Cotton(Cellulose/vegetable fibre) Grade 10 Term 3 Week 4 Lesson 2 Cotton(Cellulose/vegetable fibre)

Origin of Cotton Natural fibre Found in seed pods of the cotton plant Conventional cotton is environmentally friendly

Desirable properties of Cotton Is durable – surface will not damage if rubbed Good conductor of heat – cool to wear Very absorbent –comfortable to wear Because absorbent - No static electricity Strong fibre –stronger when wet Because absorbent –colours well 100% biodegradable

Less desirable properties of cotton Cotton will shrink with first wash Poor resilience –will wrinkle easily Mildew and bacteria damage cotton Silverfish will eat it –if heavily starched Burns very easily – smells like paper burning

Cotton mark 100 % Cotton Blend -60% Cotton

Uses of Cotton

Linen (Cellulose/vegetable fibre)

Origin of Linen It is made of flax fibres Flax is a woody fibre – from the bast of plants Conventional flax fibres – need a lot of processing before it can be used for fabrics

Desirable properties of Linen Strong – stronger when wet Withstand rubbing when washed Resistant to sunlight - excellent as curtains Moth-resistant Good conductor of heat – cool to wear Very absorbent Does not build up static electricity

Less desirable properties of Linen Difficult to iron No resilience - wrinkles badly Damaged by mildew and bacteria when stored in humid atmosphere Will shrink unless treated

Uses of Linen