When it comes to cotton, there are two common names for it: Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton. What’s the difference between these fabrics, though?
There is a reason why Egyptian cotton is usually used for lining and Pima is usually used for women’s pants. Let’s get right to the point.
How Egyptian Cotton Works
Egyptian cotton comes from Egypt, as you might guess from the name. They are usually grown and picked along the Nile River, which is a very rich and fertile area of land. This lush land gives the cotton the nutrients it needs to grow into one of the best types of cotton in the world.
Egypt cotton is very good cotton because it is soft, strong, and has long strands. Because of all of these things, it is very valuable and very expensive.
This is also why Egyptian cotton is often used for bed linens and clothes. The cloth is very soft, which makes it great for making things that need to feel smooth. The material can breathe with the body, though, because it is natural. This means that you won’t wake up drenched in sweat like you would if you used fake cotton.
Sadly, a lot of products lie and say they are made with Egyptian cotton when they aren’t. Keep an eye out for a cotton plant inside a black triangle to make sure you’re buying the right fabric. If you want to update your bedding, cotton comforters are the most comfortable and stylish choice. You can choose an Egyptian cotton set or a fluffy cloud blanket that is made to be soft and airy.
This is the real mark for cotton grown in Egypt along the Nile.
Pima Cotton Talked About
It’s just as soft and lasts as long as Egyptian cotton. The material doesn’t split down the middle at this length because it doesn’t need to be linked to other strands.
Where the plants grow is the main difference between them. Arizona is the state in the United States where pima cotton is grown. Manufacturers in the US often find that Pima cotton is cheaper than Egyptian cotton because it comes from the United States. This means that less money needs to be spent on travel because the distance is shorter.
Most of the time, Pima is cheaper than Egyptian cotton, but it is also mixed with low-quality fake cotton. So, some items may correctly say they are made of Pima cotton, even if they only use 5% of it in the cotton mix.
A third type of cotton that no one expected: upland
Most of the cotton fabric in the world is made in Mexico and is called “upland cotton.” Globally, about 90% of all cotton used is Upland cotton. The United States buys the most of this fabric, buying almost 95% of what is made.
With numbers like these, it’s easy to figure out where most of the used cotton comes from. This type of cotton is mixed with most other types to make them softer, like Pima or Egyptian cotton, without having to spend as much money on a high-end fabric.
Upland cotton comes in different kinds too. Some are short staples and some are long staples. Because they are less likely to fray, long staples cost more than short ones.
Long-stapled Upland cotton is the most famous, even though short-stapled cotton is the cheapest.
Which is the best?
Egyptian cotton is the best when it comes to feel. The fact that it is the softest cotton on the market makes it very pricey. In every other way, though, Pima and Egyptian are very much the same.
These two fabrics are strong, won’t fade, are easy to dye, and will keep their color after many washes.
As long as they are taken care of, both types of cotton will also stay smooth. The real question is where you’re sending the cotton and whether you want the softest cotton possible or just a good soft cotton.
These are the only real differences between the two types of cotton, so they will tell you which one to buy.
We haven’t talked about Upland cotton yet, but that’s only because it’s not even close to as good as Pima or Egyptian. Yes, they are soft and let air flow through, but not as much as Pima or Egyptian cotton.
Summary
Is that the end of it? What’s different about these two types of cotton? The answer doesn’t make sense. Both Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton are very much the same. Egyptian, on the other hand, is a little softer and costs a lot more.
Remember that you should look for a black triangle with a cotton plant inside it if you want to buy real Egyptian cotton.
