Benefits of Pima Cotton Fabric

Pima cotton is a higher-end type of cotton grown primarily in Peru, the United States, and Australia. Named after the Pima Native American tribe, who first cultivated the cotton in the southwestern United States, it is characterized by its extra long fibers, which are twice as long as regular cotton fibers, one of the key benefits of Pima cotton fabric.

The length of these fibers contributes to the production of materials and garments that are strong, ultra-soft, comfortable and durable, making them a favorite choice in any knitwear factory. One of the main draws of pima cotton, most notably Peruvian pima cotton, is the overall level of quality as well as the expertise and sustainably oriented standards behind its production.

Pima cotton offers numerous benefits. Here are just a few advantages:

Longer Lasting

Pima cotton is more durable and resistant to wear and tear you would typically have with everyday use. This means you get a lot longer useability out of your favorite T-shirts.

Softness

The most immediately notable feature of Pima cotton is its smooth and soft texture. This is again due to the longer fibers which also make the fabric less prone to pilling.

Naturally Cooling

The soft and lightweight nature of Pima cotton makes it naturally cooling. The breathable fabric absorbs sweat and allows it to evaporate, keeping you cooler in warm temperatures.

Eco-Friendly

Pima cotton is grown using more sustainable methods that are kinder to the natural environment. To maintain the longer fibers, it must be hand-picked, resulting in less waste and chemicals being put back into the ground.

Less Fading

One of the best benefits of Pima cotton is that it is known to be less prone to fading with washing. This ensures that your t-shirt will always look good for years to come.

Wrinkle Resistant

The longer fibers make Pima cotton wrinkle-resistant especially when being air-dried. This can often alleviate the need to iron, or just minimally at low heat.

Why is real Pima cotton from Peru & the US?

The native Pima cotton plant is indigenous to northern Peru. Pima cotton fabric has been found there dating back to 6000 BC. It was utilized by Native American cultures including Incas and Nazcas.

In the 1940’s, the US Department of Agriculture decided it wanted to grow extra-long staple (ELS) cotton in the United States. The USDA and researchers at the University of Arizona successfully created strains of Pima cotton seeds from Peru that thrived in the soils and climate in parts of Arizona & California. They eventually established ELS farming in the US.

Some of the researchers in the University of Arizona project were Peruvians and were involved in hundreds of hours of tests: seed handling, planting, climate, & soil compositions. When they took their new strains and knowledge back to Peru, they were delighted to learn the seeds grew even better there.

Why Choose Pima Cotton Clothing?

Investing in premium garments made from pima cotton is a smart choice for several reasons.

First, pima cotton clothing offers superior all-day wearability and will last for years with proper care. Second, clothes crafted from this material are a sustainable choice, as it is a natural and renewable resource. Finally, choosing pima cotton clothing supports local communities, as many pima cotton farmers and growers, often small-scale producers, rely on Fair Trade practices to grow, harvest, and sell their crops.

Hope you enjoyed this article! Here at Knit-Lab Peru we are committed to offer premium quality products that combine modern technology with ancestral tradition. Contact us if you want to learn more or work with us.