Banknotes Are Not Made from Paper

If you’ve ever accidentally sent a banknote through the washing machine, you've witnessed its remarkable resilience. Unlike a grocery list or a newspaper, it doesn't dissolve into a pulpy mess. This is because the currency in your pocket isn't made from wood pulp paper at all. Instead, most banknotes, including the US dollar, are printed on a specialized substrate made from a blend of about 75% cotton and 25% linen. This textile-based composition gives the notes their distinct feel and allows them to withstand thousands of folds, moisture, and the general wear and tear of daily circulation, far outlasting any wood-based paper.

This practice has historical roots in early papermaking, which often used discarded cloth rags as a primary material. As currency evolved, so did the need for enhanced durability and security. Today, this evolution continues with the rise of polymer banknotes. First introduced by Australia in 1988, these plastic notes are now used by dozens of countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Made from a thin, flexible polymer, they last significantly longer than their cotton counterparts and can incorporate advanced security features like transparent windows and holographic elements, making them incredibly difficult to counterfeit. These modern notes are also cleaner, as their non-porous surface resists dirt and moisture.