USEFUL TIPS
What Is Supima Cotton and What Are the Benefits?
5 min read
5 min read
Cotton plays a major role in all of our lives. Chances are, most of your closet consists of clothing derived from cotton plants. Believe it or not, there are different types of cotton that are traditionally farmed — four types, to be exact. They are:
Gossypium Hirsutum
Gossypium Barbadense
Gossypium Arboretum
Gossypium Herbaceum
Organic cotton
Supima
Each type of cotton is soft in its special way, but some have different benefits than others. Whether stronger or more pliable, they each have their strengths and weaknesses.
We're going to break down cotton — the different types, and which ones are the best. By the end of this article, you're going to be a cotton expert!
What Is Cotton?
Cellulose is the main component of cotton. Being a staple fiber, cotton consists of different lengths of fibers. Cotton comes from cotton plants, a form of the genus Gossypium.
Cellulose is an insoluble organic compound, and it is soft and fluffy — this is what cotton is primarily made out of. Cotton grows best in warmer climates with minimal frost. They also require a lot of water.
Areas that rain often is ideal for cotton farming. Hence, states in the American South, such as Georgia and South Carolina, have historically been known for cotton farming. Cotton is also a common product of farms in India, Uzbekistan, and China.
Are Certain Types of Cotton Better Than Others?
There are six types of cotton, and each one has a different make-up. Some are grown in different areas, and some are sturdier than others. We're going to talk about them all.
Gossypium Hirsutum
Gossypium Hirsutum consists of 90 percent of the world's cotton usage. This type of cotton has short fibers. This cotton is used when the manufacturer looks for a pure, quality, all-natural fiber. This type of cotton is used in baby and feminine hygiene products.
Gossypium Barbadense
With Gossypium Barbadense being the second most-produced cotton, you may be surprised when you hear it only consists of eight percent of cotton production.
This type of cotton is very thin and is often used to make thin, soft clothing or bedding such as sheets or pillowcases. It is most native to South America.
Gossypium Arboretum
With Arboretum cotton sitting at only two percent of the cotton production, you shouldn't expect this cotton to be in a ton of products. It is local to India and Pakistan and is known as tree cotton.
It is very durable and is often used as cooking fabric or medical gauze in these countries.
Gossypium Herbaceum
This type of cotton is native to South Africa and is known as Levant cotton. This cotton is primarily used as yarn, making up only two percent of the global market.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is simply any kind of cotton that is grown without any chemicals or from plants that are not genetically engineered.
Last But Certainly Not Least — Supima Cotton
Supima cotton is grown in the U.S. It is represented by less than one percent of cotton grown in the world. Some explain Supima as superior cotton as it has extra-long fibers that give the cotton all of the ideal traits — strength, softness, and color retention.
Supima cotton is organic and is harvested in an eco-friendly manner.
This cotton is ideal for clothing or bedding as its extra-long fibers give it lots of strength and are much stronger than its competition. Supima cotton is remarkably durable.
Supima cotton is grown in very dry areas, such as California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This variety of cotton might just be your new favorite.
What Are the Benefits of Supima Cotton?
The benefits of Supima cotton are something to write home about, trust us; here at Miracle Made, we are kinda experts on this kind of thing.
Authenticity
When you buy Supima cotton, you can expect nothing but authenticity. When your product is labeled Supima cotton, you know it is 100% pure and eco-friendly. In contrast, you might encounter cheap cotton sheets that are made with low-quality blends of cotton and other fabrics. These are definitely worth skipping – you and your bed deserve better.
Sustainability
When purchasing anything made from cotton, it’s always wise to keep sustainability high on your priority list. With Supima cotton, you get sustainably made, eco-friendly products that are better for the planet. Since cotton production can be disastrous for the environment, choosing sustainable cotton varieties like Supima can significantly reduce your ecological footprint.
Softness
Everybody wants the softest bedding they can get. Cashmere is great for coats, but for the best in bedding collections? Oh, it’s all about Supima, full stop.
Since the fibers in Supima cotton are so long, they make for extra strong and fine yarn. This ensures anything woven with Supima cotton is softer and lighter. The result? Ultra-comfortable sheets, comforters and more that help you get the best sleep of your life.
Durability
When purchasing anything, you want to make sure it's durable. Luckily for you, Supima is known for its durability. Cotton is notorious for fraying and stretching easily, but not Supima. In addition, the threads in Supima cotton sheets have fewer loose ends, which means you’re unlikely to deal with pilling and other texture problems.
Sheets made with Supima cotton are 45 percent softer and more durable than other cotton brands. That’s a huge difference that you can feel every night when you lay your head on the pillow. Since you’re spending a significant portion of your life on your mattress, it’s worth investing in high-quality, long-lasting sheets.
Color
While the main concern about bedding is comfortability, that's not to say style shouldn't play a role either. Supima cotton has amazing color retention and will look vibrant no matter the color it's dyed.
If you’re concerned about your sheets losing their vibrant hue over time, no need to worry. You’ll notice your Supima sheets staying their original color, even after a year of washing and daily use.
Sleep is an everyday luxury, so why not do it in style?
Caring for Supima Cotton Sheets
If you want to make your Supima cotton sheets last as long as possible, make sure to wash them at least biweekly. Cotton sheets do best when washed in their own load on a relatively gentle cycle – no heavy-duty washes for your Supima bedding!
Ideally, change your Supima cotton sheets once per week and run them through the washing machine. Opt for cold or warm water – never hot – and avoid fabric softener and bleach. With those tips in mind, you’ll end up with long-lasting sheets that retain their color and softness for years.
Keep In Mind
Is cotton a bit more intricate than you've ever imagined? We bet! Knowing what cotton is best is key to ensuring you always have the softest bedding and most luxurious towels around.
Supima cotton is extra soft, durable, and pure — what more could you ask for. Supima cotton is the perfect dreamy material for drifting off to dreamland. Start buying Supima now before everyone else hears the news!
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