Cotton, the five-thousand-year-old crop, is the most cultivated plant in the world. India is largest organic cotton producers (more than 50% of production) in the world. Most of our clothes are made with cotton. But, what are the true benefits of organic cotton clothing?
Organic cotton is better for your skin and better for the environment. Organic cotton is one of the cleanest fabrics you can wear. A garment made with organic cotton won’t have any chemical traces. So it’s better for your health. Organic cotton is also a very soft and durable fabric that will last you for years.
Want to know more benefits that organic cotton has for you? Read on.
What are the Benefits of Organic Cotton?
The benefits of organic cotton are multi-fold. The crop is both better for the environment. And the resulting fibre is better for humans as well.
Hypoallergenic
Organic cotton is grown without chemical fertilisers or pesticides. That means the crop is clean and has no remnants of chemicals. Chemicals aren’t used at further stages of processing. So the fabric is completely safe for those with sensitive skin.
It’s a Sustainable Option
Fast fashion is one of the largest destructors of the world today. This is why sustainability is becoming a huge necessity in every aspect. If you’re a person who makes it a point to wear sustainable fashion, organic cotton is one of the best options.
Organic cotton entails that there is no unnecessary chemicals input during the cultivation period. As a result, the soil does not get polluted while cultivating the organic cotton crop. Organic cotton also doesn’t get sprayed with pesticides. Organic cotton farming emits 94% less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional farming.
Breathable
Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics. That’s why it’s the most preferred fabric for summer. The pesticide-free fibre feels breathable on your skin. Organic cotton also absorbs moisture very well. So if you sweat in your clothes, the fabric will wick away the moisture immediately. Though organic cotton is highly breathable, you won’t feel that the material is transparent or thin.
Most Comfortable
Cotton is one of the softest fabrics in the world. One feature of cotton is that the fabric gets softer with each wash. So the longer you wear it, the softer it gets. Organic cotton has long fibres. And the fibres aren’t damaged during the production process. This makes organic cotton very comfortable to wear.
Since organic cotton is hand-picked as opposed to machine-picked, the stalks of the fibre aren’t broken. This makes the resulting fabric feel luxurious. Organic cotton is especially preferred for making clothing for babies as the fabric is one of the softest. You can also make all other types of clothing with organic cotton. The material is very versatile and can be dyed and spun.
Durable
One would think that the soft material of organic cotton results in flimsy clothing that tears easily. Organic cotton is one of the strongest fibres in the world. Though extremely soft, cotton can withstand rough use and harsh washing.
Fibre pilling is when the broken fabric gets tangled together, and round balls form on the surface of your clothes. It is a sign of damage that happens during regular wear. But since organic cotton is a 100% natural fibre, it does not pill very easily. Because the fibre isn’t exposed to chemicals, the fibre’s quality is excellent. So though it is expensive, the resulting fabric is a better investment.
Easy to Maintain
Cotton is one of the easiest fabrics to maintain. Yes, it wrinkles easily, but that can also be removed easily. You only need soap and cold water to wash cotton clothes. Stains can be easily removed from the fabric. Since the material is naturally soft, you won’t need to waste money on fabric softeners or conditioners. Gentle washing is all the fabric needs to last you for years.
Better Quality End Product
The organic cotton crop is not weathered or harmed by harsh chemicals during farming or processing. This results in a high-quality end product. The organic cotton fabric is typically dyed only with organic or natural dyes. So your entire ensemble will be chemical-free. The high-quality fabric will look just as good as new even after a couple of years.
Organic cotton fibres are typically woven into the fabric using a knit pattern. This gives organic cotton a stretchable property without using artificial fibres like elastane or polyester. This is why t-shirts are often made with organic cotton. Organic cotton can also shrink up to 3%, especially when the proper washing instructions aren’t followed. But because the fibre is naturally stretchy, the shrinkage won’t be a big issue.
Organic cotton also has a good ability to absorb dyes. So an organic cotton garment will not bleed too much. So it’s safer to wash along with other clothes.
The Benefits Of Organic Cotton For Babies?
Organic cotton is one of the softest clothing materials that you can buy. Babies typically have very soft and sensitive skin. Even the wrong type of fabric detergent can harm them significantly. So choosing the right fabric to dress your babies in is an important decision for a parent.
Organic cotton is free of pesticides and chemicals. So the fabric will not harm your baby’s skin. Since it is very breathable, the fabric will help regulate the temperature of your child’s skin. If the climate is too hot, the fabric will allow sweat to be evaporated away. But if the climate is cold, organic cotton can keep your child warm.
Baby’s clothes need to be washed often because newborns often spit up on their clothes or soil them. If the fabric you choose is not the best quality, you’ll find yourself buying new baby clothes very frequently. But because organic cotton is highly durable, the fibres can withstand frequent washing. And another benefit is that the fabric will get gentler every time you wash it.
Many newborns get a condition called “baby acne”, which appears as marks on the child’s face or body. Though this isn’t an alarming condition, one of the alleviating measures is dressing your child in breathable clothing. Organic cotton clothing will be soothing for the child and allow sufficient air to pass through. Organic cotton is also a great fabric if your child develops heat rashes, baby eczema, or diaper rashes.
Final Words
The only negative point attributed to organic cotton is the price tag. But in all other aspects, organic cotton is the best fabric option for people of all ages and skin sensitivities. Switch to organic to start your journey with clean fashion.
