Cotton Basics

As the weather gets warmer, we turn to lighter textiles for our clothing choices and one of the most chosen textiles is cotton. It’s a super fabric! Read on to learn a little more about this amazing staple fiber!

Did you know that 325 pairs of jeans can be made from one bale of cotton?

Did you also know the typical bale of cotton is 500 pounds? A single bale of cotton can also make
approximately 500 sweaters or sweatshirts. One 500 pound cotton bale will produce enough oil to cook about
6,000 snack-size bags of potato chips. Cotton is used to make more than just clothing. A bale of cotton can
also be used to make 200 sheets or 3,000 diapers, as well as many cellulose based products including
automobile windsheilds. Even Thomas Edison used cotton filament in his first lightbulb.
Cotton is believed to be at least 7,000 years old after being found in caves in Mexico. It was first planted in
Florida around 1556 and in Virginia around 1607. The Industrial Revolution and the cotton gin, patented by Eli
Whitney in 1793 increased the economic and social difference between the North and the South that was one of
the leading causes of the Civil War. Today, cotton is grown in 17 U.S. states: California, Arizona, New
Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia and Kansas. Cotton requires much less water per acre than any
other field crop.
SO as you just casually select that awesome tee shirt from your closet to meet all your clothing requirements of
the day…know that you’ve made a great selection – for many reasons! Good job you!
Facts from: http://www.agpresidents.com/cotton-facts.htm