Polyester vs. Cotton: Differences & Uses

Cotton and polyester are two of the most widely used materials today. And while you’ll find one (or both) of them listed on tags throughout your home and closet, they serve different purposes. For example, cotton is commonly used for leisurewear, while polyester is better for activewear.

However, it’s not always that simple. Let’s dive into the polyester vs. cotton conversation to shine more light on these two materials. 

What Is Cotton? 

Cotton and polyester are two of the most widely used materials today. And while you’ll find one (or both) of them listed on tags throughout your home and closet, they serve different purposes. For example, cotton is commonly used for leisurewear, while polyester is better for activewear.

However, it’s not always that simple. Let’s dive into the polyester vs. cotton conversation to shine more light on these two materials. 

What Is Polyester?

Believe it or not, the fabric we call polyester is technically a human-made plastic. Its full name is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but don’t let the terminology scare you off: polyester is a safe and reliable material.

In the design world, polyester is a catch-all term that refers to any synthetic material made from polyester yarns. These yarns are made by melting PET pellets and forcing the substance through pinprick holes. 

After the resulting strands cool and harden, they can be dyed and woven into clothes, seatbelts, furniture covers and more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Polyester

When compared to cotton, polyester is a relatively recent invention. As such, it’s essentially the culmination of hundreds of years of modern technology and ingenuity. Here are some of the benefits of polyester:

• Its production is controlled and affordable – From start to finish, polyester production occurs in a controlled factory. One of the added benefits of this control is the ease of mass production. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon can be produced in bulk, so they are cheaper to make than some other materials.

• It’s versatile – Polyester has countless uses in dozens of industries, and it even blends well with other fabrics (including cotton). Polyester also responds well to dying; printing techniques like dye sublimation can quickly and reliably add vivid colors and designs to polyester apparel.

• It’s durable – The strong, flexible yarn that makes up polyester garments lasts for years and years.

To give you the full picture, here are some of the drawbacks of using polyester:

• Many polyesters don’t absorb moisture – Because polyester repels water, sweat and moisture remain on the body. However, in some use cases (such as windbreakers and athletic gear), polyester’s water resistance is an advantage.

Not all polyester is created equal, so selecting a manufacturer that can provide fabrics for your needs is very important. The high-performance tech fabrics we use at Equipe have breathability and moisture wicking built into them.

• It often requires petroleum – Traditional polyester is derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. With that said, advances in technology have made non-petroleum polyester possible.

What Is Polyester Best For?

Because polyester is a quick-drying material, it’s best for products that interact with moisture, such as:

• Activewear
• Dresses, skirts, pants and blouses
• Swimwear
• Footwear
• Raincoats, parkas and fleece sweaters

Top athletes worldwide wear polyester based garments now due to the advances in breathability and moisture management. Additionally, polyester works well in various fashion settings, as it’s incredibly customizable.

What Is Cotton?

Cotton is a soft, natural material made from the fibers of the cotton plant. At the microscopic level, cotton—like most other plant fibers—is made of a collection of carbohydrates known as cellulose.

The fluffy cotton you see growing in fields is harvested, cleaned and compressed before being spun into yarn. That yarn can then be dyed or treated before being woven into textiles.

In addition to the fabric known as cotton (which we’ll be discussing today), manufacturers can also turn cotton fibers into denim, canvas, flannel and more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cotton

Whether you’re a consumer or a manufacturer, there’s plenty to like about cotton. Here are a few of the best parts of using it:

• It’s natural – Cotton plants are as natural as trees or strawberry bushes. It’s also possible to find certified organic cotton, grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.

• It’s hypoallergenic – For those with sensitive skin, cotton is an ideal fabric choice.

• It’s breathable – Cotton fabric is made by weaving cotton yarn together. The small gaps between the fibers allow air to circulate, making it a comfortable option in warmer climates.

However, cotton is far from a perfect material. Like many things in life, the material comes with its share of drawbacks:

• It’s an imperfect clothing material – Garments made from cotton are more prone to shrinkage, wrinkling, fading and discoloration. Additionally, because cotton comes from plant fibers, it’s not as durable as other fabrics.
• Cotton also absorbs water, like a towel – While cotton is great for low impact activities, it’s terrible for activities that make you sweat. 
• It requires a lot of water to produce – Cotton starts as a plant, and plants need water to grow. Some experts suggest that more water goes toward growing cotton than any other agricultural product.
• It takes up agricultural space – Cotton fields take up acres of land that might otherwise be used for food. What’s more, cultivating cotton can degrade the quality of the soil. Degradation means that, eventually, cotton cultivators will need to move their production to new tracts of land—and the old land will lack the nutrients to grow new crops.

Although cotton is a natural material, it’s not always naturally sustainable. Cotton producers must take special care to avoid soil degradation, pesticide runoff and overuse of water.

What Is Cotton Best For?

Cotton is a versatile material that can be woven loosely (for lightweight materials) or tightly (for heavier high thread count products). As such, cotton is ideal for:

• Sheets, towels and pillowcases
• Home textiles (such as rugs and curtains)
• Undergarments
• Sleepwear
• Leisurewear

Polyester vs. Cotton: A Detailed Breakdown

Still wondering whether you should go for polyester or cotton? Let’s compare the two side by side:

CATEGORY	COTTON	POLYESTER
Abrasion Resistant?	No	Yes
Breathability	Very breathable	Yes, depending on weave
Care Instructions	Easy to care for. Can be washed and dried cold or warm. Can be ironed when damp on high heat. Suitable for dry cleaning.	Easy to care for. Can be washed, dried and ironed on low heat settings. Not suitable for dry cleaning.
Comfort	Soft, lightweight and breathable	Smooth, lightweight, silky and quick-drying
Cost	Inexpensive	Inexpensive
Durability	Medium. Will last, but is more prone to shrinking, fading and discoloration.	Strong. Resistant to shrinking, stretching and chemical damage.
Flammability	Burns readily	Heat resistant up to certain temperatures, after which it melts and burns at the same time
Mildew Resistant?	No	Yes
Natural or synthetic?	Natural	Synthetic
Odor Resistant?	Somewhat	Oil absorption can retain odors
Printing Methods	Screen printing, digital printing	Dye sublimation
Recyclable?	Yes	Yes
Stretchable?	No	Yes, when blended with fabrics like lycra and spandex
Use Cases	Household textiles, leisure wear, bedsheets	Athletic wear, swimwear, footwear, coats and jackets
Elasticity	Low	High – snaps back into shape after stretching
UV Resistant?	When unbleached	Yes
Versatility	Can be mixed with synthetic fibers	Can be mixed with natural fibers
Warmth	Depends on the weave	Low
Water-Resistant?	No. Cotton absorbs moisture.	Yes
Wrinkle-Resistant?	No	Yes

Print Vivid Polyester Designs At Equipe Athletics

If you’re looking to print graphics or designs onto a garment, opt for polyester over cotton. Polyester is the best fabric for dye sublimation printing—the industry-leading process we use to customize high-performance apparel and teamwear.

At Equipe, we turn your wildest designs into ready-to-wear garments. Whether you’re looking to start a clothing line or customize your team’s uniforms, we can make it happen in-house.

To find out more and see your vision come to life, request a free quote today.