Better for your little ones
A baby’s developing skin is more delicate and permeable than adult skin which makes it more sensitive. Many babies tend to suffer from common skin conditions such as eczema that clear up by early childhood. Organic cotton is a natural fiber that is grown without synthetic chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides. Therefore the clothing is less likely to contain residual chemicals and is considered hypoallergenic. It is also easy to care for and can be washed at high temperatures ensuring dust and residues of creams can be removed.
Better for the environment
Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic substances and using methods that have a low impact on the environment. The farming helps preserve the soil by avoiding the use of fossil-fuel based fertilizers and synthetic pesticides. Farmers instead rely on natural systems and cycles to grow the crop with natural forms of pest control. Healthy soil acts like a sponge, soaking up water during floods and holding it longer during droughts. Thus, less water is used and waterways are kept cleaner too.
Better for farmers
Organic cotton farming supports safer working environments and livelihoods for farmers, fieldworkers, and nearby communities. In many countries, cotton is still picked by hand, thus exposing even fieldworkers to all the synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in traditional cotton farming. In addition, these chemicals can seep into the water supply, affecting the wider community, too. Organic cotton production also brings financial benefit for farmers as they can receive higher market prices for their cotton.
The GOTS certification is recognized as the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers. We strive to promote brands that are GOTS certified. Currently, we do also partner with brands that are using organic cotton but are not yet certified with the hope that with support they can too.
What about other natural fabrics?
A common choice for sustainable and natural clothing is bamboo and it is now common in children's clothing. In theory it seems like a low-impact option since the bamboo crop grows rapidly and doesn't need a lot of water or fertilizer. Unfortunately the process that turns bamboo into a textile is complicated and the truth is that it is wildly misrepresented. The fibers that make up bamboo textiles are considered regenerated fibers since they are man-made fibers that have been artificially created using natural materials. And how does the hard and fibrous bamboo crop get processed into soft fabric? Often through a chemically intense process which is similar to the way rayon is produced which involves that use of chemicals such as sodium hydrosize and cardon disulfide.
Read more more bamboo fabrics here: Ecocult - Greenwashing Alert: What is bamboo fabric and is it sustainable?