higher quality because it costs more money than a blend. Quality is not really the factor here. The question we always ask our customers is, “What will you be using it for?” The answer can help us determine whether a customer really needs the durability of a blended fabric or if 100% cotton will work for them.
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- The fabric of today...
- New versions of poly/cotton blend products are softer and more breathable than ever before. Poly/cotton blended products tend to keep their shape and colour longer and do not shrink very much at all, even when washed with warm or hot water. Some people have complained about pilling with some brands. Pilling does occur with low quality blends but can also happen with some types of 100% cotton. Blended products generally cost less and last longer than 100% cotton.
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- There are quite a few varieties of 100% polyester products on the market now that have been accepted into mainstream fashion with open arms. Polar fleece, micro-fleece, microfibre and polynosic are just a few products that have been introduced in recent years and are taking the fashion industry by storm. Acrylic chenille is another favourite product commonly used for sweaters. These fabrics are so soft and wash like a dream. With our busy lives, nobody has time to iron. One of the benefits of these fabrics, whether they are 100% polyester or a blend of poly and cotton is they can be washed normally and don’t usually need to be ironed. Just don’t overload the washer or dryer! Overloading is the biggest cause of wrinkles.
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- Your way or the highway
- Comfort, feel, price and durability are all factors when making your decision. In the end you will need to decide based on your needs and budget. Either fabric is an excellent choice. As long as you choose the right brand name, you will end up with a good quality product. Just remember quality is not entirely dictated by fabric content.
Dan Burke is a promotional industry professional dedicated to the business success of his clients. To find some great new promotional products or more resources visit http://www.TMSpromotions.ca or contact him by email at : dan@tmspromotions.ca Reprint Info: This article is freely available for reprint provided the copyright notice and resource box at the end of the article is left intact. If you are using this article in a website or eBook, please make sure that the link to www.TMSpromotions.ca is live or clickable.
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