Cotton vs. Flannel — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll around the seeds of cotton plants, while flannel is a fabric made from woven wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers that is brushed to create extra softness.
Difference Between Cotton and Flannel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cotton is a natural fiber that is used to make a wide variety of textile products, including clothing, towels, and bedding. It is prized for its breathability, softness, and hypoallergenic properties. Flannel, on the other hand, refers not to the fiber but to a type of fabric that can be made from cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers. Flannel is characterized by its softness and warmth, achieved by brushing the fabric to raise fine fibers.
The main use of cotton spans across a broad range of textile products due to its versatility, durability, and comfort. Flannel is specifically favored in colder climates or during the winter months because of its excellent heat retention qualities. It is commonly used for warm clothing and bedding such as pajamas and sheets.
In terms of care, cotton is generally easy to wash and care for, though it can shrink if exposed to high temperatures. Flannel also requires care to maintain its softness and prevent pilling; it often requires washing in cool water and gentle drying.
Cotton fabrics are suitable for use throughout the year, providing comfort in warm climates due to their light and breathable nature. Flannel, while also potentially made from cotton, is brushed for extra loft and insulation, making it particularly useful for warmth and layering in cold weather.
The production of both cotton and flannel fabrics can vary, but each serves unique purposes: cotton for general versatility and comfort, and flannel for warmth and coziness. The choice between the two often depends on the intended use and the desired properties of the finished product.
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Comparison Chart
Material Origin
Natural fiber from cotton plants.
Fabric made from cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers.
Characteristics
Soft, breathable, hypoallergenic.
Brushed for softness, warm, slightly heavier.
Common Uses
Clothing, bedding, towels.
Winter clothing, warm bedding.
Care Instructions
Easy to wash, prone to shrinking.
Needs gentle washing, prone to pilling.
Ideal Climate
Suitable for all climates.
Best for cold climates.
Compare with Definitions
Cotton
Known for its versatility and hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Cotton bed sheets are popular for their softness and comfort.
Flannel
Often used for clothing that requires warmth and comfort, such as pajamas and winter shirts.
Children’s flannel pajamas are popular for keeping warm on cold nights.
Cotton
Can be woven into various densities and weights for different uses.
Lightweight cotton is perfect for casual blouses and shirts.
Flannel
A soft woven fabric, typically made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers, brushed to increase softness.
Wool flannel shirts provide extra warmth during the winter months.
Cotton
A natural fiber that grows around the seeds of cotton plants, used to make soft and breathable textiles.
Cotton shirts are ideal for summer because they allow the skin to breathe.
Flannel
The brushing process raises fine fibers from the loosely spun yarn, creating a napped surface on one or both sides.
Flannel sheets are brushed to create a soft, warm bed covering.
Cotton
Cotton fabric absorbs moisture and dries quickly, making it practical for daily wear.
Cotton towels are preferred in many households due to their high absorbency.
Flannel
Popular in cold weather gear and bedding due to its thermal properties.
Flannel lined jeans are a favorite for outdoor workers in the winter.
Cotton
Widely used globally due to its comfort and ease of care.
Cotton jeans are a staple in casual fashion worldwide.
Flannel
Requires careful laundering to prevent shrinkage and pilling.
It is recommended to wash flannel garments in cold water and air dry.
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.
Flannel
Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber.
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.
Flannel
A kind of soft woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton and slightly milled and raised
A check flannel shirt
Cotton
The fiber of any of these plants, used in making textiles and other products.
Flannel
A small piece of towelling used for washing oneself.
Cotton
Thread or cloth manufactured from the fiber of these plants.
Flannel
Bland fluent talk indulged in to avoid addressing a difficult subject or situation directly
A simple admittance of ignorance was much to be preferred to any amount of flannel
Cotton
Any of various soft downy substances produced by other plants, as on the seeds of a cottonwood.
Flannel
Use bland fluent talk to avoid addressing a difficult subject or situation directly.
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.
Flannel
A soft woven cloth of wool or a blend of wool and cotton or synthetics.
Cotton
To come to understand. Often used with to or onto
"The German bosses ... never cottoned to such changes" (N.R. Kleinfield).
Flannel
Outer clothing, especially pants, made of this cloth.
Cotton
Gossypium, a genus of plant used as a source of cotton fiber.
Flannel
Underclothing made of this cloth.
Cotton
Any plant that encases its seed in a thin fiber that is harvested and used as a fabric or cloth.
Flannel
Flannelette.
Cotton
Any fiber similar in appearance and use to Gossypium fiber.
Flannel
(uncountable) A soft cloth material originally woven from wool, today often combined with cotton or synthetic fibers.
With the weather turning colder, it was time to dig out our flannel sheets and nightclothes.
Cotton
(textiles) The textile made from the fiber harvested from a cotton plant, especially Gossypium.
Flannel
A washcloth.
Cotton
(countable) An item of clothing made from cotton.
Flannel
A flannel shirt.
Cotton
Made of cotton.
Flannel
Soothing, plausible untruth or half-truth; claptrap.
Don't talk flannel!
Cotton
(transitive) To provide with cotton.
Flannel
Made of flannel.
Cotton
To supply with a cotton wick.
Flannel
(transitive) To rub with a flannel.
Cotton
To fill with a wad of cotton.
Flannel
(transitive) To wrap in flannel.
Cotton
(horticulture) To wrap with a protective layer of cotton fabric.
Flannel
(transitive) To flatter; to suck up to.
Cotton
To cover walls with fabric.
Flannel
To waffle or prevaricate.
Cotton
(tar and cotton) To cover with cotton bolls over a layer of tar (analogous to tar and feather )
Flannel
A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture.
Cotton
To make or become cotton-like
Flannel
A cotton fabric with a thick nap on one side, resembling flannel{1}; it is used, e. g. for underwear or sheets; also called flanellette.
Cotton
To raise a nap, providing with a soft, cottony texture.
Flannel
Garments made of flannel, especially underwear.
Cotton
To develop a porous, cottony texture.
Flannel
A washcloth.
Cotton
To give the appearance of being dotted with cotton balls.
Flannel
Humbug; nonsensical or evasive talk.
Cotton
To enshroud with a layer of whiteness.
Flannel
Insincere flattery or praise.
Cotton
To protect from harsh stimuli, coddle, or muffle.
Flannel
A soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
Cotton
To rub or burnish with cotton.
Flannel
Bath linen consisting of a piece of cloth used to wash the face and body
Cotton
To get on with someone or something; to have a good relationship with someone.
Flannel
(usually in the plural) trousers
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
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between cotton and flannel?
Cotton is a natural fiber, while flannel is a type of fabric that can be made from cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers and is brushed for softness.
How should I wash flannel to maintain its quality?
Wash flannel in cool water with a gentle cycle and dry it on a low heat setting to prevent shrinkage and pilling.
Why is flannel preferred for winter?
Flannel is preferred in winter because it is brushed for extra softness and insulation, making it warmer than typical cotton fabrics.
Are there environmental concerns associated with cotton production?
Yes, cotton farming can be water-intensive and often uses pesticides, though organic options are available.
What are the hypoallergenic properties of cotton?
Cotton is naturally hypoallergenic, making it less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
Can flannel be made from 100% cotton?
Yes, flannel can be made entirely from cotton, which combines the softness of cotton with the extra warmth from the brushing process.
Is cotton or flannel better for summer clothing?
Cotton is generally better for summer clothing due to its lightness and breathability.
What makes flannel different from other warm fabrics like fleece?
Flannel is made from woven fibers and brushed for softness, whereas fleece is typically made from polyester and has a different texture and thermal properties.
Can both cotton and flannel shrink?
Yes, both can shrink if not laundered properly, especially in hot water or high heat drying conditions.
Is flannel suitable for year-round use?
While flannel can be used year-round, its thermal properties make it more comfortable in colder conditions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
