65 polyester 35 cotton – what kind of fabric, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

You may come across labels that read "65% polyester, 35% cotton" when shopping for clothing. However, what does this blend actually mean? With the softness and breathability of cotton and the durability of polyester, this kind of fabric offers the best of both worlds. It’s a well-liked option for a variety of apparel items, including workwear and casual t-shirts.

Polyester is renowned for being strong, resistant to wrinkles, and having a quick drying time. Conversely, cotton is praised for its natural feel, comfort, and softness. Manufacturers combine these two fibers to create a fabric that is long-lasting, easy to maintain, and comfortable to wear.

Like any fabric, this blend has advantages and disadvantages. Some may find it less breathable than pure cotton or less durable than 100% polyester, despite the fact that it offers a great balance between comfort and durability. Knowing the features of this fabric blend will help you choose clothes that fit your needs more effectively.

Description and main characteristics

The material has excellent mechanical and physical qualities thanks to the synthetic component, and its cotton fibers contribute to its good hygienic qualities. Below is more information about the properties of polycotton in greater detail.

Name Polycotton/Polycotton
Natural or synthetic Blended
Weave Plain, satin or twill
Structure Smooth
Dyeing Single-color, single-color bleached, with a printed pattern
Air permeability Average
Capillary Below average
Wrinkle resistance Low
Edge fraying Low
Shrinkage Almost none
Color retention High
Elasticity Average
Dimensional stability High
Resistance to wear and mechanical damage High
Drapability Good

Polycotton costs vary depending on the producer. The USA produces the priciest textiles. Pakistani products are the most popular because they are less expensive than theirs but still have good quality indicators.

China supplies the market with the least expensive samples. However, their quality is lacking significantly because. These materials contain far more synthetic material than 65%. They wear out quickly and are nearly airtight.

Fabric with a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton offers the best qualities from both worlds. Cotton adds breathability and softness, while polyester adds durability, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying qualities. Because of its comfort and ease of care, this blend is popular in everyday clothing. It can hold odors longer than natural fabrics and is less breathable than pure cotton, despite being stronger and less prone to shrink. Selecting the appropriate clothing for your needs is made easier when you are aware of the features of this fabric.

Appearance and properties of the material

Blending the best features of synthetic and natural fabrics, polycotton is composed of 35% cotton and 65% polyester. It feels smooth and pleasant to the touch, but it’s also permeable and "breathable." It hardly wrinkles, shrinks very little in the washing machine, and doesn’t fade.

The fabric is resilient to both mechanical harm and UV rays. Because of the tight weave, the threads stay in place and the fabric’s density remains constant throughout use. Furthermore, polycotton virtually never absorbs dirt, so you can clean the product quickly and without using harsh chemicals.

Types of material

Any variety of polycotton contains both cotton and polyester. The percentage of different fiber types explains the difference. The three most prevalent types of material are as follows in terms of the ratios of natural and synthetic components:

This element influences the fabric’s properties and price. It costs more and has higher hygiene indicators the more cotton there is in the composition.

Some samples that are "almost identical to natural materials" and only contain 5–10% synthetics may be available on the domestic market, according to sellers. This is unlikely to be the case, though, as using polyester in such tiny amounts is unfeasible because it has no effect.

Types of polycotton are distinguished not only by composition but also by processing method. It is quiltable, bleachable, and colorable. The range of applications for a given fabric depends on its type. Thus, while bleached material is used to sew bed linens, quilted material is primarily used to sew blankets, pillows, mattresses, mattress pads, and covers. And a broad range of products are sewn using colored polycotton.

Application areas of fabric

Apart from being used to make home textiles, mixed material is also sewn into the following kinds of products:

  • T-shirts and vests;
  • sweatshirts and tracksuits;
  • men"s and women"s shirts;
  • medical uniforms and other types of workwear;
  • slings for infants.

Therefore, polycotton can be used to produce textiles, the primary characteristics of which should be their visual appeal, their comfort during use, and their ability to withstand high mechanical loads without deteriorating.

Advantages and disadvantages of polycotton

We can conclude that the fabric has many benefits given its popularity and wide range of applications. These consist of the following attributes:

  • hygiene and good air permeability;
  • softness and comfort in use;
  • strength, resistance to wear and tear;
  • high density, at which the threads do not shift and do not form thinned areas over time;
  • ease in cutting and processing, the fabric does not crumble and does not slip;
  • low creasing;
  • ability to maintain shape and color after many washes;
  • resistance to fading;
  • lightweight and undemanding in care;
  • absence of deep creases during long-term storage in folded form;
  • easy to clean from dust and stains, dense weave does not allow dirt to penetrate deeply into the structure of the fabric, and they remain on the surface;
  • variety of colors.

Positive attributes are more prevalent in fabrics of higher quality. There are drawbacks to the same circumstance. They are more noticeable when materials with an artificial fiber content over the ideal level—more than 65%—are used.

The following characteristics are the main drawbacks of polycotton with a high synthetic content:

  • poor air and water permeability;
  • excessive looseness of the surface;
  • tendency to form pellets;
  • high electrostaticity, when the fabric literally “sticks”.

These flaws are rarely seen and less noticeable when using premium polycotton.

Aspect Description
Composition 65% polyester, 35% cotton blend
Characteristics Durable, wrinkle-resistant, soft, breathable
Advantages Easy to care for, long-lasting, less prone to shrinkage
Disadvantages Can feel less natural, less breathable than pure cotton

Blends of polyester and cotton, especially the 65% polyester and 35% cotton ratio, provide a useful compromise between comfort and durability. Because it resists shrinking and wrinkles easily, this fabric is used extensively in many kinds of apparel.

The blend’s ability to keep cotton’s softness while incorporating polyester’s strength and resilience is one of its main advantages. Because it retains its shape and color even after repeated washings, it’s a great option for everyday wear.

Like any fabric, it does have some disadvantages, though. It offers less comfort and breathability than 100% cotton, even though it breathes better than pure polyester. This can be an issue for people with sensitive skin or in hotter climates.

All things considered, 65/35 polyester-cotton fabric is a flexible choice that suits a variety of apparel requirements. If you’re searching for a fabric that combines ease of care with comfort, this is a good option, but you should consider its drawbacks in light of your own requirements.

Video on the topic

Summer lightweight "Combat" suit (Tetris shirt). Composition: 65% Polyester 35% Cotton.

Outdoor curtains for the veranda. Turkey fabric. 65% cotton. 35% polyester . Teflon impregnation.

What fabric do you most often choose for home textiles?
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Sergey Litvinov

I have been working in the field of textile art for over 20 years. I am passionate about textile design and create unique things inspired by traditions and modern trends. In my articles, I talk about how you can use fabrics to create unique and stylish things with your own hands.

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