Cotton is probably the most popular choice of natural fibre that is used in clothes, but if you have ever compared 2 or more cotton fabrics, it is likely they felt significantly different to the touch. There are so many different ways cotton can be processed to create fabrics of different weight, durability, feel and stretch, but this article will focus on Airlume cotton, how it is made and how it stands out when compared to other types of cotton.
What is Airlume Cotton?
Airlume cotton is a combed and ring-spun cotton with a higher quality and more luxurious feel than less processed cotton. It is the type of cotton you would want your favourite t-shirt to be made from, as it is exceptionally soft and durable. This step up in quality is a result of a multi-step production process and careful selection of superior fibres which yields a higher quality product.
How is Airlume Cotton Made?
To transform cotton fibres into Airlume cotton, cotton fibres are subjected to a careful process which brings out the best qualities of the cotton fibres:
Combing: After high quality fibres are selected, they are combed. This combing process removes shorter fibres and impurities. During this process, up to 25% of the raw cotton may be lost, but by selecting only the longest fibres, the durability of the resulting yarns and fabrics will be significantly improved. The yarns that can be spun from these fibres will also be more consistent and smoother, so fabrics made from them will be more comfortable to wear.
Ring-Spinning: After the cotton fibres have been combed, they are ring-spun. Ring spinning twists the fibres together into a strong yarn. This process ensures that the fibres are parallel to each other before being twisted together which gives it exceptional strength and a silky smooth feel. Open-end spun yarns are comparatively weaker. The fibres are not aligned, so the yarn is not as smooth and may have a fluffier or bunched up look. The fibres are also not as tightly twisted together, so the yarn will be weaker.
Why is Airlume Cotton Superior?
Just by learning about the processing of cotton fibres, you may already see how Airlume cotton is better than regular cotton, but let’s take a look at how it affects the quality of the final product:
Softness and Comfort
The combing in the production process results in an exceptionally soft fabric. Since the combing process removes impurities, you do not get any unexpected lumps or bumps that might make the fabric feel uneven. The fabric feels soft and smooth to the touch.
Durability
Because only the longest fibres are selected during the combing process and they are twisted together securely, each and every fibre in your fabric will be surprisingly durable. Fabrics produced using Airlume cotton are stronger, less likely to pill (this is when fibres break off and form those annoying, small, tangled balls on the surface of your shirt) or wear down over time. This means that, not only can the fabric withstand the trials of your active and adventurous lifestyle, but it can also endure repeated machine washes while maintaining its quality and appearance.
Comparing Airlume Cotton to Other Types of Cotton
Here’s a summary of the key differences between other different types of cotton:
· Regular Cotton: This is your average open-end spun cotton. It’s more likely to feel uneven due to the impurities and shorter fibres. It’s also going to be less durable due to the way the fibres are spun together and the inclusion of shorter fibres.
· Combed Cotton: This is a step up from regular cotton due to the inclusion of a combing process. The fibres in this type of cotton are combed, so they will be softer, but shorter fibres are not removed. This means the fibres will still be not as soft, prone to piling and weaker than Airlume cotton.
· Organic Cotton: Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, making it environmentally friendly. Airlume cotton can also be organic, which would satisfy the environmentally conscious of us who also value quality and comfort.
Conclusion
Airlume cotton production is the result of a careful process which has been designed to produce an exceptionally soft and durable fabric, perfect for clothes that you would like to stand the test of time. Only the longest fibres are used, resulting in a superior product that outperforms other types of cotton. When you next go shopping for a cotton shirt, ask if it’s Airlume cotton so you can be sure you’re getting something that you can wear for years to come.