Cotton is undoubtedly one of the most popular materials used in clothing. When shopping, you're increasingly finding clothes made from organic cotton. What is organic cotton, and why are items made from it more expensive? What are the differences between regular cotton and organic cotton? Find the answers below!
Organic cotton – what is it?
Organic cotton, also known as bio-cotton, is sourced from ecological plantations that do not use pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or insecticides. In the case of conventional cotton, growers use these to minimize losses and thus increase production. As you might imagine, this comes at the expense of the planet and the consumer, as toxic pesticides are harmful to both the environment and skin, especially sensitive skin. Natural, biodegradable substances are used in the cultivation of bio-cotton, and human intervention is kept to a minimum . The entire production process is strictly controlled, all with the environment in mind.
What is organic cotton?
Other factors also contribute to the labeling of a cotton fabric as organic. For example, the production process for organic cotton uses significantly less water than conventional crops. Another difference concerns the harvesting process – thanks to manual weeding, the cotton is much cleaner. Finally, the fiber processing method involves natural, gentle cleaning agents – no chemical bleaching. Dyeing the fabric also utilizes naturally derived dyes. As you can see, for cotton to be called organic, it must meet numerous requirements – from cultivation, through harvesting, to processing.
Organic cotton – what does it mean in practice?
How important is it to consumers whether a given cotton is organic or not? Do the factors described above affect cotton quality in any way? Absolutely! The processing process determines, among other things, the thickness of a single fiber, which translates into the material's softness. Clothing made from organic cotton is more pleasant to the touch and durable. T-shirts and sweatshirts made from it won't fray or pill , and thanks to their increased elasticity, they won't lose their shape or deform as quickly as items made from standard cotton. Importantly, organic cotton clothing is not only comfortable to wear but also completely safe for all skin types, including infants' and skin prone to irritation and allergies. This is why organic cotton is used in products such as children's clothing and underwear.
Cotton and organic cotton
Growing consumer awareness is leading more and more people to choose organic cotton clothing. However, it's important to remember that organic cotton clothing should be certified to demonstrate its sustainable production process . When looking for organic cotton products, it's worth paying attention to the following labels:
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), which means that the material from which a given item is made meets all requirements – from production, through processing, to packaging and labeling.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100 does not apply exclusively to organic fibers, but its presence guarantees that no substances harmful to health were used in the production of a given material.
- Naturtextil means that the material is fully organic and its production was carried out by people who were guaranteed a fair wage and good working conditions.
💡 REMEMBER: If you see "organic cotton" or "organic cotton" in a product description or on a label, make sure the item is certified. Some brands use these terms despite lacking proper certification, but their products, even those made of 100% cotton, may contain chemicals like color-fixing agents that can irritate the skin. These chemicals won't be found in clothing made from organic cotton! If you're interested in organic cotton clothing but have doubts about the material's origins, it's best to simply avoid the purchase.
Why is it worth choosing organic cotton?
It's impossible not to notice that you have to pay more for an item made from organic cotton than for the same item made from regular, uncertified cotton. It's important to remember that the higher price of organic cotton is due to a strictly controlled production process that has a smaller impact on the planet, and the final product that ends up in the consumer's hands is of higher quality. An organic cotton T-shirt will certainly last longer than the cheapest T-shirt from a chain store, so investing in it is fully justified. Remember: by purchasing organic cotton clothing, you support sustainable production, which doesn't contribute to environmental degradation to the same extent as the production process of regular cotton.
Olga
