Glazed or mercerized cotton is a high-quality thread with a little shine to it due to its highly polished nature. It’s also more durable than your usual weave of cotton. As a result, this 100% cotton product is known for its breathable nature that gives off a comfortable feeling when worn.
It’s characterized by a smooth silky appearance with a glazy surface, a summer stitch texture, and being made from a dry handle cotton yarn.
Is Glazed Cotton Thread Microwave-Safe?
Glazed cotton thread is microwave-safe because cotton is microwave-safe. Although glazed cotton is silkier and more satin-like, the best choice for microwaving is still cotton. It’s not as flammable as silk. You can do various microwave handicraft projects with glazed cotton as your thread of choice.
As long as your thread is made from 100% natural materials they should remain microwave-safe when push comes to shove. Beware of any blends that contain synthetic materials, because it’s those synthetic materials that could melt or ignite when microwaved.
Further reading: Can You Microwave Polyester Thread? Learn Why or Why Not with This Handy Guide!
This could then result in your microwaveable project getting burned or even set aflame, at which point it doesn’t matte how microwave-proof it is, it will end up in smoke.
But Doesn’t Glazed Cotton Have a Satin Finish? Wouldn’t That Make It More Flammable?
Glazed cotton is still 100% cotton. Therefore, even if it’s satin-like it’s still not satin. It’s still microwaveable and isn’t as flammable as satin or silk. You can use it for microwave projects compared to synthetics like polyester.
If you’re new to sewing, you’re probably less concerned about how microwavable glazed cotton is and you’re more curious about what glazed cotton is anyway. What is glazed cotton? What is mercerized cotton? How do you make glazed cotton?
You should probably not use it for cooking though. Use food-safe dishes made of ceramic, glass, or microwave-safe plastic for food microwaving.
What is Glazed or Mercerized Cotton Anyway?
Glazed or mercerized cotton is a cotton type that has gone through a special textile finishing treatment, leading to the glazed, silken look. Mercerization is when cotton is treated with a solution of 20% to 30% sodium hydroxide. Afterwards, the threads get a thorough wash to get rid of the chemical.
This then results in a glazed, lustrous look. The closest cotton can get to becoming silk-like or satin-like. The treatment also imparts other amazing benefits and features. It has improved dye uptake, increased tear resistance, and reduced shrinkage.
Many crafters find glazed cotton easy to use, even those who are novices when it comes to sewing or view the act as more of a chore than a pleasurable hobby.
What are Some Microwave-Safe Thread Options?
The best choice for microwave-safe thread options for making microwaveable heating pads is cotton, followed by anything else that’s natural and organic instead of synthetic or a blend of natural and synthetic. Synthetic threads tend to melt when microwaved.
The issue with acrylic and synthetic threads is that they run the risk of catching fire or melting when exposed to high temperatures. They do absorb microwave radiation and raise their temperature as a result. Cotton is less likely to catch fire with multiple microwave ray exposure.
Cotton has been extensively tested for microwave ability or microwave-safeness for microwave arts and crafts. You can also use other natural materials as long as they’re 100% natural. If they’re blends containing synthetic materials they run the risk of catching fire regardless.
Can Fabric Go Inside the Microwave?
If you want to make heating pads you can microwave you’re probably curious whether or not it’s a good idea to put any fabric inside your microwave. Microwaves are designed specifically for heating, cooking, or defrosting food. It’s not designed for heating up fabrics, correct?
Well, yes. However, there are non-food materials you can safely put inside your microwave that won’t damage it or cause a fire hazard. There are some fabrics you can’t expose to any kind of heating by microwave or even by clothing iron.
However, some fabrics are highly resistant to heat such that you can use them for heating pads (as opposed to rubber and vinyl hot water bottles). You can zap cotton and wool safely inside your microwave without any worries.
Can 100% Cotton Batting Be Used in the Microwave?
Batting or wadding is used in various quilting and sewing projects. It provides in between fabrics a warm, heavy layer of insulation. There’s a wide range of batting types available that are almost as varied as the number of applications for them. Here are some of the more widely known batting types.
Cotton Batting
Cotton batting can be used in the microwave because it’s 100% cotton and 100% microwaveable. As long as your insulating layer or fabric isn’t made of synthetics you’re good to go.
It also ensures you’ll enjoy maximum comfort and soft texture all around. Strictly speaking, batting made from 100% cotton gives you around ⅛ inches of thickness.
Wool Batting
Wool batting is microwavable as well since it’s also a 100% natural fiber. It’s also insulation that’s crease-resistant, springy, warm, and lightweight. It’s even amazingly easy to work with. Wool batting is an excellent choice for those who want to keep their fabrics 100% natural.
In thickness terms, you should expect an extra ½ inches of thickness added to your fabric material, whether it’s cotton or wool.
Polyester Batting
Polyester batting shouldn’t be microwaved even if it’s used on natural fiber fabrics as though it’s a natural and synthetic blend. Aside from that, people prefer this insulation type because it adds warm without weight, it’s thick yet light, and it retains its shape excellently.
It’s not as breathable as other synthetic fabrics but it’s mildew and mold resistant. In terms of thickness, the batting ranges from 1-inch thickness, 1/2 –inch thickness, ¾-inch thickness, and ⅜-inch thickness.
Final Considerations
In a nutshell, the “pimped-up” version of cotton can be microwaved. Cotton, in general, is microwaveable so glazed cotton thread should also be fine inside your microwave. You can use it for making microwavable heating bags and the like.
Glazed or mercerized cotton is basically just cotton but pimped up when all said is done. Cotton is one fabric that can take a few nukes from your microwave oven without it going up in flames. It’s the same deal with wool or fleece and other natural threads.
References:
- James V., “Microwave-Safe Thread: Can You Microwave Polyester Thread?“, SewingisCool.com, Retrieved August 4, 2021
- “Connecting Threads 100% Cotton Thread Sets – 1200 Yard Spools (Set of 10 – Cream)“, Amazon.com, Retrieved August 4, 2021
