Organic Cotton Clothing

The most sought after clothing material is cotton. Because of its smooth and soft texture and cool fabric, cotton has high demand in the textile market. Cotton is used in manufacturing dresses, shirts, sweaters, socks, sportswear, babies’ clothing and a lot more. Over the years however, cotton farmers have resorted to the use of pesticides to the extent that cotton has been known to be No.1 in pesticide consumption. This farming technique has resulted to damage in the environment as the harmful chemicals seep to the soil and contaminate our water resources. Needless to say, the enormous amounts of pesticides used by cotton farmers contribute to the deterioration of environment as well as pose hazards to people’s health.

Fortunately, before pesticides can further ruin the surroundings, organic cotton farming is slowly making its way to the cotton industry. In organic cotton farming organic nourishment and natural pest control system are used instead of the traditional methods of applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic fertilizers ordinarily come from compost and animal manure while ladybugs are utilized to get rid of destructive insects that feed on the cotton. On the other hand organic cotton clothing is gaining wide patronage among consumers. Organic cotton is free from chemicals such as bleaches and fabric dyes that commonly cause skin allergy. Moreover organic cotton has expanded its use not only in producing shirts and dresses but other products as well such as towels, pants, underwear and sheets. Presently the styles available are still limited because of the unavailability of more designs and colors.

• Methods of coloring cotton. Although growing of organic cotton is gradually taking the helm in cotton growing, the problem of coloring the cotton by-products remains to be a problem. Dyeing organic cotton yarn is not an option as it defeats the very purpose of how the cotton was grown in a natural way. Hence natural methods of coloring organic cotton are now being developed. In fact one natural method is already being practiced today in which colored cotton is grown on the stem. The common colors are natural earth colors in shades of brown, red, green, yellow and red.
• Certified organic. To protect consumers from merchandisers who claim to sell organic cotton clothing which are not authentic, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires the certification of organic cotton products by a third party. If you happen to own an organic cotton dress or shirt, you will notice a tag indicating that your garment is made of organic cotton. But because of the increasing supply of organic cotton all over the country, the USDA often runs short of certifying groups to handle the process, thereby compelling the government to regulate and limit the organic certification process.

Outside the United States, other countries that produce organic cotton are Turkey, India and China. Likewise there are about eight countries in African continent that engage in organic cotton production. From the look of it, organic cotton farming is proliferating and before we know it, organic cotton will dominate the clothing industry. Increasing demand for organic cotton clothing is remarkable and it will not be long when organic cotton industry will emerge as the most successful industry in the whole world.