While cotton has always been a popular fabric for a whole range of products, organic cotton has steadily emerged as a preferred choice of earth-friendly fabric over the last few years. Thanks to a sustained focus on responsible and sustainable fashion, today, several global and local companies are switching to organic cotton-made materials, not just because of consumer demand but also to achieve their corporate environmental and social responsibility goals.
What is Organic Cotton?
In simple words, organic cotton – the fabric that ages beautifully - is produced using methods and materials with minimal or no environmental impact. The process of growing organic cotton prohibits using toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically engineered seeds. Extra care is taken to maintain soil fertility to support a wider range of agriculture. Furthermore, strict processes and certifications ensure that the final product manufactured using organic cotton is also natural and environmentally responsible. It means that post-harvest techniques such as spinning, knitting, weaving, dyeing and manufacturing strictly follow sustainable practices. Interestingly, India produces almost half of the world’s organic cotton and is ranked number one in the world.
How can one ensure that they are buying organic cotton?
Organizations such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Organic Content Standard (OCS) issue certifications based on stringent checks and quality inspections. These certifications are prominently displayed on organic cotton products and can be verified before purchase.
Where is organic cotton predominantly used?
Organic cotton is now increasingly used to produce a range of products that include wearable fashion products (primarily apparel for infants and adults), personal care products (make-up application & sanitary products), and home décor products (bed sheets, towels, blankets, etc.).
For those who want to switch to organic cotton, here is a list of ten exciting products made using 100% organic cotton:
The most interesting thing about the Yellow Organic Cotton A-Line Jacket by Unborn Studio is that it gets softer with every wash. Made from 100% organic cotton, this trendy A-line jacket for women is sure to make heads turn. The jacket is hand-block printed with cumin and marigold using natural water-efficient dyeing methods. The lively print combines the cumin seeds’ burnt umber and the marigold petal’s golden yellow.