Organic has become a major trend for health-conscious consumers. Clothing made from natural fibers is generally better for the environment and more sustainable than synthetic fabrics, such as polyester and nylon, which feature oil-based products.

1. Top 5 Reasons to Wear Organic Cotton
Organic has become a major trend for health-conscious consumers. Clothing made from natural
fibers is generally better for the environment and more sustainable than synthetic fabrics, such
as polyester and nylon, which feature oil-based products. They also have other benefits, such as
being more breathable and comfortable. However, like other crops, many of these fibers, and
particularly cotton, grow with the help of chemical pesticides, which wreaks havoc at every
level. Organic cotton offers numerous benefits over traditionally grown cotton and other
materials. Consider the five reasons to choose organic cotton clothing.
1. Organic Cotton is Chemical Free
Choosing organic cotton is great for anyone looking to remove chemicals and toxins from their
lives. Organic farmers do not use any chemical pesticides and fertilizers. They also commit to
using non-genetically modified ingredients. In the U.S., these farmers also face strict regulation
and oversight, including inspections. Foreign producers wanting to import to the U.S. must also
undergo certification. Any organic product is subject to strict labeling requirements as well. The
U.S. Department of Agriculture lays out specific guidelines for organic clothing labels:
It is worth noting that containing organic fibers does not ensure that the manufacturing process
is entirely organic. Clothing made in compliance with the Global Organic Textile Standard
(GOTS) may also hit the market as "organic" in the U.S., but again, there are differences in
products made with 95 to 100 percent organic fibers and those made with at least 70 percent
organic materials.

2. Cotton Products Appear in Food, Too
Cotton comprises shirts, dresses, and even denim, but it also makes its way into food products.
Cottonseed oil is useful as cooking oil or in condiments, such as salad dressings. It is also an
ingredient in some baked goods, such as cookies, as well as salty snacks, such as chips.
Moreover, some farmers feed the cottonseed hull, where pesticides can accumulate, to
livestock, which means pesticides from non-organic cotton can even reach dairy products and
meat. Opting for organic food helps reduce the problem.
2. Organic Cotton is Better for Sensitive Skin and Allergies
Even in the manufacturing process, most traditionally grown cotton faces various chemical
treatments and harsh dyes. Organic clothing also does not go through the same chemical
treatments. If dyed, the material's dyeing features low-impact or natural colorants. For those
reasons, organic cotton clothing can reduce irritation and minimize allergic reactions. Babies
and children have much thinner and more sensitive skin than adults, which makes them even
more prone to these sensitivities. Look for organic cotton children's clothes. You can also find
organic cotton baby products, from clothing to cloth diapers.
3. Organic Cotton is Better for the Environment
Cotton is one of the world's "dirtiest" crops; despite making up about 2.5 percent of all the
world's agriculture, it uses about 25 percent of the world's insecticides and 10 percent of the

3. world's pesticides, according to the Soil Association and the Organic Trade Association. Those
chemicals can contaminate groundwater, harm biodiversity, and affect soil fertility.
Groundwater contamination can even affect oxygen levels in the water and harm aquatic life.
By contrast, organic farming methods restore nutrients to the ground, do not contaminate
groundwater, and can actually help other plants and animals thrive. Organic farming also helps
offset the effects of climate change by locking CO2 in the soil and reducing greenhouse gases
released into the environment by avoiding fossil fuel-based fertilizers in favor of organic ones.
4. Organic Cotton is Better for Farmers
Chemicals used in traditional farming methods not only wreak havoc on the environment; they
have a devastating effect on the people who contact them. With the vast majority (75 percent)
of the world's cotton grown in developing nations, the impact it has on those farmers is crucial
to note. Some of the chemicals used, such as Aldicarb, can be lethal to people, while others can
cause sickness or birth defects. Many farmers in rural areas pick the cotton by hand, thus
increasing their risk of exposure. Growing organic cotton is far safer for the farmers, and it can
even be less expensive for the farmers because they do not have to purchase expensive
chemicals.
5. Organic Cotton Clothing is Often Manufactured Under Higher Standards
Companies that manufacture organic clothing often have the same sort of values as their
consumers. More companies are embracing social responsibility and ensuring their products
come about ethically. Do your research into different companies and learn what steps they take
to minimize their impact on the environment.
In addition to looking for certified organic clothing, you can also ensure the ethical manufacture
of your garments by choosing Fairtrade cotton. FLO International, the global organization
behind the movement, works to ensure that cotton farmers, both organic and nonorganic,
receive a fair, living wage for their work. You can also look for clothing manufacturers who
participate in the Better Cotton Initiative, a global effort to make cotton production sustainable
and abide by ethical standards.