Organic Cotton T-shirts
Organic cotton or eco-friendly is another excellent natural fabric. It grows in controlled settings with no pesticides, herbicides, or other chemical fertilizers. Organic cotton is best for your health & the environment. It feels softer, smells cleaner & is less likely to trigger allergies.
Organic agriculture fiber & food protects the health of people & the earth. It reduces the overall exposure to toxic chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water & food supply. Since organic agriculture does not use toxic pesticides, choosing natural products is an easy way to help protect the environment & yourself. Organic cotton is an excellent green choice.
Organic Cotton Certifications
Certified organic cotton must adhere to a strict set of guidelines based on the scientific method of organic agriculture. Organic cotton farming uses up to 60% less water than conventional cotton farming methods. If you start with organic cotton for your t-shirt project, you end up with a much higher quality product with more exceptional durability. Natural cotton fabrics get certified under one or more of the following certifications:
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- OCS Blended – Organic Content Standard
- OCS 100 – Organic Content Standard
Advantages
Eco Print: Organic cotton is grown using methods & materials, having a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish & maintain the fertility of the soil. Moreover, it reduces the utilization of toxic & persistent pesticides & fertilizers. It helps to build biologically diverse agriculture, making natural cotton eco-friendly fabric.
Moisture Absorbent: Organic cotton is beneficial in textile production due to its natural wicking properties, absorption of dye color & its potential to stabilize other eco fibers.
Feel of Fabric: Clothing made up of organic cotton has the feel of linen without weight. Since organic cotton doesn’t chemically strip off its natural wax, most weaves have a characteristic smoothness & weight. This process makes the fabric flattering in its drape & in the mellow way it reflects & absorbs light.
Anti Allergenic: Some allergies can be the result of chemicals in cotton fibers we either wear or sleep on.
Disadvantages
Organic cotton garments are sometimes available in limited colors because traditional dyes use chemicals.
Caring for Eco-Friendly or Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is easy to care for. Machine wash in cold water with other same colors. Skip the chlorine bleach & fabric softener & reduce your eco-footprint even more. Pre-shrunk organic white cotton t-shirt – tumble dry or hang to dry. Iron if desired.
FAQ on eco-friendly or Organic Cotton
How do I know if it’s organic?
Make sure your organic cotton product is certified by checking the label. Different certifying entities have global standards for sustainable natural textiles worldwide. Typically, for cotton to be classified as organic, it must be grown in soil that has been free from prohibited substances for at least the last three years before harvest.
Why does organic cotton often cost more than conventional?
It’s not that organic cotton “costs more” it’s that traditional cotton “costs too less” as it does not cover all its actual costs. Health & environmental costs are externalized, meaning neither the buyer nor the retailer ‘pay’ for them, the farmer & the environment does. When a reasonable price gets paid, it makes an enormous difference to producers & only a small difference to the buyer.
Is organic cotton better quality/better for me?
There is not any proof of a health benefit in wearing/the use of textiles made with natural cotton. However, there are significant differences between natural & traditional cotton with regards to how the cotton is grown (without toxic or persistent chemicals) – which affects our land, water & the farmers who grow the cotton.