The term "organic cotton" is so often thrown around these days that its likely everyone knows what it is - essentially, organically grown cotton. What does that mean exactly? Well, after a bit of research, I'm here to bring you the facts about EXACTLY what organic cotton means, why it benefits you and the environment, and some easy ways to incorporate it into your wardrobe, house wares etc.
The term "organic cotton" is so often thrown around these days that its likely everyone knows what it is - essentially, organically grown cotton. What does that mean exactly? Well, after a bit of research, I'm here to bring you the facts about EXACTLY what organic cotton means, why it benefits you and the environment, and some easy ways to incorporate it into your wardrobe, house wares etc.
First of all, here are some quick facts about organic cotton from the Organic Trade Association:
What is "organic cotton"?
Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.
How much organic cotton is grown globally?
In 2000-2001, international production was approximately 6,368 metric tons (slightly more than 14 million pounds, or 29,248 bales), grown in 12 countries, according to data from the Pesticide Action Network of the United Kingdom and from the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
This represents about 0.03% of worldwide cotton production. Turkey and the United States were the leading producers of organic cotton, followed by India, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Israel, Greece, Benin and Brazil.
How much organic cotton is grown in the U.S.?
Based on OTA's 2005 survey of U.S. organic cotton producers funded by Cotton Incorporated, farmers in four states harvested 6,814 bales (3,270,720 pounds) of organic cotton from 5,550 acres during 2004. This is an increase from the 4,628 bales harvested from 4,060 acres in 2003. Texas continues to lead the United States in organic cotton production, with limited acreage also planted in California, New Mexico, and Missouri.
In 2005, U.S. farmers planted 6,577 acres of organic cotton. Harvest figures for 2005 are not yet available.
How is the apparel industry involved with organic cotton?
Apparel companies are developing programs that either use 100 percent organically grown cotton, or blend small percentages of organic cotton with conventional cotton in their products. There are a number of companies driving the expanded use of domestic and international organic cotton. For a current list of OTA members with fiber products, visit The Organic Pages Online at http://www.ota.com/.
What kinds of products are made using organic cotton?
As a result of consumer interest, organic cotton fiber is used in everything from personal care items (sanitary products, make-up removal pads, cotton puffs and ear swabs), to home furnishings (towels, bathrobes, sheets, blankets, bedding), children's products (toys, diapers), clothes of all kinds and styles (whether for lounging, sports or the workplace), and even stationery and note cards.
In addition, organic cottonseed is used for animal feed, and organic cottonseed oil is used in a variety of food products, including cookies and chips.
How fast is the organic fiber market growing?
In 2003, organic fiber sales in the United States grew by 22.7 percent over the previous year, to reach $85 million, according to the Organic Trade Association's 2004 Manufacturer Survey. Sales of organic women's clothing during that period grew by 33.6 percent, while organic infant's clothing and diaper sales grew 20.5 percent. Sales of organic men's clothing grew by 11 percent, and children's and teen's clothing sales grew by 15.8 percent. Meanwhile, sales of organic sheets and towels grew by 17.9 percent, and those for organic mattresses and pillows increased 8.3 percent.
The Benefits:
Here is a list of 5 reasons why you should choose organic cotton that I have compiled:
1) Organic products meet stringent standards
Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.
2) Organic production reduces health risks
Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.
3) Organic farms respect our water resources
The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.
4) Organic farmers work in harmony with nature
Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.
5)Organic producers strive to preserve diversity
The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.
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I recently ran into this article which describes how Wal-mart (and so many other big-box retailers) have been incorporating organic cotton clothing into their clothing sections. While I am against places like Wal-Mart because, in Canada for instance, so many smaller stores go out of business because of them, among other things, I do think it can't be a bad thing for larger stores to offer organic cotton clothing. Why? well, as the article mentions - these stores offer organic cotton clothing for low prices and are therefore able to sell them to people who might not otherwise buy organic cotton clothing due to the (perceived?) price difference and availability. Wal-Mart isn't the only company who is doing this - it seems like it is certainly easier to find organic cotton clothing options just about everywhere. As such, the demand for these items is increasing and we are seeing organic cotton (and other sustainable materials) being used in much more stylish ways, by top clothing designers and on much more stuff. This can only be a good thing.
For the environment/how is it grown? what's the dif?
I will refer you to a blog on organic cotton clothing, (if the link doesn't work: http://organicclothing.blogs.com) as they have an extensive list of the process of creating conventional cotton vs. organic cotton, and I think it is worth a read.
Resources:
The Worsted Witch has a great list of companies that use organic cotton in their products.
Here are just a few of the many products that come in organic cotton. Patagonia, for instance, switched to all organic cotton in their clothing (the stuff that was made of cotton of course).
Gorgeous
thanks for the info
1Nice piece of information
2There's some great stuff there!
3Good find. I'd often heard of organic cotton but never known about it.
4That's a great article, I had been doing some research on my own for work, this will help me!
5Hello. I like the post. I would like to review the blog that you referred to at the bottom of the post. The link doesn't work.
"For the environment/how is it grown? what's the dif?
I will refer you to a blog on organic cotton clothing, as they have an extensive list of the process of creating conventional cotton vs. organic cotton, and I think it is worth a read."
Can you please send me the link to this blog that does work?
Thanks!
6I got these recipes for natural cleansers from the website CARE2, they are pretty cheap and simple to make and they do work. The ingredients are enviromentally safe and of course have never been tested on animals.
Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit - How To
By Annie B. Bond, author of “Clean & Green,” (Ceres Press, 1990).
Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally-derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute, and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally-friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a nontoxic and healthy haven.
Nontoxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family's health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.
As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterparts -- and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.
SUPPLIES
baking soda
washing soda
white distilled vinegar
a good liquid soap or detergent
tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars
Read more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update..
MAKE YOUR OWN PRODUCTS
Note: Make sure to label all your homemade cleaning products, and keep them away from pets and children.
CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.
WINDOW CLEANER
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
spray bottle
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.
OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
water
a squirt or two of liquid detergent
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface it totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.
ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 tsp. washing soda
a dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.
FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse, but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.
MOLD KILLERS
Tea Tree Treaure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.
Makes 2 cups
Preparation Time: Under a minute
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in the spray bottle
* Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours
"Life is a gift, unwrap it and enjoy."
7cool info
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