The key difference between silk and cotton is that silk has an animal origin since it’s produced from silkworms, while cotton has a plant origin.
Cotton and silk are top raw materials in the textile industry and have numerous uses. Both these textiles are used in furnishing houses and making bedspreads, sheets, and pillowcases. They are long-lasting. Silk is firmer than cotton, but cotton can survive in harsh conditions. Moreover, silk has a shimmery colourful look since it redirects the rays of light that fall on it. Therefore, it is generally used in partywear.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Silk
3. What is Cotton
4. Silk vs Cotton in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Silk vs Cotton
What is Silk
Silk is the strongest natural protein fibre. It mainly contains fibroin and is a shimmering textile. Silk has a satin texture, and it is considered a luxurious fabric. It is produced using the cocoon of the silkworms, which are small creatures usually living on mulberry leaves.
The global average silk production is about 80,000 tons per year, and around 70% of it is made in China. Therefore, China is the world’s biggest and main supplier of silk. Chinese silk production dates back to the Neolithic era, and the oldest silk example date back to 3630 BC. Other than China, countries like Brazil, India, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, and Iran are involved in the silk production industry.
There are various types of silk varieties. Mulberry silk is one such type that is produced around the world, especially in Japan, China, and Korea. This type of silk needs extra care to maintain its smooth texture. Another type is Nephila madagascariensis, which is made using various spider species and has more durability. Because of this, it is used in producing bulletproof vests and wear-resistant clothes. This variety is very difficult to produce since spiders do not produce much silk, and they cannot be bred like silkworms. Therefore, this silk type is expensive. Another type is Tasar silk made from wild caterpillars called Tasar silkworms. It has strong properties and is used in furnishing. This variety is mostly available in its natural copper color because it is difficult to dye.
Silk is used in the fashion industry, and clothes made from this fabric are high quality, so they are considered high-end. It is also used in making sportswear, curtains, and pillows. However, to make 5.5kg of raw silk, around 35,000 silkworm cocoons are needed. To make 35,000 cocoons, 30g of silkworm eggs are needed. Since silk has an animal origin, it is not vegan. Moreover, silk is considered unethical since silkworms are boiled alive and killed in the silk production process.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is a staple fibre made from the natural fibres of cotton plants. It has cellulose, which is an insoluble organic compound needed for plant structure. This soft and fluffy material originated in India, and it dates back to the fifth millennium B.C. However, with the industrial revolution and the invention of new technologies, Britain became one of the main cotton producers.
Cotton plant grows in all tropical and subtropical regions around the world, such as China, the U.S., Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and Brazil. The cotton plant also has wide varieties, such as Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense, Gossypium arboretum, and Gossypium herbaceum.
There are several types of cotton. Pima cotton, which is the finest cotton in the world., has extra soft and extra long fibres. It is native to South America and the American southwest. It is much sought after and resistant to fading, wrinkling, and tearing. Egyptian cotton grown in the Nile River valley in Egypt is very much similar to Pima cotton. Upland cotton is another type that has short fibres and makes up about 90% of the world’s total cotton production. This variety is native to Mexico, Central America, South Florida, and the Caribbean. There is also organic cotton grown without using any chemicals and from plants that are not genetically engineered.
Some of the characteristics of cotton are absorbency, softness, durability, and breathability. Cotton also has numerous uses. It is used for bed sheets, towels, underwear, home décor, and woven fabrics like denim, canvas, flannel, and damask.
What is the Difference Between Silk and Cotton?
The key difference between silk and cotton is that silk has an animal origin since it’s produced from silkworms, while cotton is plant-based. Silk is firmer than cotton, but cotton can survive in harsh conditions. In addition, silk has a shimmery colourful look since it redirects the rays of light that fall on it. Therefore, it is more luxurious than cotton.
Below is a summary of the difference between silk and cotton in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Silk vs Cotton
Silk is the strongest natural protein fibre. It has a shimmery and lustrous look. Since it is made using the cocoons of the silkworm, it is not vegan. However, this fabric is moisturizing, non-irritating, and gentle on your hair and skin. Cotton is a staple fibre made from the natural fibres of cotton plants. It has cellulose and is not hypoallergenic. You can wear this normally in summer. This material is easy to take care of and is also cheaper than silk. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between silk and cotton.
Reference:
1. “Silk.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Cotton.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fabric Tissue Cotton Textile” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Ripples on a Red Silk Fabric” (CC0) via Pexels