You probably know a thing or two about organic food, but what about organic clothing? What comes to your mind when you hear these two words?
By definition, organic clothing is made from organic, natural materials that have been cultivated according to the guidelines of organic farming. It’s part of a movement that aims to produce quality clothes from materials that are grown organically and with little to no carbon footprint.
In simpler terms, the plants haven’t been genetically modified, radiated, or treated with any toxic substances, therefore benefiting both the environment and the consumers.
There’s a lot more to know about organic clothing, so we’ll discuss some of them below!
How is organic clothing related to sustainable clothing?
Sustainable clothing and organic clothing are often interchanged, but just a friendly reminder that they’re not the same!
Organic clothing emphasises the use of organic natural materials, while sustainable clothing promotes recycling and reusing of materials. Both aim to make a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon footprint and waste materials.
What are organic clothing materials and fabrics?
We all know the most common type of fabric is cotton, but for it to count as organic, it should meet the regulations established by Organic Trade Association about fibre production, processing, and handling.
Since organic cotton isn’t genetically modified nor exposed to chemicals, they not only have a positive effect on the quality of clothes but on the people involved in their production as well.
You’ll often see organic cotton used in all sorts of products, including sanitary items, towels, diapers, bedsheets, and more.
Meanwhile, commonly produced cotton uses up significantly more water, and is more prone to infestation. It’s said that more than 8,000 chemicals will be applied in the production of an ordinary piece of clothing.
Besides cotton, bamboo, hemp, and silk are also common organic fabrics used in making clothes.
Bamboo is the most popular choice for sportswear because of its natural moisture-wicking features. Similar to silk, hemp is a strong and smooth material that requires little water and no pesticides to grow.
Why choose organic clothing?
For starters, the traditional method of growing plants for fabrics puts the environment at risk, as well as the people involved in farming. This should be enough reason for you to choose clothes made from natural, organic materials.
Anyway, here are other reasons why you should wear organic clothing:
- Environmentally-friendly – Producing organic fabrics requires lower carbon because of the lesser energy and fuel consumption. It also doesn’t contaminate our waters since it goes through a chemical-free production process.
- Safety standards – to minimise the impact on the environment, manufacturers adhere to strict and rigid manufacturing standards and ethical guidelines.
- Lower production costs – to make non-organic cotton resistant to pests and diseases, it needs to be treated with various chemicals. The absence of these dangerous and toxic substances makes the production of organic fabrics cheaper.
- No allergies and skin concerns – chemicals used in farming non-organic fabrics could trigger all sorts of skin allergies and concerns. With organic clothing, there’s virtually no chemical retention from farming. It’s smoother and feels better on the skin too.
- More responsible citizens – the idea that organic clothing makes a positive impact on the environment can encourage people to make more responsible decisions. It serves as a reminder that we have the option to live a healthier life and at the same time protect the environment.
