How to Tell If Fabric Is 100% Cotton: Simple Tests

How to tell if fabric is 100% cotton: look at it closely, burn a small sample or test how fast it absorbs water, then wash and store it the right way.

First published on 14/04/2020 on the former monamie.vn. Prices and promotions may have changed — our stylists will confirm current details.

How to identify cotton fabric

Identifying by eye:

Genuine cotton knit fabric: because it is made of cotton fibers, it feels soft, smooth and cool to the touch, absorbs moisture extremely quickly and wrinkles easily when crumpled.

How to identify cotton fabric and know it is truly 100% cotton.

Blended knit fabric: it does not wrinkle when crumpled. It looks glossy and handsome, and the weave looks even. It feels highly durable.

Using the heat method

With this method, we take a sample of cotton fabric and burn it.

For 100% cotton fabric: because it is made entirely of natural fibers, when burned the fabric gives off a smell of wood and not of plastic. The char is pink and, when crushed, is soft and fine and disappears completely.

For cotton-blend fabric: the fabric is blended with PE (polyester), so when burned you will notice a slight smell of plastic. The stronger the acrid smell of plastic, the more polyester is in the blend. After burning, part of it will clump, and the proportion that clumps corresponds to the blend ratio.

Distinguishing cotton fabric

Distinguishing by water absorption

For 100% cotton fabric: the fabric absorbs water very quickly and evenly across the surface.

Blended fabric: because PE is added, water absorption is slow and uneven across the fabric surface.

Cleaning and care guide

For 100% cotton fabric, especially fine shirts: do not soak in soap for too long

If soaked too long, the color of the fabric and any patterns on it will fade. So we should soak for only a few minutes, or simply wash right away.

Sort before washing

This is a necessary and important step before washing. Keep white clothes separate from clothes of other colors. This prevents the colors from bleeding into each other during washing and ruining your clothes.

Do not use overly strong detergents

Use a pH-neutral detergent. Chemicals that are too strong will reduce the durability of the fabric. Clothes wear out and deteriorate quickly, and the color fades and turns blotchy easily.

Dry in an airy place, away from harsh sun

Dry clothes in airy, cool places so that your clothing keeps its durability for as long as possible.

That is some information about cotton, a fabric commonly used today. We hope that, with Mon Amie's sharing, customers will know how to identify the right type of fabric when buying, so they can purchase the right goods at a good price. Choose outfits that are comfortable and of good quality.