Viscose vs. Cotton — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric made from chemically treated wood pulp, often used as a silk substitute. Cotton is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the cotton plant, known for its breathability and softness.
Difference Between Viscose and Cotton
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Viscose and Cotton are both popular materials in the textile industry, but they differ in their origins, properties, and uses. Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric derived from wood pulp, usually obtained from pine, spruce, or hemlock trees. It is processed with chemicals to produce a silk-like material that is versatile and affordable. Cotton, on the other hand, is a natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant. It's well-known for being breathable, hypoallergenic, and highly absorbent.
Viscose tends to have a high sheen, and its smooth surface makes it suitable for dresses, linings, and lingerie. Cotton, conversely, is often used for everyday wear like t-shirts, jeans, and bedding, as it is soft and breathable. It has a more matte finish compared to the shiny appearance of viscose.
In terms of sustainability, cotton has options like organic and recycled cotton, which are environmentally friendly. Viscose is less sustainable due to the chemical processes it undergoes, although there are eco-friendly versions like Tencel. Both materials are biodegradable, but the environmental impact of cotton farming can be high unless it's sustainably sourced.
Durability is another differing factor. Cotton is generally considered more durable and easy to care for, as it can be machine washed and dried. Viscose is more delicate and usually requires hand-washing or dry cleaning. Both fabrics can shrink if not properly cared for, but cotton is often pre-shrunk to minimize this issue.
Lastly, when it comes to comfort, both fabrics are soft to the touch, but cotton is usually preferred for skin sensitivity due to its natural properties. Viscose, although soft and smooth, may not be suitable for those with sensitive skin due to the chemicals used in its production.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Semi-synthetic, made from wood pulp
Natural, made from cotton plant fibers
Texture
Smooth and shiny
Soft and matte
Sustainability
Generally less sustainable
Can be sustainable (organic cotton)
Durability
Delicate, often requires hand-washing
Durable, machine-washable
Uses
Dresses, linings, lingerie
T-shirts, jeans, bedding
Compare with Definitions
Viscose
A material used as a less expensive substitute for silk.
Viscose scarves are much cheaper than silk ones.
Cotton
A natural fiber obtained from the cotton plant.
Cotton shirts are breathable and comfortable.
Viscose
A fabric often used in evening wear and formal clothing.
Viscose gowns have a luxurious sheen.
Cotton
A material often used in everyday clothing.
Most of my t-shirts are made of cotton.
Viscose
A semi-synthetic fabric made from wood pulp.
The dress is made of viscose and feels silky to the touch.
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure cellulose.
Viscose
A material that often requires special care like hand-washing or dry cleaning.
The viscose blouse has a dry clean only label.
Cotton
Any of various shrubby plants of the genus Gossypium, having showy flowers and grown for the soft white downy fibers surrounding oil-rich seeds.
Viscose
A textile susceptible to wrinkling and shrinking.
Be careful when washing viscose garments.
Cotton
The fiber of any of these plants, used in making textiles and other products.
Viscose
A thick, golden-brown viscous solution of cellulose xanthate, used in the manufacture of rayon and cellophane.
Cotton
Thread or cloth manufactured from the fiber of these plants.
Viscose
Viscose rayon.
Cotton
Any of various soft downy substances produced by other plants, as on the seeds of a cottonwood.
Viscose
Viscous.
Cotton
To take a liking; attempt to be friendly
A dog that didn't cotton to strangers.
An administration that will cotton up to the most repressive of regimes.
Viscose
Of, relating to, or made from viscose.
Cotton
To come to understand. Often used with to or onto
"The German bosses ... never cottoned to such changes" (N.R. Kleinfield).
Viscose
A viscous orange-brown liquid obtained by chemical treatment of cellulose and used as the basis of manufacturing rayon and cellulose film.
Cotton
Gossypium, a genus of plant used as a source of cotton fiber.
Viscose
A fabric made from this material.
Cotton
Any plant that encases its seed in a thin fiber that is harvested and used as a fabric or cloth.
Viscose
A cellulose ester obtained by treating cellulose with caustic soda
Cotton
Any fiber similar in appearance and use to Gossypium fiber.
Viscose
A rayon fabric made from viscose (cellulose xanthate) fibers
Cotton
(textiles) The textile made from the fiber harvested from a cotton plant, especially Gossypium.
Cotton
(countable) An item of clothing made from cotton.
Cotton
Made of cotton.
Cotton
(transitive) To provide with cotton.
Cotton
To supply with a cotton wick.
Cotton
To fill with a wad of cotton.
Cotton
(horticulture) To wrap with a protective layer of cotton fabric.
Cotton
To cover walls with fabric.
Cotton
(tar and cotton) To cover with cotton bolls over a layer of tar (analogous to tar and feather )
Cotton
To make or become cotton-like
Cotton
To raise a nap, providing with a soft, cottony texture.
Cotton
To develop a porous, cottony texture.
Cotton
To give the appearance of being dotted with cotton balls.
Cotton
To enshroud with a layer of whiteness.
Cotton
To protect from harsh stimuli, coddle, or muffle.
Cotton
To rub or burnish with cotton.
Cotton
To get on with someone or something; to have a good relationship with someone.
Cotton
A soft, downy substance, resembling fine wool, consisting of the unicellular twisted hairs which grow on the seeds of the cotton plant. Long-staple cotton has a fiber sometimes almost two inches long; short-staple, from two thirds of an inch to an inch and a half.
Cotton
The cotton plant. See Cotten plant, below.
Cotton
Cloth made of cotton.
Cotton
To rise with a regular nap, as cloth does.
It cottons well; it can not choose but bearA pretty nap.
Cotton
To go on prosperously; to succeed.
New, Hephestion, does not this matter cotton as I would?
Cotton
To unite; to agree; to make friends; - usually followed by with.
A quarrel will end in one of you being turned off, in which case it will not be easy to cotton with another.
Didst see, Frank, how the old goldsmith cottoned in with his beggarly companion?
Cotton
To take a liking to; to stick to one as cotton; - used with to.
Cotton
Silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
Cotton
Fabric woven from cotton fibers
Cotton
Erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers
Cotton
Thread made of cotton fibers
Cotton
Take a liking to;
Cotton to something
Cotton
A fabric known for its softness and durability.
Cotton bed sheets last for years.
Cotton
A highly absorbent fabric ideal for towels.
Cotton towels dry quickly and absorb well.
Cotton
A textile that can be machine washed and dried.
Cotton is easy to care for at home.
Common Curiosities
Is Viscose sustainable?
Generally, viscose is less sustainable due to the chemical processes involved, although eco-friendly versions exist.
What is Viscose?
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric made from chemically treated wood pulp.
Can you machine-wash Viscose?
Viscose is usually more delicate and often requires hand-washing or dry cleaning.
Is Viscose like silk?
Viscose can feel like silk and is often used as a less expensive substitute.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is a natural fabric made from the fibers of the cotton plant.
Does Viscose wrinkle easily?
Yes, viscose can wrinkle and may require careful handling.
Is Cotton breathable?
Yes, cotton is highly breathable and is often used for summer clothing.
Is Cotton durable?
Cotton is generally more durable and can be machine-washed.
Which is softer, Viscose or Cotton?
Both are soft, but cotton is often preferred for sensitive skin.
Can Cotton shrink?
Yes, but many cotton fabrics are pre-shrunk to minimize this.
Is Viscose good for summer?
Viscose is breathable but may not wick moisture as well as cotton.
What are the common uses of Viscose?
Viscose is often used in dresses, formal wear, and lingerie.
What are the common uses of Cotton?
Cotton is commonly used in t-shirts, bedding, and towels.
Which is more expensive, Viscose or Cotton?
The cost can vary, but viscose is generally less expensive than high-quality cotton.
Is Cotton hypoallergenic?
Cotton is generally considered hypoallergenic and is good for sensitive skin.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
