Cotton Home Textiles

The Comforts of Home with Cotton

Cotton is the number one fiber preferred for home textile products in the U.S. consumer market.¹ It’s naturally breathable, soft, and hypoallergenic,² making it ideal for designing a comfortable living space.  

These qualities help cotton bedding, blankets, towels, upholstery and more stand out from synthetic fabrics, plus cotton’s recyclability³ and biodegradability⁴ give them circular end of life possibilities. Cotton offers high performance in its natural state, and can be enhanced with technology for improved absorption, temperature regulation, cooling, breathability, and moisture management for the most comfortable home textiles. 

Choosing cotton for your home products shows consumers your brand values comfort, safety, and sustainability. 

The Cotton Advantage for Home Textiles

Absorbent towels. Fluffy blankets. Cool sheets. Easy-to-clean fabrics. From cotton sheets and blankets to upholstery, curtains, and more, there’s something comforting and cozy about cotton textiles. Consumers notice the difference: 73% surveyed said 100% cotton is important when shopping for home textiles.¹ 

Cotton is comfortable, sustainable, and hypoallergenic,² earning consumer preference and giving it a competitive edge in home textiles.  

Consumer Preference

Cotton delivers what consumers want in home textiles. They know it’s soft, durable, and safe for their families, so they trust cotton products to make their homes comfortable. 

Hypoallergenic

Cotton is harvested straight from a plant, making it naturally hypoallergenic² and a great choice for sensitive skin. Cotton is commonly recommended by dermatologists for those with skin sensitivities or allergies. Cotton’s soft, soothing texture is the ideal material when you want to wrap yourself up in unparalleled comfort. 

In a Cotton Incorporated study,² both natural and purified forms of cotton passed the Human Repeat Insult Patch Test (HRIPT), which was conducted by an independent lab specializing in clinical testing. There was no irritation response to the cotton fiber patch test on any of the 200+ participants, even those with sensitive skin. 

Sustainability 

From responsible farming practices to its recyclable³ and biodegradable⁴ possibilities, cotton can help your brand meet its sustainability goals through circular possibilities.  

Cotton growers often use regenerative agriculture practices, which capture carbon while enhancing soil health, biodiversity, water, and air quality — all while keeping farms productive.⁸ Growers in the U.S. have already reduced pesticide applications by 50%, reduced irrigated water applications by 45%, and increased fiber production without using more land.⁹ 

As a natural fiber, cotton does not shed microplastics like synthetics do. In fact, cotton breaks down 97% faster than polyester in marine environments and is a potential solution to the microfiber pollution issue.⁴ Instead of leaching pollutants like synthetics, works with the cycle of nature and breaks down completely.⁹ 

Once cotton-based products reach the end of their first use, their journey isn’t over. Cotton textiles can be recycled³ into other products, like stuffing for pillows and bedding, insulation for homes and cars, and cleaning tools like rags and mops. Even after secondary use, cotton products can compost⁴ and return to nature, helping grow plants (like more cotton!) and closing the circularity loop. 

Discover cotton’s full sustainability story on our Cotton Sustainability Fundamentals page. 

Cotton Sustainability

The Seal of Cotton

When it comes to home textiles, consumers are discerning about their fiber selections and are likely to check the label for fiber content information.¹ Make it easy for them to see your home textile products are 100% cotton with The Seal of Cotton trademark. 

The Seal of Cotton ensures consumers recognize your products as the authentic, natural material they love and trust. Get started on your license on our Seal of Cotton page: it’s simple and free. 

Get the Seal

Rest Easy: Benefits of Cotton Bedding

Sleep wellness is a hot topic, and more consumers are gaining awareness of the importance of getting a good night’s rest. Cotton’s natural properties create cotton sheets, blankets, and bedding that are soft, breathable, and naturally thermo-regulating — the perfect choice for achieving deep and rejuvenating sleep.¹¹  

Cotton’s breathability means humidity easily passes through the fabric, leading to an ideal microclimate against the surface of the skin. Cotton naturally reduces thermal discomfort due to its ability to transfer excess heat from the skin to the outside environment.¹¹ This means cotton bedding can help the body’s moisture to evaporate quickly and comfortably. Cotton also keeps you cooler while sleeping, as it maintains the decrease of body temperature.¹¹ 

Cotton sheets are naturally odor resistant. Cotton fibers release body odors during washing, leading to fresh-smelling fabrics. Polyester, on the other hand, binds with odor molecules, leading to a foul smell that typically requires antibacterial technology to control.¹² 

Discover the best cotton sheets for your customers with our Retail Buying Guide for Cotton Sheets.

Performance Technologies for Cotton Sheets 

On top of its inherent qualities, cotton bedding can be treated with a variety of technologies to boost temperature regulation and support restful sleep. 

Learn more about cotton’s technical possibilities on our Performance Technologies page. 

Performance Technologies

Fashion Forward Home Textiles 

The natural softness and durability of cotton make it the perfect choice for home textiles, but consumers often make their interior design decisions based on the latest trends. 

From trendy upholstery to fluffy towels and beautiful textiles for cozy living spaces, the Cotton Incorporated Material Library will inspire you with our curated collection designed specifically for the home textiles market. As a capsule collection incorporating new yarns, interesting woven or knit fabric structures, and unique dyeing and finishing techniques, our home collection demonstrates the limitless possibilities of cotton for the world of home fashion. 

Explore the full Home Collection in our Material Library. 

Material Library