Getting to Know Organic Cotton Clothing: Following the Journey from Certified Organic Field to the Finished Garment

Organic cotton is a familiar favourite to those of us who are living more eco-friendly lives. This fabric is so soft, durable, and versatile, it can be found in everything from organic cotton linens to towels to soft toys to clothing. But are you aware of how truly clean and pure eco-friendly cotton is? Let’s follow organic cotton clothing from its production to processing to see how this wonderful, toxin-free clothing is truly different from its non-organic counterpart at each step of the journey.

Organic Cotton is Different from Non-Organic Cotton from Its Very Beginning until It Reaches Your Closet
• Organic cotton seed is untreated and non-GM. That cuddly, durable, organic cotton tee or pair of organic cotton yoga pants tucked in your dresser began its life as a tiny, humble seed. But that seed had some very unique qualities: Unlike a non-organic cotton seed, an organic seed is neither treated with insecticide or fungicide nor genetically modified in any way, and organic certification guarantees this to be so.
• Organic cotton is grown in a certified organic field. The organic certification process is set up in a way that protects us, as consumers. For a field to be certified organic, the farmer must prove through extensive documentation that the land has been managed organically (without any toxic synthetic pesticides or fertilizers) for at least three years. If there’s any doubt at all, the certifying body can test the soil as verification. Your natural cotton clothing came from a pure, planet-friendly field like this.
• Even the processing of organic cotton is completely free from toxins that can harm us or our planet. Just as earth-friendly cotton is grown without harmful chemicals, the fabric is processed without harsh toxins, as well. For cotton fabric to be labelled as organic, the spinning of the fibres into thread, the processing of that thread into cloth, and the transformation of that textile into garments must strictly adhere to organic regulations and take place in a certified facility. Any dyes and detailing must be all natural, too. 

The People Who Grow Organic Cotton and the Companies Who Turn It into Eco-Friendly Clothing are Special, Too
It’s not only the way that organic cotton is grown and made into fabric and clothing that makes it different from non-organic cotton. The people who have journeyed alongside the eco-friendly cotton are unique, as well: From the small organic and Free Trade farmer to the company that cares enough about our Earth to specialize in the manufacture of organic clothing, you’ll find a philosophy and lifestyle in organic producers and processors that you won’t be as likely to find in the non-organic clothing industry.

Even though cotton is the most widely used natural fibre in the world, many of us will probably never see a cotton field. It’s a comfort to know that we can still be confident that our eco-friendly cotton clothing truly is toxin-free from field to finished product, thanks not only to the commitment of those who grow and process cotton, but also to organic certification bodies around the world. You’re not only buying a clean, healthy, quality garment when you choose organic cotton garb; you’re also supporting people who believe in leaving a smaller, lighter footprint on our planet.