How does Cotton Polyester Fabric combine the advantages of cotton and polyester and what are the shortcomings? ​

1. Composition of Cotton Polyester Fabric ​
Cotton Polyester Fabric is a blend of cotton fiber and polyester fiber. Cotton fiber comes from cotton. This natural fiber has a long history of use. It is soft and comfortable to touch, just like a gentle hug given to humans by nature. It has good moisture absorption, can absorb sweat discharged from the human body, keep the skin dry, and bring a comfortable wearing experience. At the same time, the breathability of cotton fiber is also very good, which can allow air to shuttle freely in the fabric, ensure the gas exchange between the human body and the external environment, and people will not feel stuffy when wearing it. ​
Polyester fiber is a star member of the synthetic fiber family, and its scientific name is "polyester fiber". It is made by chemical synthesis and has high strength and good elastic recovery. Its molecular structure is compact and orderly, which gives the fiber strong toughness, making it not easy to break when subjected to external force, and its wear resistance far exceeds many natural fibers. Moreover, the elasticity of polyester fiber allows the fabric to quickly return to its original shape after stretching, and it is not easy to deform and lose shape, maintaining the crisp appearance of the clothing.​
When cotton fiber and polyester fiber are blended together in a certain proportion, cotton-polyester fabric is born. In the blending process, the two fibers are intertwined and fused, taking their strengths and making up for their weaknesses, forming a new fabric that combines the advantages of both. In cotton-polyester fabrics, there are usually many combinations of cotton and polyester. The most common one is that the cotton content is more than 60% and the polyester content is less than 40%. This is called cotton-polyester, also called CVC; the opposite is "polyester-cotton", that is, the polyester content is more than 60% and the cotton content is less than 40%, also called TC. Different proportions will make the fabric focus on performance to meet different usage needs. ​
2. Characteristics of cotton-polyester fabrics ​
(I) Advantages ​
Good wrinkle resistance: The high elasticity and strength of polyester fibers play a key role in wrinkle resistance. When cotton-polyester fabrics are squeezed or rubbed by external forces, polyester fibers can quickly return to their original state with their own elasticity, effectively reducing the generation of wrinkles. In contrast, although pure cotton fabrics are comfortable, they are relatively inferior in wrinkle resistance and are prone to obvious wrinkles during wearing and washing. Cotton-polyester fabrics make up for this shortcoming very well. Even after multiple wearing and washing, they can still maintain a relatively flat appearance, providing great convenience for people's daily wear. ​
High wear resistance: Due to the strong wear resistance of polyester fibers, cotton-polyester fabrics have good wear resistance overall. Whether it is friction in daily wear or frequent washing processes, cotton-polyester fabrics can withstand the test and are not prone to damage, wear, etc. This feature makes clothing and household items made of cotton-polyester fabrics have a longer service life, reduces the frequency of replacement, and is both economical and practical. For example, some workwear, sportswear and other clothing that require high wear resistance are often made of cotton-polyester fabrics to ensure that they can still maintain good condition under high-intensity use environments. ​
Excellent color fastness: During the dyeing process, cotton-polyester fabrics can better absorb and fix dyes, making the dyed colors bright and lasting and not easy to fade. This is because the chemical structure of polyester fiber is relatively stable, it has a strong affinity for dyes, and can be tightly bound to dye molecules. At the same time, the presence of cotton fiber also helps to improve the fabric's ability to adsorb dyes. Therefore, clothing or household items made of cotton-polyester fabrics can still maintain bright colors even after multiple washings and long-term use, satisfying people's pursuit of beauty. ​
Not easy to shrink: Compared with pure cotton fabrics, cotton-polyester fabrics are not easy to shrink after washing. When pure cotton fabrics come into contact with water, the fibers absorb water and expand, and then shrink after drying, resulting in a smaller fabric size. However, polyester fibers have poor hygroscopicity and do not expand and shrink significantly during the washing process like cotton fibers. Therefore, cotton-polyester fabrics can still maintain their original size and shape after multiple washings, and the fit of clothing can be maintained for a long time, reducing the trouble of clothing not fitting due to shrinkage. ​
Higher comfort: Cotton-polyester fabrics combine the softness, moisture absorption, and breathability of cotton fibers with the advantages of polyester fibers, making them more comfortable to wear. Cotton fibers can absorb sweat discharged from the human body, keep the skin dry, and avoid discomfort caused by sweat accumulation. At the same time, its good breathability allows air to circulate in the fabric, creating a comfortable microenvironment for the body. The addition of polyester fibers improves the elasticity and durability of the fabric, making the clothes more fitted and less likely to deform, further improving the comfort of wearing. For example, wearing T-shirts and shirts made of cotton and polyester fabrics in summer can make people feel cool and comfortable. ​
(II) Disadvantages​
Poor skin-friendliness: Although cotton and polyester fabrics have a certain degree of comfort, their skin-friendliness is still slightly insufficient compared to pure cotton fabrics. Pure cotton fabrics are 100% natural cotton fibers. When in contact with the skin, they give people a warm and soft feeling, which is very suitable for making underwear. Cotton and polyester fabrics contain a certain proportion of polyester fibers. This synthetic fiber has a relatively stiff touch. When in direct contact with the skin, it may make people feel not soft and comfortable enough, especially for people with sensitive skin, which may cause slight discomfort.​
Limited moisture absorption and breathability: Although cotton fiber gives cotton-polyester fabrics moisture absorption and breathability to a certain extent, polyester fiber is a hydrophobic fiber with a moisture absorption rate of only 0.4%, which greatly limits the overall moisture absorption and breathability of the fabric. In a hot and humid environment, wearing cotton-polyester clothing may make people feel stuffy, and sweat cannot be discharged in time, causing the skin surface to be wet and sticky, affecting the comfort of wearing. Especially when doing strenuous exercise or being in a high temperature environment for a long time, this discomfort will be more obvious. ​
Easy to absorb oil and dust: Polyester fiber has a strong affinity for oil and is easy to absorb oil. Moreover, during the wearing process, cotton-polyester fabrics are prone to static electricity, which will attract the surrounding dust, making the surface of the fabric easy to be stained with dirt. Once stained with oil and dust, it is relatively difficult to clean, and special detergents and cleaning methods are required to thoroughly clean it. In addition, due to the existence of static electricity, when wearing cotton-polyester clothing, there may be embarrassing situations such as clothing sticking to the body and hair adsorbed on clothing.​
No high-temperature ironing and boiling water soaking: Cotton-polyester fabrics have certain limitations in terms of maintenance. They cannot be ironed at high temperatures or soaked in boiling water. High temperatures will destroy the structure of polyester fibers, causing the fabric to deform and harden, affecting its appearance and performance. At the same time, boiling water soaking may also change the color of the fabric and reduce color fastness. Therefore, when washing and ironing cotton-polyester fabric products, it is necessary to pay special attention to temperature control and follow the washing instructions on the product label, which brings certain inconveniences to daily care. ​
Environmental issues of synthetic fibers: As a synthetic fiber, polyester fiber is difficult to degrade in the natural environment. With the continuous improvement of people's environmental awareness, the demand for degradable and environmentally friendly fabrics is increasing. Cotton-polyester fabrics contain polyester fibers. After their service life, if they are not handled properly, they may cause certain pollution to the environment. This has also become a challenge faced by cotton-polyester fabrics in terms of sustainable development. ​
III. Application fields of cotton-polyester fabrics ​
(I) Clothing field ​
Daily wear clothing: In daily wear, cotton-polyester fabrics are widely used to make various styles of clothing. For example, many common T-shirts, shirts, casual pants, etc. are made of cotton-polyester fabrics. The advantages of cotton-polyester fabrics such as wrinkle resistance, wear resistance, and good color fastness enable these garments to maintain a good appearance and shape during daily wear and washing, and are not easy to deform or fade. At the same time, its comfort level can also meet the needs of people's daily activities, and it is comfortable and decent to wear. Moreover, since the price of cotton-polyester fabrics is relatively affordable and cost-effective, it is loved by consumers. ​
Sportswear: Some sportswear also uses cotton-polyester fabrics, especially those that need to be washed frequently. During exercise, the human body sweats a lot, and has high requirements for the moisture absorption, breathability and durability of clothing. The cotton fiber in cotton-polyester fabrics can absorb sweat and provide a certain degree of breathability, allowing athletes to stay dry and comfortable during exercise. The high strength and wear resistance of polyester fibers can ensure that the clothing is not easily damaged during frequent sports friction and washing, and extend the service life of the clothing. In addition, the wrinkle resistance of cotton-polyester fabrics also makes sportswear less likely to wrinkle after wearing, maintaining a good appearance. ​
Workwear: In the field of workwear, cotton-polyester fabrics are also widely used. Work clothes usually need to be durable, easy to clean, and wrinkle-resistant to meet the needs of different working environments. The wear resistance and wrinkle resistance of cotton-polyester fabrics enable them to withstand various frictions and extrusions during work, and are not easy to break or deform. At the same time, its color fastness is good. Even after long-term use and multiple washings, the color of the work clothes can still remain bright and not fade easily. Moreover, cotton-polyester fabrics are relatively easy to clean and can quickly remove stains stained during work, providing convenience for workers. ​
(II) Household Goods Field​
Bedding: Bed sheets, pillowcases and other bedding are also often made of cotton-polyester fabrics. The softness and comfort of cotton-polyester fabrics can provide people with a good sleeping experience, allowing people to feel comfortable and relaxed during sleep. Its wrinkle-resistant properties make bedding less likely to wrinkle after use, keeping it flat and beautiful, reducing the time and effort of making the bed. In addition, cotton-polyester fabrics have good color fastness. After multiple washings, the colors of bed sheets and pillowcases are still bright, adding a warm atmosphere to the bedroom. ​
Curtains: As an important part of home decoration, curtains should not only be beautiful, but also have certain functionality. Cotton-polyester curtains have good light-shielding and decorative properties, and can effectively block sunlight and adjust the indoor light intensity. At the same time, their wrinkle-resistant, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean characteristics enable the curtains to maintain a good appearance during long-term use, and are not easy to deform or fade. Moreover, the colors and patterns of cotton-polyester fabrics are rich and varied, which can meet the aesthetic needs of different consumers and add personality and beauty to the home environment.