In the world of clothing, fabric is just as important as design. Choosing the right textile can have a significant impact on the look and feel of a garment, as well as its long-term durability. Among the many materials that are available, pima cotton stands out. This cotton is known for its softness, durability, and strength, making it one of the finest cotton fibers in the world.
A higher-end cotton, Pima cotton is primarily grown in Peru, the United States, and Australia. Pima cotton is known for its extra long fibers that are twice as long as regular cotton fibers, and is named after the Pima tribe who first developed the cotton in the southwestern United States. Materials and garments made from Pima cotton are strong, ultra-soft, comfortable, and durable due to the length of these fibers. The overall level of quality, as well as the expertise and sustainable standards behind the production of Pima cotton, is one of the main draws to this kind of cotton, particularly the one produced in Peru.
There are numerous benefits associated with Pima cotton:
- There is an incredible level of softness to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear for a long period of time.
- Due to its high level of resistance to pilling, tearing, and stretching, it will last substantially longer than other types of cotton.
- It is highly breathable and absorbent, as well as hypoallergenic. It is also beneficial for regulating body temperature in warm weather allowing you to remain cool and comfortable.
- It is highly breathable and absorbent, as well as hypoallergenic. It is also beneficial for regulating body temperature in warm weather allowing you to remain cool and comfortable.
- This textile retains its color vibrancy even after multiple washings due to its high fading resistance.
There is another term that comes to mind when it comes to Pima cotton: Supima cotton. Have you ever heard of it? What are the characteristics of Supima cotton compared with Pima cotton? Do either of these cottons have any significant differences?
Pima cotton on one hand is known as one of the finest cottons, having an extra-long staple length, which makes it highly durable and absorbent. Supima® on the other hand is the trademark used to promote American-grown, extra-long staple cotton. All Supima cotton is therefore Pima cotton. But all Pima cotton may not be registered as Supima cotton.
California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico are the only states that grow Supima cotton in the United States. It is most commonly used in the manufacture of bedsheets and towels for luxury hotels, as well as other high quality and expensive items.
Tips for preserving your favorite Pima cotton clothing so it will last as long as possible.
- HAND WASH: Whenever possible, wash Pima Cotton by hand, using cool water as it prevents fading and shrinking. Avoid using hot water and the tumble dryer unless you wish for your tee to fit a bit smaller. Washing in hot water may cause the fabric to shrink up to 1 inch.
- MACHINE WASH: Pima Cotton can be machine washed, although we recommend setting it at 30°C on a gentle cycle and washing it inside out to prevent fading. Separate coloured and white clothes to ensure color transfer. Fabric softeners are not recommended, as they may also fade the color. Don't forget to take care of the planet, wash less! Even if it’s a faint odor or a small stain in your garment, there are many ways to avoid using the washing machine. According to the Cleaning Institute, to remove a stain you have to deal with it as soon as possible. Then, pre-treat with a stain remover, let it soak in and last but not least, if the stain isn’t removed on the first try, go through the stain removal process again and do not put it in the dryer until the stain is gone, avoid using the dryer until the stain is completely removed.
Remember to wash with proper care doing that will extend the life of your favorite garments and also minimize the negative impact of washing on our clothes and the earth. - DRYING: We recommend air drying Pima Cotton garments as they will last longer and prevent unwanted shrinking. Machine drying at a low heat normally will not result in unwanted shrinking. If you intend to dry the garment by placing it in the dryer, please remove it before it is completely dry, and finish drying by laying flat on a clean surface.
Did you know that the average clothes dryer in our homes today uses more energy that most other home devices? So we encourage you to avoid using this machine, opt for eco-conscious alternatives like line-drying, hand-drying, and laying out flat to dry. - IRONING: The best way to avoid ironing your garment is to air dry it immediately after washing it. If you find that you must iron the top, use a cool setting.
Instead of using an iron we recommend using a steamer because of many reasons: it is less time-consuming, reduces the risk of damage of delicate fabrics while still resulting in wrinkle-free clothing and it helps get rid of most smells without using the washing machine. Also, to avoid using a steamer and iron, hang your wrinkly clothes in your bathroom during a hot shower.
As people become increasingly aware of how important it is to protect the environment and appreciate sustainable initiatives, we promote the use of environmentally friendly practices in all spheres, including fashion. Thus, you should begin wearing "clothes that matter" by choosing eco-friendly ways to wash high quality clothes