Introduction

Every time you pick up a T-shirt, shirt, or bedding and see labels like “pure cotton,” “combed cotton,” or “mercerized cotton,” do you always have questions in your mind? They’re all cotton, but the prices can differ by several times, and the feel is completely different.

The answer is actually quite simple: they are the “three-stage evolution” of ordinary cotton – ordinary cotton (basic version) → combed cotton (quality upgrade version) → mercerized cotton (luxury version) .

1, Pure Cotton: Comfortable and Down-to-Earth “Basic” Cotton Yarn

What is pure cotton yarn?

100% cotton yarn is pure cotton yarn, but it only indicates that the raw material is cotton, not the quality of the cotton or the processing method. It’s like basic ingredients; you can make everyday dishes, but it’s hard to achieve a refined taste.

Core features:

✅Advantages: Natural and skin-friendly, highly breathable and sweat-absorbent, does not irritate the skin when worn next to the skin, and is inexpensive and affordable ;

❌Disadvantages: The fibers contain a lot of short fibers, making the fabric prone to wrinkling and shrinking. It will also become stiff and lose its luster after prolonged wear .

Suitable for everyday basic T-shirts, towels, affordable bed sheets, thermal underwear, etc., suitable for those who prioritize “practicality, comfort, and cost-effectiveness”.

Shopping tips: When choosing pure cotton products, prioritize weight (choose 180g or more for T-shirts and 300g or more for bedding). Higher weight means greater durability. If pure cotton yarn is used for the binding tape, it is recommended to choose styles with a weight of 200g or more to reduce deformation issues.

2, Combed Cotton: The finest quality cotton yarn

What is combed cotton yarn?

Adding a “combing” process before pure cotton spinning is like using a sieve to remove impurities, eliminating short fibers and neps, leaving only long and neat fibers for spinning. This step allows for a qualitative leap in the quality of cotton yarn.

Core features:

✅Advantages: It retains the breathability and moisture absorption of pure cotton, the fabric surface is smooth and clean, the hand feel is delicate and soft, it is not easy to pill or deform, and the shrinkage rate is greatly reduced ;

❌Disadvantages: The process is complex, and the price is 10%-30% higher than that of ordinary pure cotton. Although the wrinkle resistance is improved, it still requires occasional finishing.

Suitable for: high-quality T-shirts, polo shirts, underwear, children’s clothing, mid-to-high-end bedding, etc., it is a perfect choice for “the perfect balance of quality and cost performance”.

Identification tips: Hold the fabric up to the light to examine it; combed cotton has a uniform texture without any impurities. Rub it with your hands; it feels smooth and not rough, a quality that ordinary pure cotton lacks.

3, Mercerized Cotton: The “Luxury” Cotton Yarn of the “Aristocracy”

What is mercerized cotton yarn?

Mercerizing is an added process to combed cotton – soaking the cotton yarn in a high-concentration caustic soda solution under high temperature and tension makes the fiber structure denser and gives it a silk-like luster. If the yarn is mercerized first and then the fabric is mercerized, it becomes top-quality double-mercerized cotton.

Core features:

✅Advantages: It has a soft luster, a cool and smooth feel with a good drape, top-notch wrinkle and shrinkage resistance, vibrant colors that are not easy to fade, and durability far exceeding that of ordinary cotton;

❌Disadvantages: The price is the highest of the three (about 3-5 times that of ordinary pure cotton), and its moisture absorption is slightly lower than the other two .

Suitable for: business shirts, designer T-shirts, high-end dresses, luxury pajamas, etc., suitable for those who pursue “high-quality feel and stylish outfits”.

Shopping tips: Genuine mercerized cotton will always be labeled “100% cotton” and will feel smooth and textured to the touch, while counterfeit products often have a clogged feeling from chemical additives. High-end mercerized cotton is usually made of high-count yarn (60 count or higher), resulting in a finer texture.

Buying Guide From Aung Crown: Match Your Needs to Your Choice

For everyday practicality: Choose pure cotton to meet basic comfort needs;

For those who value quality of life: Choose combed cotton for a balance of comfort and durability;

For those seeking a more refined look: choose mercerized cotton to enhance the quality of your outfits and home décor.

Next time you buy cotton products, remember to “check the label, feel the texture, and observe the luster”: prioritize those labeled “combed cotton” or “mercerized cotton,” as the luster and smoothness of mercerized cotton can be easily distinguished from ordinary cotton!