In 2019 consumers around the world spent $209 billion on home textile products (Cotton Incorporated, 2020b). With consumers spending more time than ever at home, studies show comfort and cleanliness are high priorities. While consumers wash an average of four loads of laundry per week, there is still a lot of odor-causing bacteria around the house (Cotton Incorporated, 2020a). Home textiles treated with performance technologies can provide reassurance in this time of uncertainty.
Bedding
An Amerisleep study analyzed bedding at various stages since its last washing. “After one week, pillowcases and sheets contain between three million and five million CFUs (colony-forming units) per square inch” (Hyde, 2021). This means that a pillowcase has 17,442 times more bacteria than a toilet seat after one week of use! And yet, most people do not take the time to wash their sheets weekly. According to a 2019 study by Consolidated Pathways, 34% of those surveyed admitted to washing their sheets only once a month.
Common concerns with bedding include making consumers sweat and fabric that pills or becomes rough, stiff, or itchy (Cotton Incorporated, 2020b). Textile technologies, especially those controlling odor, save consumers time, energy, and money by extending the period between necessary washes. Additionally, other popular technologies include cooling, moisture wicking, and soil and stain release, which provides comfort beyond peace of mind.
Towels
Towels are a gathering place for odor-causing bacteria, which thrive in warm, moist environments such as bathrooms. In one study, a subject used the same towel for a week. The towel was swabbed with sterilized bacti-swabs, which were then sent to a lab for testing. The results were shocking: The bacteria count on the first day was 260,000, but on the seventh day, it was 650 million (Inside Edition, 2020).
Mustiness is, of course, a common problem in towels, one which can be prevented by odor control technologies. Other technologies, like softener agents, moisture wicking, and quick dry technologies, can help keep towels soft and absorbent. These offerings can also extend the towel’s product life, saving money, easing consumer maintenance, and avoiding waste.
Textiles throughout the home
While bedding and towels are used constantly in homes, textile performance technologies can be used on a wide range of home textile products, in anything from pet beds to rugs. The three primary drivers considered by consumers when purchasing all home textiles are quality, durability, and comfort (Cotton Incorporated, 2020b), and textile performance technologies can achieve each of these needs.
References
Consolidated Pathways. (2019). Consumer habits survey.
Cotton Incorporated. (2020, October). Garment care & labels. https://lifestylemonitor.cottoninc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Things-To-Know-About_Garment-Care-Labels_US.pdf
Cotton Incorporated. (2020, September). Supply chain insights: Home textiles. https://lifestylemonitor.cottoninc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020_SCI_Home-Textiles_Global.pdf
Hyde, M. (2021, January 3). Bacteria in your bed. Amerisleep. https://amerisleep.com/blog/bacteria-in-your-bed/
Inside Edition. (2020, February 11). This could be growing on your towels. https://www.insideedition.com/this-could-be-growing-on-your-towels-58271
