Mercerising

Mercerising is a finishing process for cotton, named after its inventor John Mercer.

Treatment with caustic soda

Treatment with caustic soda makes the cotton fibre smoother again, and its natural surface sheen visibly increases. At the same time, the material becomes more shape-stable.

Why this matters for your underwear

Mercerised underwear noticeably keeps its shape better through many washes, while the enhanced sheen also gives it a more refined look.

Learn more about the refining of underwear fabrics in our Underwear Glossary.