In textiles and everyday clothing, fabric made from which of the following fibres does not get wrinkled easily and therefore tends to retain a smooth, crease free appearance for longer?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Polyester

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Different fabrics behave differently when we wear and wash them. Some fabrics wrinkle very easily and require frequent ironing, while others stay relatively smooth and crease free. This difference arises from the structure and properties of the fibres that make up the fabric. Understanding which fibres are more wrinkle resistant helps in choosing clothes for convenience and appearance. This question asks you to identify the fibre whose fabric usually does not get wrinkled easily compared with common natural fibres.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The options are cotton, flax (linen), silk and polyester.
  • Cotton and flax are natural plant based fibres.
  • Silk is a natural animal fibre from silkworms.
  • Polyester is a synthetic polymer based fibre.
  • We look at how easily fabrics made from these fibres wrinkle under normal use.


Concept / Approach:
Wrinkling in fabrics occurs when fibres are bent and creased and do not spring back easily to their original shape. Natural cellulose fibres like cotton and flax tend to absorb moisture and have less elasticity, so they crease readily and hold wrinkles until they are ironed out. Silk drapes well and may wrinkle less than cotton, but it can still show creases and needs careful care. Polyester, on the other hand, is a synthetic fibre with high resilience and elastic recovery. Its polymer chains are able to return to their original form after being deformed, making polyester fabrics much more resistant to wrinkling. That is why many easy care garments are made from polyester or polyester blends, which require less ironing and maintain a smooth look for longer.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider cotton fabrics. Cotton is comfortable and breathable but is well known for creasing easily and needing regular ironing to remove wrinkles. Step 2: Consider flax (linen) fabrics. Linen feels cool but wrinkles even more easily than cotton and usually looks creased after sitting or bending. Step 3: Consider silk fabrics. Silk has a smooth, lustrous appearance and drapes beautifully, but delicate silk garments can still wrinkle and often require gentle ironing or steaming. Step 4: Examine polyester fabrics. Polyester fibres are flexible and resilient, and fabrics made from them often keep their shape and resist forming permanent creases. Step 5: Based on this comparison, conclude that polyester is the fibre whose fabric does not wrinkle easily and is widely used for wrinkle resistant clothing.


Verification / Alternative check:
Textile science references and clothing care guides describe cotton and linen as fibres that crease readily due to their cellulose structure, which allows hydrogen bonds to form in new positions while the fabric is folded. In contrast, polyester fibres have a thermoplastic synthetic structure that provides better crease recovery. Clothing labels often advertise polyester and polyester blend garments as easy care, wrinkle resistant or no iron. Practical experience also confirms that polyester garments, such as shirts, trousers and uniforms, tend to stay smooth longer than pure cotton or linen garments under similar use. These observations support the conclusion that polyester is less prone to wrinkling.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a, cotton, is incorrect because cotton fibres crease easily and hold wrinkles until they are ironed out.

Option b, flax (linen), is also incorrect because linen is especially known for wrinkling quickly, even though it is cool and comfortable to wear.

Option c, silk, while smoother than cotton and linen, can still wrinkle and often needs careful maintenance. It is not as wrinkle resistant as polyester.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners may choose silk because they associate it with luxury and smoothness, forgetting that silk garments still crease and require gentle care. Others may underestimate how easily cotton and linen wrinkle because they focus on their comfort rather than their appearance after wear. To answer correctly, it helps to recall the everyday experience of washing and wearing these fabrics: polyester garments usually come out of the wash less creased and keep their shape better than pure cotton, linen or silk. This practical comparison guides you to pick polyester as the correct answer.


Final Answer:
Fabric made from Polyester does not get wrinkled easily and tends to stay smooth for longer.

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