Now that a brief description of rayon and cotton is known let's discuss a quick comparison of rayon vs cotton.

Origin

The root difference between rayon and cotton is their origin. Where rayon is a semi-synthetic material resourced from wood pulp, cotton is a natural fiber that originated from the fibrous seeds of the cotton plant. Also, the origin of the fibers can make all the difference in their attributes and properties.

Strength

Cotton fiber is superior to rayon which also means it is stronger than rayon fiber. However, certain factors are involved while estimating the strength of the fabric. For instance, fiber strength is determined by genetics. Although rayon has a good tensile strength when dry, it has a low strength when wet. Compared to this, cotton strength varies depending on the staple length and quality.

Durability

When it comes to durability, the factors of estimation involve the quality, shape, and strength over time. Both rayon and cotton are mediocre in durability. 

Cotton has a strong cellular structure that can withstand the heat of iron and the roughness of the washing machine. However, it can still pill, wrinkle, and stretch over time. On the other hand, rayon can hold its shape for a longer time and is resistant to pilling and wrinkling, but if not handled with care, it gets damaged easily under heat or moisture.

Softness

Although rayon fiber manufactured from wood pulp feels smooth and silky against the skin, unlike cotton, it lacks softness. Meanwhile, cotton has porous, soft, pliable, and absorbent fibers, adding a higher thread count and longer, finer staples that can add to the softness of cotton.

Elasticity

Cotton fabrics can stretch 3 to 6% of their length. In addition, if the fibers are knitted into fabric, it can add to the elasticity, for example, jersey knit made from cotton. Meanwhile, the rayon fabric has the lowest elasticity; for example, the elasticity of viscose rayon is less than 2-3%. And when blended with a small amount of spandex, it can make them stretchy.

Absorbency 

Both rayon and cotton have excellent absorbency. Even so, rayon is slightly better. The porous fibers of cotton allow the fabric to be breathable and wick moisture. Similarly, rayon fabric also has a surprisingly excellent ability to absorb moisture.

Pilling

When compared with cotton, rayon fabric can withstand pilling over time. The quality and length of the staple also play a major role in the quality of the cotton fabric. An excellent way to keep the fabric in good shape is by carefully handling them: selecting a gentle wash cycle and air drying the fabric.

Wrinkling

Rayon fabric is wrinkle-resistant. This means if the fabric is scrunched up in a fist, it can retain its original shape back. However, cotton can wrinkle easily and will require good ironing to smoothen back to its original shape.

Sustainability

Based on the manufacturing technique, rayon can produce more sustainably than other synthetic fabrics. However, manufacturing also requires deforestation and involves harmful chemicals that require careful disposal.

Cotton cultivation is no different. Although it is an all-natural and renewable resource, cotton harms the environment by using a substantial amount of water and utilizing the manufacturing process that usually involves many chemicals for special fabric treatments.

Care

Compared to rayon, cotton fabric is easy to care for. Although it stretches and pills over time, cotton with a higher thread count will hold up much better than cotton with a cheap and loose weave. On the other hand, Rayon gets weak when wet and may get damaged under heat. Therefore it is suggested to dry clean the rayon fabric to retain its shiny and silky surface.

Cost

The prices for both rayon and cotton can vary based on the resources used for manufacturing. For example, upland cotton costs far less than premium Egyptian cotton. Similarly, viscose rayon costs a lot less than modal rayon. And though between rayon and cotton, the general rule of thumb is natural fabrics cost more than synthetic materials. The cost of either type of fabric depends on the production process and the quality of the material used in either fabric.

Uses

Both rayon and cotton have versatile uses and similar features of being lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics. Cotton is used for making various wearable clothing, home furnishings, and industrial uses, such as bandaging for medical purposes. Rayon is a cheaper substitute for silk and is used for making various clothing articles and homeware, such as blankets, sheets, and curtains. It is also used for making tire cords and surgical products.