I. Characteristics of Black-Hearted Cotton:

1. Dull and lusterless.

2. The texture feels non-elastic.

3. Not smooth; tends to stick to clothing.

4. When the bundled fibers are torn with both hands, the fracture is clean and the fiber strength is extremely low.

5. Chemically bleached products may have an unpleasant odor. “Black‑heart cotton” that has undergone bleaching poses a significant health risk. Not only does it damage the waxy cuticle layer on the surface of cotton fibers, but the fiber lumen and cell walls also absorb substantial amounts of chemical agents. Direct contact with the skin can cause symptoms such as itching, allergic reactions, and difficulty breathing; prolonged use may lead to illness.

II. Methods for Identifying Inferior Cotton:

1. Visual inspection: Generally speaking, “black‑heart cotton” appears less smooth and somewhat rough, whereas high‑quality cotton has a bright, white luster.

2. Texture. Genuine cotton feels soft and slightly resilient, with a pleasant hand feel, whereas “black‑heart cotton” appears to contain impurities and feels rough to the touch.

3. Tearing. By tearing the cotton, consumers can assess its strength; typically, “black‑heart cotton” will snap apart with a single tear.

4. Odor. If the cotton wadding is made from synthetic fibers, the raw material should come from a synthetic fiber manufacturer, not from rags or industrial waste processed into chemical fibers. Genuine synthetic fibers typically have a uniform color, a consistent length, minimal dust, good elasticity, and no unpleasant odor; otherwise, the product is substandard or counterfeit.

5. Color. If the cotton wadding is unevenly colored or even contains thread ends and scraps of fabric, it is likely a low‑quality product made by reprocessing industrial waste.

6. Combustion: “Black‑heart cotton” undergoes a bleaching process during manufacturing, and a faint sour odor can be detected upon close sniffing. When burned, high‑quality cotton produces no pungent smell, whereas “black‑heart cotton” emits a distinct, irritating odor.