What is the filling of cotton clothes? Uncovering the science behind keeping warm
As winter approaches, cotton-padded clothes have become people’s first choice to keep out the cold. But are you curious, what exactly is the filling of cotton-padded clothes? How do they achieve warmth? This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to reveal the secrets of cotton padding fillings and provide structured data comparison.
1. Common types of cotton padding fillings

The fillings of cotton clothes are mainly divided into two categories: natural and artificial. The following are the mainstream filler types and their characteristics currently on the market:
| Filling type | Material | Warmth | Breathability | price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| natural down | duck down, goose down | Extremely strong | excellent | high |
| cotton | natural cotton fiber | medium | generally | Low |
| polyester fiber | synthetic fiber | Above average | good | medium low |
| Thinsulate | microfiber | powerful | excellent | Middle to high |
2. Controversies and hot spots about down fillings
Recently, the discussion about down filling has become a hot topic. The following are the hot topics of discussion across the Internet:
1.animal welfare issues: Animal rights groups have called attention to the cruelty of plucking live down, leading many brands to turn to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS certification).
2.The rise of down alternatives: Due to the rising price of down and ethical controversies, the market share of synthetic thermal insulation materials (such as Primaloft and Thermolite) has increased significantly.
3.Cleaning problems: Experts remind that incorrect cleaning of down jackets will damage the down structure. It is recommended to use professional down jacket cleaning agents to avoid machine washing and drying.
3. Comparative analysis of filler performance
We have compiled recent laboratory test data to compare the key indicators of different fillers:
| index | natural down | polyester fiber | cotton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warmth retention rate | More than 95% | 85%-90% | 75%-80% |
| Compression recovery | excellent | good | Difference |
| Weight (same warmth) | lightest | lighter | heaviest |
| Warmth retention after getting wet | significant decrease | keep better | Keep it normal |
4. Purchasing suggestions and latest trends
Based on recent consumer trends and expert advice:
1.Pay attention to fill indicators: The down jacket depends on the "fill power" (FP value) and "down content". 550FP or more is suitable for daily use, and 800FP or more is suitable for extreme cold.
2.new technology materials: New thermal insulation materials such as aerogel and graphene have begun to be used in high-end cotton clothes. Although they are expensive, they have outstanding thermal insulation properties.
3.sustainable choice: Environmentally friendly fillers made of recycled PET materials have become the highlight of new products in the winter of 2023, and many outdoor brands have launched related products.
4.Partition fill design: The latest cotton-padded clothes are designed with different fillings in different parts, taking into account both warmth and flexibility.
5. Maintenance tips
According to recent actual measurements by lifestyle bloggers:
• Down jackets should be hung in spacious wardrobes and avoid being compressed and stored for more than 3 months.
• Polyester filling is machine washable with mild detergent but spin on low speed
• It is recommended to hand wash cotton-filled clothing to avoid clogging.
• Avoid high-temperature ironing of all cotton clothing
Through the above analysis, we can see that the choice of cotton padding filling is not only related to the thermal insulation effect, but also involves multiple factors such as environmental protection, price, usage habits, etc. Hopefully this guide, incorporating the latest hot topics, will help you make wise choices this winter.
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