You are probably already aware that cotton 'breathes' better than synthetic fabrics. As such, cotton fabric is often preferred for individuals looking for clothing that will minimize perspiration. A new study* now confirms that cotton is indeed the choice fabric for those of us that sweat excessively or for those among us that wish to remain dry. |
The study showed that textiles can harbour microorganisms and sweat that both originate from the surface of our skin. Investigators looked at the degree to which microbial growth and odor developed within cotton and polyester fabrics. T-shirts from 26 healthy individuals were collected after intense spinning sessions. These were subsequently incubated for 28 hours to encourage microbial growth. The polyester T-shirts smelled significantly less pleasant and more intense compared to the cotton T-shirts. The cotton fabric also encouraged bacterial growth from a multitude of strains while odor causing microorganisms were more commonly found within synthetic fabric. The next time you are purchasing clothing let this study be a reminder that cotton should be your go-to fabric. For more information on this subject, click here to access pertinent pages from our website. |
Next month we will look more closely at the principle of water 'wicking' and how it relates to a number of fabrics. Fabrics and their ability to wick water is an important tool in the fight against hyperhidrosis. For now, feel free to consult our Stay Dry Tips for a brief review of water wicking. *Callewaert, C et.al. Apply Environ Microbiol, Nov 2014 |