Cotton is a plant that produces a soft natural cellulose staple fiber. It has been grown for over 6,000 years for uses that include food, farming, textile fibers, and fuel. As the top producers of cotton, India, China, and the United States generate approximately 60 percent of the world’s cotton. The manufacturing process for cotton involves cultivating raw cotton and then removing any dirt, stems, and seeds. This is followed by ginning, carding, spinning, and weaving. The quality of cotton is graded by its color and the length of its fibers, with longer fibers resulting in a more finished fabric that is smoother and softer to the touch.
