What is Poplin? Fabric Guide and Care

01 Sep.,2023

 

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What is poplin, or as some people prefer to call it, tabblinet? It’s basically a type of cotton fabric that is weaved with fine horizontal yarns or ribs. These intricate details make it a crisp and strong material with a lustrous, silky surface. Poplin is used in making shirts for both genders, dresses for women, and other items like raincoats and sportswear. 

What is Poplin

What is Poplin?

The term poplin originated from the French word “papelino” which is also a fabric with the same weave pattern as poplin. Due to the popularity of poplin, you will find it in many clothing pieces that can be worn in all seasons of the year. Most of your favorite shirts, dresses, pants, and jackets are available in this versatile fabric that gives them additional beauty and drape as other types of clothing. 

What is Poplin vs. Twill 

What is poplin’s difference from twill fabric? Sometimes poplin is mistaken for twill, but they are both entirely different materials. In fact, their weave patterns are very different. Poplin has a more delicate yarn warp pattern and a thicker yarn weft.

On the other hand, twill has a more rigid texture than poplin. However, if you are considering a fabric that will be more breathable, then you should choose poplin. If you are purchasing your fabric online, make sure to read through its description to avoid making a wrong choice. Most decent shops will include the correct label. Either way, both poplin, and twill can be great choices, so you can’t go entirely wrong with them. 

What is Poplin vs. Lawn Cotton 

Both poplin and lawn are cotton fabrics, but what is poplin’s distinction from lawn cotton? People usually buy lawn cotton, thinking it is poplin. However, there is a very distinct difference between the two that may be subtle at first sight. For instance, poplin is lightweight and durable. It is similar to quilting cotton, although it is on the lighter side with some minor creasing. However, poplin’s weave is tighter and may be harder to sew. Therefore, using a fine needle is preferable. 

Lawn cotton also has a tight weave and gives off a smooth surface texture. However, if you want to make a garment with a good fabric drape, lawn cotton is not the right choice due to its lightness.

The best way to differentiate what is poplin and what is not is to hold both fabrics up against a light. For example, lawn cotton will appear more translucent than poplin. 

What is Poplin

How to Maintain Poplin 

One great thing about poplin fabric is the fact that it requires low maintenance. You typically don’t need to dry-clean it. Just make sure to follow the laundry symbols and care instructions given when washing. 

This particular fabric has many strengths, one of which is its natural resistance to wrinkles. A low tumble or light steam dry will straighten it out. Poplin also does not get easily stained, and if yours is a hundred percent cotton, it will let go of the odors while it is being washed. 

Tips for Caring for Your Poplin 

What is poplin’s care routine? Following these tips will help you save money and time while keeping your poplin shining.

For Removing Stains

Depending on the stain, you need to brush the area lightly with either your toothbrush or fingernail. If the stain is already dried up, you may skip this and go straight to applying a detergent. You can soak the clothing in an enzyme-derived detergent as a form of pre-treatment. The detergent must be bleach-free.

For dried stains, apply diluted hydrogen peroxide, but only if the material is brightly colored. Another option is to use your baking soda paste on it and leave it for thirty minutes. The baking soda technique works well with dark clothing. Regardless of the stain removal product you use, always test in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it does not bleach or mark the fabric.

The final step is to launder the cloth as you usually do based on the instructions. The wash time will depend on the number of clothes and their stains. Stained garments take longer to wash. 

How to Wash

Washing cotton poplin is more manageable than many other fabrics. As mentioned earlier, you do not need to dry clean them but just go straight to washing.

Instead of placing your neatly worn clothes in the hamper, you can save water, money, the environment, and your time by airing them immediately. As a result, your wardrobe will feel, smell, and look brand new. 

What is poplin’s best wash mixture? For once-a-week laundry, mix white vinegar, hot water, and baking soda. Running a hot cup of bleach once a month will kill the bacteria. Do not forget to leave your door open whenever you empty the laundry to prevent mold formation. 

Another good tip is to sort out your clothes. Due to the varying temperature, it is not a great idea to mix and match fabrics in your laundry room. Instead, sort them by their type (woven vs. knit), color (dark vs. light), and weight (light blouses vs. heavy denim).

What is poplin’s best combination in the laundry room? It can be combined with any other fabric but not while in the washer. Your washing machine should not be overloaded. A stuffed machine will not allow your clothes to get properly cleaned and rinsed. The stains will remain, and your fabric may even get ripped. Your washing machine load should only be three-quarters of its original size. 

Also, before you insert the clothes into the machine, turn them inside out. This will prevent the fuzz that is usually generated when clothes are in there.

Less detergent should be used to prevent the fabric from fading out quickly. Measure the appropriate detergent as directed and use. 

When it comes to drying the clothes, you can air dry them using your dryer. Doing so will make their drying process faster and reduce over-drying. While clothes can be over-dried, it’s not often a good idea. Setting a drying time will help avoid this too. If the drying does not have a setting for this, then you should take the clothes out as soon as they become damp. 

Removing Wrinkles

What is poplin’s non-wrinkle secret? No one likes wrinkled clothes, and ironing can be a chore at the same time. The good news is that with poplin, your wrinkles can be removed without using an iron. So, how do you do this? Simply spray water over them and straighten with your fingers. Another helpful trick is to place the wrinkled clothes along with a damp washcloth into the dryer and leave for about ten minutes.

But what about when you are on the move and do not have an accessible dryer? Just hang the clothes in your shower room while taking a hot bath. The fog will remove the wrinkles.

The last trick for removing wrinkles on your clothes is to intercept them in the dryer halfway. Then, take them out to hang.

Stretching and Shrinking Clothes

Do your poplin shirts feel too snug when they are out of the laundry, or do your jeans shrink? If yes, then we have a few tips for you. The first is to take the clothes out while they are damp, then proceed to air drying. This hack will make a remarkable difference to your former tiny tops. Luckily for you, poplin is one of those pieces of cotton that does not take days to re-stretch, so you do not need to hang them up before they shrink. 

How about poplin jeans that are baggy at the knees? This can be fixed by light wetting, or you may spray a good fabric softener before placing them in your dryer. Next, to unshrink your shirt, soak them for five minutes in warm water with a hair conditioner. Finally, stretch the sweater to your desired size and maintain it with heavy cans and jars. After this, you can leave it to dry. 

Why You Should Go for Poplin

What is poplin’s stress level when it comes to its maintenance? It is pretty low compared to other materials. So, this is a good enough reason to go for it. As for what is poplin’s price, it varies based on the vendor, but poplin on average is quite affordable.  Poplin is an excellent choice if you are looking out for clothes that you can wear for all seasons and almost all occasions. Its tight weave and lightweight build might just be what you need. We already highlighted some tricks and tips that will help you take utmost care of your fabric. They are already low maintenance, so it is even much more manageable. 

What is Poplin - In Conclusion 

Poplin is a type of cotton with a unique weave. So, when people say poplin shirts, they mainly refer to the weave and not the material type. While this is an easier way of expressing oneself, it may not be the most accurate description as poplin is more than its weave pattern. Although its unique tight light-weighted weaves give it most of its advantage, there is much more to the material.

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