Mercerized cotton
Cotton yarn or fabric treated with caustic soda under tension. The fibre swells and rounds out, giving a silkier lustre, deeper dye uptake and more strength.
How it’s made
- 1Yarn or fabric is passed through a sodium hydroxide bath under tension (the process is named after John Mercer).
- 2Fibres swell from a flat, twisted ribbon to a rounder cross-section that reflects more light.
- 3Neutralised and rinsed. Often combined with gassing (singeing off loose fibre ends) for a clean surface.
What to look for
- Usually done on long-staple, combed, ring-spun yarns
- Smooth surface with a subtle sheen and crisp colours
Pros
- Lustre
- Richer colour
- Stronger, less fuzz and pilling
Cons
- Less soft and lofty than brushed cotton
- Chemical process, so wastewater handling matters
Typical use
- Streetwear:
- Polo shirts, fine-gauge knit tees, socks.
Sustainability
Uses caustic soda. Responsible mills recover and reuse the alkali.