Mercerized fabrics are famous for their color, strength, durability, longevity, and shine. Have you ever wondered why some fabrics shine and have more strength than others? This magical change applies to mercerized fabrics. The merchandiserization process makes ordinary clothes shine, durable, and highly absorbent. This fabric plays a role in elevating clothes and textile quality.
Are you conscious of needing more information about mercerized fabric? Then, today’s article is only for you.
What are Mercerized Fabrics?
Mercerized cotton, also known as ‘pearl’ or ‘etched’, is a popular process for cotton fabric. This cotton is different from regular cotton because of its durability, comfort, and shine. When regular cotton is treated with caustic soda to bring out certain properties, it is called mercerized cotton.
What is the History of Mercerized Fabric?
John Mercer was a British chemist and calico printer. He first invented the mercerization process in 1844. He sought an amazing way. This fabric is named mercerized cotton for John Mercer.
But you would be surprised that the silk-like luster commonly used as mercerized fabric wasn’t part of John Mercer’s original process. Now, most people use Horase Lowe’s technique. He invented the idea that it is produced by applying tension to the cotton during treatment in 1890. Significantly, this tension prevents the material from shrinking.
However, it is known for some features such as greater absorption, long-lasting colors, strength, and a high degree of luster. On the market, you can see higher-quality cotton that is all mercerized.
Process of Mercerized Fabrics
In the textile industry, merchandising is a wet processing process. In this process, keep cotton in the form of fabric in a caustic soda solution. One should notice the concentration range of 20–22% and the appropriate temperature of 20–60 degrees Celsius. And another thing is that those cottons should drown for four or five minutes under a fixed pressure. This whole process is known as a mercerized process.
Features of Mercerized Cotton Fabric
There are some amazing features of mercerized fabrics. Let’s see what features distinguish special mercerized fabric from other fabrics.
- Increase strength and durability.
- Improve fabric longevity.
- Shine and sparkle
- Cotton fibers are strong.
- Improve absorption
- Feel softer
- Reduced shrinking
Let’s discuss these features briefly below:
1. Strength and durability
Mercerized fabrics increase strength and durability. It makes cotton fibers more resistant to wear and tear. Do you know what it means? It means that your garments will look new and feel great for a longer time.
2. Fabric longevity
This cotton has more longevity than regular cotton. It lasted a long time because it reduced pilling and fraying, improved resistance to stretching, enhanced clothing color, and elevated tear strength, as well as improved moisture absorption. As a result, you get a polished look for longer, maintain the garment’s shape over time, keep your clothes vibrant wash after wash, and give you comfort. It not only provides durability for frequent wear but also prevents fabric damage. For those reasons, people who value longevity and quality in their clothes are their first choice.
3. Shine and sparkle
Your favorite mercerized cotton not only gives you longevity and durability but also gives you shine and sparkle in your outfit. It creates an elegant look and makes you different from others. This invention makes your outfit more smooth, shines, and has a glossy finish that creates high-quality garments and linens. When you wear it, you may feel elegant and luxurious.
4. Color and absorption
We all notice that this fabric absorbs moisture and gives it a vibrant color. This color stays long-lasting. For those reasons, you can choose it to make you special.
5. Feel smooth, soft, and comforted.
Those who use this fabric review that “when they wear it, they feel smooth, soft, and comfortable.”
Consumer Benefit
If you purchase mercerized fabric, you will benefit. Because of its enhanced strength, color, and shine. This fabric has a lot of advantages, such as:
- This fabric is more durable than regular fabric.
- It creates a luxurious, elegant, and stylish look with its smooth and lustrous finish.
- Its color system is outstanding. It holds color and keeps your clothes new wash after wash.
- This fabric quality is much better than any other fabric.
- If you take proper care of it, this garment will last a long time.
So, as a consumer, you will be satisfied to buy this fabric.
How to Wash Mercerized Cotton
The most significant advantage of mercerizing cotton is that the fabric is less likely to shrink during steaming after being woven. Also, the fabric’s ability to accept dyes makes it colorful. As a result, the fabric is not prone to fading.
Now it is necessary to know how to wash mercerized fabric.
Hand Wash
First, the item is hand-washable. But it is time-consuming. To avoid shrinkage, you should go through the drying process. Hand wash’s first step is to soak cotton in cold water for 1-2 hours. Then you should roll it with a towel to remove access water. Once damp, they are ironed to smooth out the rest of the bullies.
Machine wash
Both hand washing and machine washing are preferable. When you choose machine washing, hot water must be used. The next process is drying until there is a small amount of moisture. And the last part is iron.
FAQ:-
Are mercerized cotton and regular cotton the same?
No, regular cotton seems to be a common cotton, but mercerized cotton is quite different for its better color, longevity, strength, and many more.
What did we do when mercerized cotton wrinkled?
When mercerized cotton is made, use wrinkle-resist technology. So, you would be happy to know that it never wrinkled. Just give it a shake and you can wear it.
Is this fabric easy to wash?
You can wash it with common cotton. Both hand washing and machine washing are preferable.
Conclusion
Mercerized fabrics go through a process. Through this process, regular cotton would have stronger luster and absorption. As a result, we get smooth and shiny fabrics that give us comfort. So, next time you go shopping, you must purchase mercerized fabric.
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