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Mercerized cotton is sometimes referred to as pearl or pearle cotton. It is cotton yarn or fabric which has been put through a series of processes, to increase its luster, strengthen, have desirable water handling properties, resist mildew, affinity to dye and reduces lint. Cotton with long staple fiber lengths responds best to mercerization. Mercerized cotton absorbs more water and dye than unmercerized cotton, and that the twist in the yarn will affect the water handling properties. The brilliant, lustrous hues of Mercerized cotton can be found in fabric stores, yarn shops, and department stores all over the world.

Mercerization starts with gathering the cotton and spinning it normally. Because cottons with long fibers take better to mercerization, Pima, Egyptian, and Sea Island cotton are usually chosen for the process. The cotton thread is held under tension and submerged in a highly alkaline bath of sodium hydroxide in a percentage which ranges, but usually hovers around 22%. After treatment, the mercerized cotton is placed into an acidic bath to neutralize it. Once this process is complete, the cotton can be dyed and knitted, woven or packed as stand-alone spools of thread.

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