The Battle Between Fabrics-Rayon VS Cotton

Today we are going to share with you the comparison between rayon and cotton,let's started from one story.

Recently a shipment of sweet nightgowns from April Cornell has been unpacked . Some of the nighties are classic cotton flannel. Others are silky fabrics, soft and cozy, perfect for the cooler nights in November. We thought the material was cotton.

It's checked out that these nighties are made from rayon.

“Isn't rayon a synthetic material, hot and sticky, prone to shrinking?”

We've done some homework and here is what we found.

Rayon is a breathable, man-made fibre made from naturally occurring materials.

Although it is technically ‘man-made,’ it is not considered synthetic because the fabric is regenerated cellulose fibre from plant materials, usually wood pulp.

Fibre experts from Ohio State University have undertaken to correct misunderstandings about rayon.

Their research has validated the claim that rayon is more moisture absorbent than cotton (so more comfortable on a hot day or on a hot sleeper).

Cotton naturally wicks perspiration away from the skin, out to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate. That's how cotton helps you stay cool.

As rayon can absorb more moisture than cotton, it has the potential to cool you more as well. Ultimately, the cut and style of your garment has the most impact on staying cool.

On a hot day or night, being wrapped up in a tight rayon or cotton anything (dress, blouse, skirt or nightie) will trap more perspiration from body heat than the fabric can wick away.

Rayon is a fabulous imitator and is used to create silk, linen and wool look-a-likes. The textures and feel of those materials are closely mimicked. It dyes easily and evenly, and is colourfast.

The rayon in our April Cornell nightgowns is similar to a silk jersey material: soft, silky and very pretty.

Machine wash and hang dry to keep that nightie looking its best.

We do suggest you avoid blends, as something is lost in the blending process. When cotton is blended with polyester to give it stretch or a better fit, the garment will not be as cool as some of those cooling properties are forfeited when polyester is added. The same is true when polyester, nylon or acrylic is added to rayon. It just isn’t the same material any longer and will not have the cool comfort you expect.

One more word of caution: if a material is ‘wrinkle free’ or ‘wrinkle resistant,’ it has been treated with chemicals to be that way, usually PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals), not something you really want next to your skin all day or night. Even sheets are sometimes sold as wrinkle resistant.

Cool nights are here. We've got you covered with cotton flannel or silky rayon nighties and robes.