Posted in Health, Home | Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
In Part 1 of this series I talked about what’s wrong with the way traditional cotton is cultivated. Well here’s what’s right with how organic cotton is harvested.
No toxins, synthetic fertilizers, harsh chemical bleaches or dyes are used in the production of organic cotton. Natural fertilizers and compost are used along with natural pest control, such as ladybugs (which destroy harmful insects).
The majority of Organic Cotton is harvested by hand which means that it’s also much safer for those who pick it and they are in no danger of harming their family members and livestock by passing on harmful chemicals. Workers that harvest and handle traditional cotton are exposed toxic chemicals, and those same chemicals can seep into the water supply and effect the people and wildlife that use that water.
Organic farming helps prevent topsoil erosion, improves soil fertility, and protects groundwater. By not dumping massive chemical pesticides or planting genetically altered seeds, the organic farmer is forced to rely on more labor intensive and therefore more expensive practices. These farms are also usually small, family-owned tracts of land that don’t rely on big business to make money.
Organic cottons, woolens, and natural rubber for organic bedding are farmed and processed to ensure as much purity, environmental sustainability, natural soil replenishment, and humane practices, as possible. This takes a great deal of time and patience, on small farms and cooperatives that can’t afford large tracts of land.
At first glance it may seem strange that natural and organic bedding products, without industrial chemicals, toxins and pesticides, should cost more than conventional bedding. Organic cotton bedding may be expensive but the benefits that you and your family will gain from using organic cotton bedding outweigh these little inconveniences.
We don’t have all organic cotton at the House of Brown yet, because I think it’s better to re-use what we have rather than throw everything out. However, as we purchase new things for the house, as well as new clothing we are definitely making an effort to buy organic cotton. As we’ve been able to save money in so many other ways, (not buying paper towels, tissues, napkins, detergent, fabric softener, etc.) organic cotton has become more affordable for us. But we still only buy one or two pieces to stay within budget. We’ve also bought items that are 50% organic cotton, (which is better than nothing I guess.) What’s great is that many places are making organic cotton clothing more affordable such as H&M, Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart.
As always, the Savvy Shop has organic cotton for sale as well.
Sources:
http://www.ota.com/organic/mt/organic_cotton.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_cotton
http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
http://sewngreen.com/cotton-101/
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12727/1/Facts-About-Organic-Cotton.html
http://www.gaiam.com.au/DynamicPages.aspx?cid=95
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This is really good to know, especially that organic cotton is becoming more popular in shops people frequent. I think that people don’t realize how much such pesticides really affect those who use them all the time. My grandmother had a cocoa farm and of course had to use such chemicals, and may have been one of the reasons she was so sick in her old age. I will do my part in becoming more ecofriendly. By the way, will fabrics specifically say “organic cotton” somewhere or is it strewn in with other clothing?
@Yvette The items will say “organic cotton” on the label, and are usally separate from other regular cotton items. But if your someplace like MArshalls or TJ MAxx, then they’ll probably just get thrown in with the mix.