After raising three children in the seventies and having purchased tons of cotton clothing throughout the years for them, as well as for two grandchildren, I never gave thought as to how the fabric was made. I always thought only of the universal comfort of it, and how it is a soft and breathable fabric . Recently, I have learned of a new grandbaby on the way, and I have done some investigating about cotton as I am learning more about organic foods and other organic items. I was shocked to learn about how conventional cotton is made.
I was surprised to find that conventional cotton poses a series of health problems, as well as environmental effects, as the cotton crops are sprayed with pesticides thirty to forty times a season when brought to harvest. Some of the pesticides used are cyanide, dicofol, propargite, and triflurin, all cancer-causing chemicals. Did you know it takes 1/3 pound of pesticides in the production of just one cotton tee shirt?
Only 3% of farmland is used but the pesticides are so poisonous that the fields are barren after growth. The farmland consumes 25% chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Soil, water, wildlife and human life are harmed when aerial insecticide is sprayed on the crops’ leaves.
After that shocking information, I seriously wanted to find out how organic cotton could benefit anyone who would want to buy a cotton item, such as a tee shirt, or baby clothing, or any other wearable item or items for a bed, such as crib sheets and blankets.
Organic cotton is grown in fields where no pesticides have been for three years and the soil has been rebuilt. No synthetically produced pesticides or fertilizers are used and beneficial insects keep pests and insects in check. Weeds are controlled by tillage and a simple hoe. The organic farm of course has more intensive management.
Organic clothing is free of harmful chemicals and pesticides and is kind to the environment. There is a difference in long term health, not only to the environment but to animals and humans, and the quality of life is improved.
Anyone who would like to find organic cotton items for a child can check some of the following online websites, but as always be sure to call the company to double check that they use organic cotton and non-toxic dyes. Some helpful organic cotton product websites include: Baby Brilliant Organics, Happy Hippie, Sckoon, Organic Baby Wearhouse, Sage Creek Organics, Eco Choices, Petit Tresor, Mamas Organic Baby and Baby Earth.
Remember the meaning of organics, it is of living things, it is developed naturally. Organic products enhance our ecological balance of natural systems for optimum health and for the productivity of interdependent communities of soil, plants, animals, life and people.
