What Are Cotton Balls?

A cotton ball is a ball of soft fiber that is primarily used for medical or cosmetic purposes, but can be used for other purposes such as arts and crafts or cleaning. They originate from the cotton plant, which is a shrub that is found in sub-tropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Cotton grows in bolls which are located around the seeds of the plants. Although the cotton can be used in its natural form, the fibers can be spun into other products such as bed sheets and clothing or refined and sterilized for everyday and medical uses.

Cotton balls have multiple uses in the medical field including cleaning out wounds with hydrogen peroxide or iodine, applying topical ointments such as salves and creams, and stopping blood after a shot is given. Surgical procedures also require their use for soaking up internal blood. Also, they are used to pad a wound before it is bandaged.

Using cotton balls for application and removal of cosmetics is another popular use. Foundations, bronzers, powders and blushes are sometimes applied with cotton balls. Nail polish is usually removed with nail polish remover that is soaked on a cotton ball. Because cosmetic cotton balls are sterile, they are a great tool for removing eye makeup with special remover, or applying skin care products such as astringents and toners. When people choose to use cotton balls on their faces, they avoid touching their skin with their fingers which can lead to unpleasant blemishes.

In addition to medical and cosmetic uses, cotton balls may be used for other non-traditional uses, such as cleaning. When cleaning small areas that are hard to reach, the flexibility of a cotton ball will allow reaching such areas as behind a faucet or any other place that a sponge won’t fit into. If a child has diaper rash, cotton balls are softer than a rag and are used to help wash the baby’s bottom area.

Cotton balls may also be used for a number of art and craft projects, such as a bunny’s tail, Santa’s beard, clouds, spider webs, fog and snow. Snowmen, lambs or sheep may also be made with cotton balls. Painting or ink stamping with a cotton ball will give an original stroke or print when trying to create the appearance of texture in an art project.