Just as there are many variations of other fabrics, there are also many variations of cotton. Pima cotton is one such variation. Pima cotton is the softest and strongest type of cotton in the world. This type of cotton has an extra long fiber length. Pima cotton is known for its durability and is used in towels, sheets and clothing.
Where does pima cotton come from?
Pima cotton is named after an American Indian tribe that first cultivated these cotton plants on a large scale. A farm in Arizona (Southwest America) developed a very strong and soft cotton with long fibers. This type of cotton was then named after the American Pima Indians. Nowadays pima cotton is also grown in Australia and Peru.
Difference with regular cotton
The biggest differences between regular cotton and pima cotton are the strength of the fiber, the fineness of the fiber and the fiber length. Pima cotton has a stronger and finer fiber than regular cotton. Pima cotton also has a much longer fiber length. The fibers of pima cotton are 35% longer than the fibers of normal cotton. This ensures that the fabric is softer and shines more. The color of products made from pima cotton remains beautiful longer. This is because pima cotton absorbs and retains the color better.
Similarities with Egyptian cotton
Pima cotton can be compared to Egyptian cotton. Egyptian cotton and pima cotton are both types of cotton that absorb more moisture than other types of cotton. This is made possible by the fine weave. The two types of cotton also have good quality. Pima cotton sometimes has a slightly shorter fiber length than Egyptian cotton.
Sustainability
Pima cotton is known for its durability. Pima cotton lasts much longer than other types of cotton. This is because the fibers of pima cotton are stronger than regular cotton fibers. Moreover, pima cotton is environmentally friendly. The production of pima cotton is less harmful to the environment than that of other cotton types.
Clothing
Pima cotton is sold in the Netherlands, among other places. H&M, for example, has a separate line with basic shirts made of pima cotton. Pima cotton is mainly used in shirts, underwear and socks. Clothing made of pima cotton is soft and retains its shape for a long time. Pima cotton is a light fabric, but provides a lot of warmth. A fabric that consists of 100% pima cotton is called superior pima. Pima cotton is often used in combination with other fabrics. Pima cotton is used in combination with elastic in socks, otherwise the sock will slip off. Pima cotton clothing often consists of 95% pima cotton and 5% elastane. Elastane is a synthetic fiber with great elasticity.
Advantages and disadvantages
The big advantage of pima cotton is its quality. The fabric is very strong and does not wear out quickly. Pima cotton is also very soft and it is a fabric that is light, but still provides a lot of warmth. A disadvantage of pima cotton is that it absorbs a lot of moisture. The high absorbency of pima cotton ensures that stains form more easily in the fabric. If you sweat a lot, this will be more visible if you wear a garment made of pima cotton. This also makes it more difficult to remove stains from clothing.
