What Is Pima Cotton? A Guide to This Soft, Durable Luxury Fabric

Pima cotton, which is also known as extra-long staple (ELS) cotton, is among the best quality type of cotton. It is named after the Pima tribe of the U.S. people, who assisted in growing and enhancing this incredibly high quality fiber.
Pima cotton is famous due to its ultra-soft feel and durability and can only grow in areas with the best climates like northern Peru, some regions of the U.S. and Australia.

The staple length is what makes Pima cotton special, as it is much longer as compared to regular cotton. This translates into silkier fibers that are extremely strong, less prone to fraying and not prone to pilling.
Peruvian Pima cotton is a high-quality product, which is likely to be linked to high-quality fabric that makes high-quality cotton products such as t-shirts, sheets, and other luxury clothes.

What Is Pima Fabric Like?

Pima fabric (Gossypium Barbadense) is described as smooth and weirdly soft. The additional long staple adds a certain touch to the smooth fabric, which makes it more luxurious and airy in comparison with the short staple cotton types.
Pima cotton material is soft, sturdy, i.e., it does not lose shape and fades, so it is a trendy or rather a luxurious selection of high-quality t-shirts, fine sheets, and light garments to dress up a baby.

Unlike upland cotton, Pima cotton fabric has been referred to as pill resistant whereby, the fabric stays smooth and durable with time. Due to the high quality and cotton fibers, Pima cotton fabrics are extremely durable even through successive washings.

Pima Cotton vs Regular Cotton

When it comes to comparing Pima cotton with ordinary cotton, the distinctions are obvious. Here is a closer comparison between the main differences:

The extra-long staple fibers in Pima cotton provide an ultra-soft and long-lasting fabric that is of better quality and lasting longer than normal cotton. Pima cotton is the right choice, especially among people who seek luxury cotton products that are durable.

How Is Pima Cotton Grown?

Pima cotton is grown in areas that offer the best weather conditions for the production of the high quality fibers. Although it grows in South America, Egypt and some parts of the U.S., the best varieties which include Peruvian Pima and Sea island cotton are found in North Peru.

The areas, which are the legendary Sea Islands and the Nile River Valley, offer the hot, sunny weather and fertile land that are necessary to grow the longer fibers of extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. Since Pima cotton is cultivated in special conditions, it is scarcer and much more costly than ordinary cotton and it is a high-end product in the domain of luxurious cotton.

Common Uses of Pima Cotton

Pima cotton is normally seen in the finest clothes and beddings due to its extremely high quality fiber and unusual softness. It is very soft, strong and durable due to its extra long staple individual cotton fibers and therefore very suitable to the customers who are interested with comfort and quality.
Do you need to update your wardrobe or desire to upgrade your home with the best beddings? Your experience will be a lot better using Pima cotton products.

Premium T-Shirts and Polos

Pima cotton t-shirts and polos are the ultimate choice when it comes to luxury everyday wear. Pima cotton t-shirts are very smooth and breathable and can be worn the whole day without causing any irritation to the skin.
The long-staple fiber cotton of Pima and Supima cotton produces a smoother and stronger fabric than ordinary cotton, and your t-shirt or polo will continue to be of high quality even after many washes.

Unlike traditional cotton, which may wear out or lose its shape over the time, Pima cotton will preserve its silky texture and rich color even long after you have bought it. The rich sensations of Pima cotton give your casual clothes an elegant touch, whether you are going to work or out on a weekend.
When you use Pima cotton, you can be assured of having invested wisely in quality t-shirts and polos not only due to their fashionable appearance but also due to their longevity.

Soft, Long-Lasting Bedsheets

Pima cotton bedsheets are the ultimate way to upgrade your sleep experience and they are extremely luxurious and comfortable. Unlike normal cotton sheets, Pima cotton is made of premium extra-long staple fibers, which gives you a smoother, softer, and stronger fabric than you have ever felt. The outcome is sheets that are not only incredibly luxurious, but also beats the test of time.

Pima cotton bedsheets are also highly breathable and thus help to control the body temperature and maintain the comfortable sleep throughout the year. Be it a warm summer night or a cold winter evening, Pima cotton adapts to your body requirements and makes you cool in a warm weather and snug in a cold weather.
It is also a high-quality material that does not pill, which means your sheets will not lose their smooth texture any time soon.

Lightweight Sleepwear and Underwear

Pima cotton sleepwear is the best combination of luxury and comfort. The material is thin, lightweight and highly breathable, and thus it is an ideal suit as a sleepwear and undergarment. Wearing Pima cotton pajamas, nightgowns or lounge wear, you will feel soft and comfy at once you get into bed.

The moisture wicking ability of Pima cotton also helps to keep you warm in the cold months and cool in the hot night. Due to the fact that the material is soft and does not irritate skin, Pima cotton sleepwear is a perfect option to people with sensitive skin as it gives comfortable nights without pain and irritation.

Baby Clothing for Sensitive Skin

Babies need to be treated very gently and Pima cotton is the best cotton to do that. Pima cotton baby clothes are made of the finest, extra long staple fibers, which are extremely soft and ideal against your baby delicate skin. Babies are more susceptible to skin irritation and thus the use of Pima cotton guarantees that their clothes will be soft, breathable, and non-abrasive.

Pima cotton gives the perfect blend of comfort and care whether it is a soft Pima cotton onesie, a warm baby blanket or a breathable baby hat. Also, since Pima cotton is hypoallergenic and does not pill, it is a safe option when the baby has sensitive skin or has conditions such as eczema. Pima cotton apparel will minimize irritation and thus your baby will be comfortable throughout the day.

Pros and Cons of Pima Cotton

Although Pima cotton has numerous advantages, it is worth noting that there are some pros and cons that one should put into consideration before purchasing one. The main advantages and disadvantages of Pima cotton are provided below:

Pros

• Ultra-soft: It provides a very soft piece of cloth, much smoother than normal cotton.
• Long-lasting: It does not fade, pill, or shrink and can therefore be used on a long-term basis.
• Breathable: Suitable to hot weather and good quality cotton garments.
• Luxurious touch: It is a favorite of people who want a luxurious texture that is soft and classy.
• Hypoallergenic: The extra-long staple cotton gives it the property of being used in sensitive skins, particularly baby clothes.

Cons

• High cost: Pima cotton is expensive, which is a factor to most people.
• Shrinkage risk: Although it is normally tough, Pima cotton can shrink in case it is not pre-shrunk.
• Not necessarily organic: Pima cotton products are not necessarily organic, and this is a matter of concern to environmentally-sensitive consumers.

Pima Cotton vs Egyptian Cotton vs Supima

When comparing Pima cotton with other high-quality types of cotton, such as Egyptian and Supima cotton, it is necessary to mention differences between them:

• Egyptian Cotton: This is a luxury cotton, which is produced in Egypt and other parts of North Africa, especially the Nile River. It has long staple fibers that are similar to the Pima cotton, and is usually more commonly utilized in bedding rather than in cotton clothing. The American Egyptian cotton sheets are highly valued because of their opulence and silky touch.
• Supima Cotton: It is a trademark of Pima cotton that is cultivated only in the United States. Supima ensures quality commitment and originality. It is usually considered to be the gold standard of luxurious blended fabrics and it is present in an astronomically huge assortment of products such as Pima cotton t-shirts and luxury Pima cotton sheets.

How to Care for Pima Cotton

Pima cotton is an investment in quality and therefore the care tips given below will take some time to follow but will allow you to keep the smooth texture, softness of Pima cotton and long-lasting durability. To maintain your Pima cotton garments, bedding and other products in the best condition, here is what you should do:

• Cold water or warm water: When you are washing Pima cotton fabrics, you should always use cold/warm water, not hot. The fibers can be made weak by warm water and can shrink or get damaged in the long term. That will ensure that your Egyptian or Pima cotton will remain soft and luxurious wash after wash.
• Mild detergent: The Pima cotton fibers are delicate and strong detergents can strip the natural oils contained in the fabric making it lose its silky and soft nature. Take a mild detergent, which is bleach free and free of harsh chemicals. This will help in maintaining the integrity of the Pima cotton, hence it will not lose its luxury and breathing capability.
• Drying should be without high-heat: High-heat drying can make Pima cotton shrink, lose its shape and become less smooth. Instead, your Pima cotton products should be dried out by laying flat or hanging to dry.
• Low heat ironing: Pima cotton is wrinkle resistant because it has long and strong fibers as compared to regular cotton. However, in case you find out that your Pima cotton piece needs some slight repair, set your iron to low heat level.

Final Thoughts: Is Pima Cotton Worth It?

Anyone who wants luxuriously soft fabric that provides durability in the long term will find Pima cotton is well worth the investment. No matter what kind of dress shirts, cotton sheets, or clothes you need, Pima cotton has excellent comfort, durability and strength.
It is more expensive than the normal cotton, but its superb quality and silkiness makes it the best option to the people who want high quality cotton materials. Visit Yanmao Textile Technology CO., LTD and find out the advantages of our Pima cotton products!