Polycotton vs Polyester: What are the benefits of each?
Polycotton vs Polyester, which one would you choose?
Fabric choice is more important than you might think. The fabric we choose for our workwear and linens matters, and choosing the right fabric for healthcare settings is vital to the comfort of patients and staff. Two popular choices are polycotton and polyester, each of these fabrics has unique characteristics and benefits that make them ideal for healthcare and medical environments.
To help you decide which of these fabrics to choose, we are delving into the main features and benefits of each, and their uses for the healthcare industry. Polycotton vs Polyester – lets dive in!
What is polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fibre designed to be highly durable and resistant to shrinking or stretching, hence why it has become widely popular for sportswear, workwear, and general clothing. It is robust while being low maintenance. This reliability is why garments such as scrubs are made with some polyester fabric.
Key properties:
Durability: Polyester is highly resistant to wear and tear compared to other fabrics, which is very important in fast paced environments like hospitals.
Moisture wicking: Synthetic fibres like polyester are great at moisture wicking, which means it helps keep moisture away from the skin. This is a particular benefit for scrubs!
Wrinkle and shrink resistance: Polyester garments and linens are great at retaining their shape even after being washed regularly, and tend to need ironing less than other fabric types.
Easy to maintain: As polyester is quick-drying, withstands washing well, and has less need for ironing, it makes it easy to maintain when used for bedding and clothing.
What is polycotton?
Polycotton is a blended fabric, it combines polyester with cotton, in varying ratios. A common blend ratio is around 70% polyester and 30% cotton, but can vary widely. For example, the blend needed for bed linen, and the blend needed for clothing may differ.
Key properties:
Balance of comfort and durability: The added cotton in this fabric makes it softer and more breathable than a fully polyester fabric. The polyester part of the fabric adds the strength and durability needed for healthcare linens and clothing. This blend brings the best of both worlds together.
Improved breathability: 100% cotton is a very breathable fabric, and offers a better airflow than polyester. Polycotton provides more breathability than 100% polyester, which makes it a comfortable option without compromising durability.
Cost-effective: By blending cotton with polyester, it comes more affordable than 100% cotton fabrics whilst maintaining many of the comfort benefits. This is a major benefit for hospitals and clinics where budgets are tight.
Versatility: Polycotton works in a high stress and busy environments that require tough but comfortable fabrics. For example, hospital patients need comfort in their linens and gowns, but also require strong, durable fabric that can withstand regular hot washing.
Explaining the key differences between polyester and polycotton
Every person, company, or facility has different requirements for fabric. Understanding the key differences between these popular fabrics can help make the right decision when which is better for workwear, patient wear, or linens.
Comfort and feel
Polycotton: Has a slightly softer feel, with more breathability. It is more comfortable when worn or slept on for prolonged periods, particularly in warm environments.
Polyester: Offers less breathability as it traps heat more easily. However, modern polycotton has made improvements in this area, especially in terms of moisture wicking.
Maintenance:
Polycotton: Provides more durability than 100% cotton, but is less durable than 100% polyester. Polycotton is typically easy to care for, washes well, but may require more ironing than polyester.
Polyester: Is extremely durable, easy to maintain, wrinkle resistant, holds its shape, and dries quickly. This easy maintenance makes it suitable for hospital environments.
Moisture management:
Polycotton: The cotton component absorbs more moisture than fully polyester fabric, this could be beneficial or problematic depending on what the fabric is used for.
Polyester: Is naturally more water resistant, and keeps moisture away from the wearer, which is why it is used in a lot of sportswear. This can be a great benefit for workwear too.
Choosing the right fabric
When it comes to choosing between polycotton vs polyester for your clothing or linens, the demands of the environment and the requirements of the fabric will determine which is the best fit. For situations where durability and little maintenance is a priority, polyester might be the best choice. In comparison, if more breathability and comfort is needed, polycotton can be preferable.
At Interweave, we offer many fabric options across our product range to suit the needs of all facilities, including: 100% polyester, polycotton, cotton rich, and 100% cotton. Take a look at some of the products we offer in each type of fabric.
Polyester products
Polycotton products
Cotton rich products
Cotton products
Shop online
You can find everything you need online at Interweave. Browse bed linen, patient wear, scrubs, pillows, duvets and more. You can shop as an individual, for home care, care facilities, and hospitals.
For our NHS customers, many of our most popular products are available via NHS Supply chain. If you have any questions, or require more information about a product, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
