Clothing made from cotton is considered to be one of the most popular types of clothing. Cotton is the most common natural clothing material. It is vital to buy cotton if we wish to be eco-friendly. Sustainability tends to glorify all things organic and we tend to assume that anything that is natural and organic must be of greater environmental benefit. Cotton is no different. However, organic cotton isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t provide a perfect solution. The following information will help you choose more wisely the next time you go shopping.
What are the advantages of organic cotton? Let’s find out!
Benefits of Organic Cotton
Chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not used to grow organic cotton.
Furthermore, organic cotton crops cannot be genetically modified. The plant is protected from insects, fungi, and weeds by using natural pesticides and insecticides. When cultivated organically, the soil is also nurtured in a natural way.
Here are some additional benefits of organic cotton:
Using Fewer Chemicals
The fact that organic cotton uses fewer toxic chemicals is already a big advantage.
Pesticides and insecticides are heavily used in cotton farming. It accounts for more than 10% of all pesticides and insecticides in the world. Some of these are very harsh chemicals. The environment is destroyed and biodiversity is severely impacted. We can also suffer health effects from them.
Sustainability in Production
It has been studied by the Textile Exchange how organic cotton differs from regular cotton.
A recent study reported that organic cotton production, from seeding to baling, is significantly more sustainable than conventional cotton production.
Organic cotton production is less harmful to the environment than conventional cotton. Compared to conventional cotton, organic cotton doesn’t have the same impact on water quality and biodiversity. Additionally, organic cotton poses fewer risks for acidification and global warming.
Organic Dying Method
As the dying process is the most toxic, it is also important to examine this. Chemically dyeing cotton can be highly harmful and hazardous to workers, as well as muddying the water and making it dangerous for aquatic life.
Another advantage of organic dying is that it is more eco-friendly than non-organic. It is important to emphasize that not all organic cotton garments are dyed organically.
Skin-Friendly
As we just discussed, harmful dyes, fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides in the clothing don’t simply disappear once they reach the retailer. In fact, they become more contaminated once they reach the retailer.
These substances can be absorbed by the skin if they are not washed off before use. Thus, organic cotton, which uses fewer chemicals, is healthier for your skin and body. As a matter of fact, organic cotton is one of the safest materials you can wear. In addition, organic cotton clothes have a softer feel due to their long fibers.
A Longer-lasting Product
Cotton that is organic also seems to last longer than regular cotton. These chemicals can damage cotton fibers, resulting in poor-quality textiles. Cotton fibers derived from organic sources are longer and more closely woven. The result is higher quality and more durable clothing made from organic cotton.