Here at Natural for Baby I am often asked what’s so special about organic cotton? So let me fill you in on some of the reasons choosing organic cotton can make such a difference.
Did you know that non-organic cotton, grown with GM seeds, is a crop that uses more chemicals in its production than any other crop around the world? 16% of the world’s insecticides are used on cotton. In a world where many of us are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible, conventional cotton is not very friendly to our planet.
Organic cotton is grown from non-GM seeds and actually grows naturally in colours. Most organic cotton is a natural off white or cream colour, with the depth of the colour dependent on its country of origin. As no pesticides are used, the cotton grows naturally in its environment, alongside other plants and wildlife, with no chemicals seeping into rivers and seas from the production process.
More frequently we are asking the question, who made my clothes? In the case of organic cotton, you will find the majority of the farmers are paid a fair price for their crops and in turn their factory workers are fairly treated. The workers are kept safer by not being exposed to chemicals and the local community has access to clean, unpolluted water.
As with fruit and vegetables, the Fairtrade certification on organic cotton is a guarantee that from farm workers to factory workers, each is being paid a fair wage and no children have been involved in the production of the items you are buying. However, not all small companies who make organic cotton items can afford to sign up to the Fairtrade system, but there are other certifications which can provide peace of mind. The Oeko-Tex certification provides the same guarantee of fair wages and no children, as well as that the items are made to the highest environmental standards, including no dyes or chemicals contaminating waterways.
Did you also know that conventional cotton uses an enormous amount of water to produce? Cotton is most usually grown in a hot climate, where rivers and streams can dry up due to local cotton production. Most organic cotton farms, on the other hand, use both collected rain water and irrigation systems. Organic cotton grown from non-GM seeds uses less water and what is needed is used in a sustainable way to maintain the crop without affecting the neighbouring streams and rivers.
So, organic cotton is an environmentally friendly crop to grow and produce, as well as supporting the people who make the items, and have you felt organic cotton? It’s so soft! All this is why Natural for Baby is full of organic cotton clothes, toys, bedding and more… this soft cotton is great against a baby’s sensitive skin. If your baby has eczema, organic cotton offers great breathability and with the Oeko-Tex certification of the brands stocked here, you are guaranteed there are no nasty chemicals to irritate sensitive skin.
Kind to the environment and kind to your baby’s skin.
Natural for Baby can be found at 78 Balham High Road, London SW12 9AG or shop online at www.naturalforbaby.london/shop-online