Fashion

Why is Organic Cotton Better Than Other Cotton?

You’ve probably heard the words “organic cotton” for some time now and may be wondering what it really is. Isn’t all cotton organic since it comes from a cotton plant? Actually, organic cotton refers to the way it is grown, harvested, and manufactured.

The cotton we all know is the cotton that uses a full quarter of the earth’s insecticides. And that’s not counting the cotton industry’s enormous use of defoliants and herbicides. Lowering the amount of cotton that is produced in the chemical fashion and transitioning to organic cotton production makes a world of sense.

The environment and people’s health suffer when chemicals are involved. Chemicals run off into water supplies where the cotton is being produced.  In fact, it’s no secret that children are most affected by the chemicals that are byproducts of the cotton industry.

The Environmental Protection Agency knows that these chemicals are harmful. Cotton production uses over half of the pesticides labeled carcinogens. But think about this…if there was no market for chemically produced cotton, there would be no need for such dangerous chemicals to be spread around. Here’s another bit of food for thought.  One t-shirt really can make a difference. To make just one chemically-produced t-shirt, a full third of a pound of pesticides must be used.

However, large and small manufacturers are working to reduce the need for pesticides. They are helping to bring organic cotton to market in apparel that looks and feels fashionable at a fair price. Also, the water saved in growing organic cotton is considerable, especially since cotton is one of the top water-hogs of all the crops grown in the world today.

Another step in the right direction involves recycled cotton. You may be wondering exactly what this is. Recycled cotton is actually a byproduct of weaving and spinning. The waste that is destined for the landfill is now being respun into recycled cotton. There’s no dying process involved and the end results look almost the same as regular cotton.

Pima cotton is another cotton you should become familiar with. It consists of extra long staple cotton and mostly comes from Peru, Australia, and the United States. It is favored for its strength and ability to withstand use over lesser cottons. The cotton was named after the Pima Indians who grew this special cotton in Arizona around the turn of the 20^th century. Under 10 percent of all the cotton grown can be labeled pima. Organic pima is used to create the most elegant and supple, smooth fabrics. The strength of organic pima cotton means you won’t have to replace your garments, bedding or accessories as much, which means you’ll be saving money in the long run and also reducing waste.

When you buy organic cotton you are helping support farmers who use organic methods. It takes longer to grow a good crop of organic cotton and it must be watched more carefully. It is also more expensive. But harvesting and manufacturing the organic cotton actually uses less fuel and energy, and the benefits far outweigh the extra work that must be done to produce it.

Laborers in the cotton industry will thank you for choosing organic as well. They don’t have to breathe the life-threatening chemicals at the mills and they don’t produce waste and run off that will kill wildlife and birds.  The supplies used to prep organic cotton for use include safe non-silicone softeners and non-chlorine bleach. The dyes are water based and contain no azo.

Farmers who are unlucky enough to work in the chemical cotton field find that they experience more health problems and their memories suffer. They often suffer accidents due to improper use of the chemicals and have been paralyzed or died from handling the chemicals they must use. It’s a high price to pay to make a living that will support your family.

Organic cotton is also perfect for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Chemically produced cotton can leach its chemicals onto a person’s body long after the manufacturing process is finished.

Switch over to organic cotton and you will find that the choices are so attractive that you give up nothing but the chemicals. You may have to pay just a little more for organic cotton goods, but as more manufacturers start offering organic cotton wares, the price will likely come down in the future.

Big label names and high-end department stores are happily supporting the effort to bring in organic cotton clothing. If each shopper requested only organic cotton, all stores would be forced to carry more of it or risk losing business.

It’s so easy to make organic cotton a part of your everyday life. Buy organic cotton sheets, towels, t-shirts, undergarments, sleepwear, baby clothes, blankets, socks, accessories, handbags and more. There’s little that you can’t find now in organic cotton. Online shops do a great job of offering clothing that is functional, fun, and comfortable and entirely made of organic cotton so you have no excuse for not giving it a try.

What is an Ecodesigner?

Have you heard the new buzz word in green circles? It’s ecodesign. This newly coined term refers to the way a product is created in regards to its impact on the environment. An ecodesigner is the person responsible for coming up with designs for products that will have a positive environmental impact. Then, he or she follows that product design through its life cycle from concept to final end, which presumably would be recycling.

Ecodesigners can work on anything from buildings to fashion. No matter what the end product is, the ecodesigner’s job is to ensure that it fits harmoniously into the environment, not soaking up unnecessary resources, leaving a small carbon footprint, and causing no harm. The product should also have benefits to the consumer. There should be a reason the product is coming to life in the first place. Do we need one more building taking up valuable green land? Not necessarily. But if the building will provide jobs for people, use natural and renewable energy resources and provide a service people need, it’s well worth it.

An ecodesigner in fashion is a person who develops her or his line of clothing under ethical, fair trade and environmentally conscious practices. A designer may sketch a fabulous outfit, but then she must consider how many resources the product will take to make. Will it have any detrimental effect on the environment (say in displacing trees or using harsh chemicals)? Will it cause any other pollution or end up clogging a landfill? These are all questions that will be answered before the first stitch is sewn.

Fashion designers today are working at an exciting time in fashion history. Never before has there been more of a surge towards fabrics that move and breathe, feel soft against the skin, and are good for the planet. Designers of old worked with stiff fabrics and styles that were more like containment devices than evening clothes. The dresses of the 1950s, for example, had rigid lines and were tight fitting. They did not move in liquid sways. They were structured to the point of being binding.

Today, an ecodesigner can come up with a new design for a t-shirt made entirely of bamboo fibers. It can come in a wide array of colors that came from water based and safe plant dyes. The fibers are soft and pliable and they drape beautifully on the body. Gone are the frumpy old man t-shirts of yesterday. Today’s sustainably harvested fibers create shirts that feel like t-shirts but are worthy of a night out on the town.

Bamboo and organic cotton are taking over the fashion runway. Designers are turning into ecodesigners and now offer entire collections made of organic materials. There are shirts, socks, handbags, and even jeans made of purely organic matter.

If you’re looking to get into the eco movement and want to shop for clothing made from sustainable, natural fibers, there couldn’t be a better time to do so. You have the world at your fingertips on the Internet. Browse shops that sell exclusively organic cotton clothing or bamboo baby’s clothing. Where once it was hard to find organic products without driving around trying to find a small storefront that offered only a small inventory, now the web has thousands upon thousands of garments for sale.

The prices are fairly reasonable, considering that the process is more expensive. The chemical laden cotton harvesting methods that have traditionally been done are cheaper and faster than doing it without the harmful toxins. So, because the process is slower, the goods cost more to manufacture. It’s worth it, though, to pay a little bit more to get a garment that is luscious and soft as cashmere, but is really made of bamboo or tencel, which is made from wood pulp.

The next time you need a new outfit, check online for stores that sell exclusively ecodesigned, organic clothing. You will feel cooler in the summer months and stay warmer in the winter. Bamboo clothing also wicks away moisture and is antimicrobial. It also has a natural sun blocking effect, so you’re getting a lot of benefit in a little piece of material.

The wave of the future is ecodesigners and their exciting collections of ready to wear garments made from hemp, bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled cotton. Find out more about these sustainable fibers and then start stocking your closet. It’s the smartest decision you can make for your family—including babies and children. No harsh chemicals touch your or their skin and everyone can breathe easy with non-allergen producing fibers around them. Consider sheets, mattress covers, crib bedding, and comforters all made from sustainable, eco-friendly fibers and you’ll all sleep better too.

It’s never too early or too late to get your family living in more green ways.

Use Natural Nail Polish Instead of Putting Chemicals on your Nails

If you love getting a manicure as a special treat, start thinking about what you’re putting on your nails. You may feel pampered and the results may be lovely, but in reality, you’re actually applying harsh chemicals to your nail beds.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look nice by painting your nails. However, there are three main ingredients found in most nail polishes that you may want to steer clear of. They are formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene. Each of these is a regular in most brands, and here’s the scary part – they’re known to cause cancer and other health problems with overexposure.

Formaldehyde is best known for preserving medical specimens. It is an irritant and it is harmful to the airways. It is also an allergen known to cause chronic dermatitis. Dibutyl phthalate is linked to reproductive problems and has been blamed on underdevelopment of babies born to mothers who’ve been exposed to it.  Toluene is blamed for chemical pneumonia, headaches, convulsions, rapid breathing and blurred vision.

While all of these chemicals can potentially have devastating effects, there’s no reason you have to resort to colorless nails. The detrimental effects listed above are from direct overexposure to the chemicals. If you do use regular nail color, polish in a well-ventilated area.  In fact, do this no matter what type of polish you use. You should, however, check the ingredients on your polish and try to avoid the Big Three chemicals whenever possible.

While no nail polish can claim to be 100% natural, there are several brands that are doing their part to help out the environment. The following brands of nail polish have none of the three main carcinogenic chemicals.

Sante: Sante is a cosmetics brand that offers high shine and rich color in a nail polish without harsh chemicals. It’s water based and has no preservatives or synthetic fragrances. They offer lots of lovely shades and you can be sure that you’re making a more healthy choice than other polishes whose formulas contain the dreaded Big Three chemicals. Find them at www.santeamerica.com.

Butter London: This company offers beautifully styled products for hands and feet that don’t contain the things you’re trying to avoid. Their nail polish shades are designed to match your personality and range from copper and gold to delicate pink. Their company has been voted best for animal lovers and their flagship store is in the Seattle, Washington airport of all places. They offer a number of pampering treatments that you can order online. Shop at www.butterlondon.com.

Acquarella: This brand positions itself as the “refreshing evolution of nail polish.” They are water based, as the name implies. They are free of the Big Three and have almost no odor. They dry fast and are completely vegan and not tested on animals. The company claims that their polishes help hydrate nails and prevent them from peeling and chipping. They’ll also prevent yellowing that can be so bothersome.They can be found at www.store.acquarellapolish.com.

Zoya: This company’s nail polish has earned the title of Longest Wearing Nail Polish in the eco-friendly category by Women’s Health magazine. It has none of the Big Three and is also free of camphor. There are over 300 colors to choose from and four themed collections, one for each season. You can order online at www.zoya.com or look for it at your favorite salon.

Priti: Priti is making it fun to paint your nails. Now that you can do it in an eco-friendly way, why not splurge? The Big Three are also absent from these darling polishes. They are non-toxic and safe for pregnant women. Your color choices range from sweet and innocent for use on little girls to vampy reds and dark greys. Order at www.pritinyc.com or buy at salons that carry this eco-friendly product.

Choices abound for more sensible products. Nail polish manufacturers are just now beginning to get with the program and realize that consumers aren’t going to stand for putting known carcinogens on their hands for much longer.

Studies are also now being done concerning the effects of the ultraviolet nail-drying lights that are used at salons to dry your polish after a manicure. After the manicurist applies your polish, she’ll sit you down at a nail dryer featuring an ultraviolet light and fan. It may seem harmless and more convenient than waiting the ten minutes for your nails to dry naturally, but studies are showing it’s not risk-free. Using an ultraviolet nail dryer regularly has been known to cause cancer. Experts advise that you put sunblock on before the manicurist applies your polish. That way you’ve got protection for the ten or fifteen minutes you’re under the direct light. Better still, plan to forego the UV dryer entirely and sit a few minutes and people watch while your nails dry. It’s better than risking your health.

Choose more health conscious nail polish and you are one step closer to attaining your goals of living green. A little extra time to find a brand that works for you is worth it.

Organic Clothing Equals Better Health

We’ve all heard about organic cotton. It seems it’s talked about everywhere. You can find it in the department stores and online. But what’s so important about choosing organic cotton? Can it really improve your health or at least not worsen it? And isn’t all cotton organic?

The answer to the first question is yes. Organic cotton really can help you have better health. The second question is more complex, though; all cotton is organic in that it comes from a plant. But the word organic here is really referring to the method by which it is grown, harvested, and manufactured. Cotton can only be called organic if it has been grown and processed without pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

The cotton industry uses the second largest amount of pesticide of any crop grown in the world. It uses 25% of all the pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides in the world. As heavily laden as cotton plants are, it’s a wonder anyone can still eat cottonseed oil or other cotton-based foodstuffs.

Clothing and bedding are two areas where using organic cotton can really help. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, if you have a new baby or are pregnant, if you have sensitive skin or skin conditions that are worsened by chemicals, you’ll want to switch to organic cotton. Think about this – your skin is sensitive and you are an adult. Now imagine a baby’s skin. It’s more porous and softer than an adult’s. That means harmful chemicals have an easier time leaching their way into a baby’s body.

No one wants to put a newborn down for sleep on a chemically treated crib sheet or wrap her in a chemically sprayed baby blanket. Since there’s no real scent left after the chemical process, consumers for years and years have assumed cotton is just a natural product of healthy plants. Wrong. The chemicals used in cotton production stay on the fabric long after it has been manufactured. You may not smell it, but it still has the capacity to be absorbed by your skin, and that goes double for baby and kids.

The process of organic cotton manufacturing is also healthier on the planet. Even though farmers of organic cotton have to work harder since they are not using chemicals that deter bugs and crop spoilers, the benefits are worth it. In addition to the positive impacts for the planet and the consumers who purchase these organic products, the farmers and their families also benefit.  They don’t have to breathe chemicals and drink water that is polluted with run off from heaping doses of chemicals while they grow and harvest their crop.

So, if organic cotton really is best, why isn’t everyone using it? Good question. It all goes back to affordability. Cheap cotton is more affordable than organic cotton. Because large runs can be harvested and production is sped up by chemicals, it costs less to produce a traditional cotton t-shirt than an organic one. The dyes come in vats and contain chemicals. The clothes go in for a dip, they come out and hit the shelves.

However, organic cotton dyes are water based and have to be done in smaller batches, so it costs more and has to be done more slowly and more carefully. Many organic cotton manufacturers are not using fully automated mega-machines to speed their garments along the line. Many are hand cut, hand sewn, and individually packaged. Naturally, these products are more expensive. But as more mass-merchandisers start to carry organic cotton clothing, you will be able to find inexpensive selections and more variety.

Your health and the health of your family is directly affected by the products you have in your home. When products like clothing, towels and sheets come in contact with your skin, there’s even more reason to ensure that they are chemical free.  Other health benefits of chemical free organic cotton include less asthma symptoms as fewer allergens are produced by organic cotton. Organic cotton sheets will also absorb moisture and allow for a cooler, dryer sleep, especially in hot months.

A switch to organic cotton will see great improvements in your health, and you’ll be doing the environment a favor as well. A recap of the benefits of organic cotton includes: less pesticides in the environment, a fashionable and sensible clothing choice, the fabric is chemical free, the material that touches your family’s skin is free of harmful toxin, farmers’ lives are improved by keeping them and their families away from dangerous chemicals, water quality improves, pesticide use drops, and organic clothing feels marvelous next to your skin.

There are so many reasons why organic cotton is a superb choice for you and your family. Start shopping online or in person for clothing that makes you feel great inside and out, and talk to anyone who will listen about the benefits of organic cotton over traditional cotton processing. You’ll be glad you did when sales of organic cotton go up and purchasing trends for chemically processed items go down. All it takes is one person to start a major change.

Organic Clothing and Bedding Can Help Alleviate Allergy Issues

Did you know that organic cotton clothing and bedding can help if you suffer from allergies? The traditional cotton processing industry doesn’t want you to know this, and they also wouldn’t want you to know that they use one quarter of all the pesticides in the world. They also require large amounts of water to process their cotton, which has led to water shortages in countries around the world.  This is how buying organic clothing and bedding can really make a difference in the quality of your life and the lives of others.

Here is a scenario where buying organic cotton would be helpful. Imagine a situation where you’re constantly sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose.  You know it’s not a common cold, so you determine it must be allergies. You may even think you have an allergy to dust mites. But what you might really have is an allergy to the chemicals that are dusted on cotton crops while they are growing, during harvest time and during processing. The residue left on the garments and bedding you buy in cotton could leave you runny eyed, itchy nosed, and even worse.

Ask yourself this too: do you want chemicals touching your skin? Of course you don’t. If you had a choice, you’d want only the most natural substances near your and your family’s skin. Well, the good news is that you do have an alternative. Buy organic cotton and you’ve solved the problem.

The difference between organic cotton and traditional, chemically-processed cotton is that organic cotton uses no chemicals to grow, harvest or manufacture their fibers. In order to be certified as organic cotton, it must meet strict standards. These standards are hard to attain and require more effort on the part of the farmers, but it’s worth it when the farmers and their families can breathe clean air instead of chemicals. Chemicals also run off into the water supply that people use for drinking, bathing, cooking, and more, which can potentially result in grave illnesses.

Fortunately, you can buy organic cotton products now just about everywhere. Specialty stores have sprung up and they sell everything from yoga pants to handbags made of organic cotton. You can also go online and shop an endless array of stores that sell organic bedding and organic clothing.

Organic cotton isn’t the only fiber that can be used in organic clothing and bedding. Bamboo is another sustainable resource that is now being made into clothing fibers. The allure of bamboo is that it too reduces allergens, and it also wicks away moisture and has many of the same health benefits of organic cotton. It also has a built in sun protection level that is natural to the fibers. It is antimicrobial, which is great for those long gym workouts, and it is long-lasting and holds its color. Plus, it is soft and supple enough to resemble cashmere, but without the necessary babying required for laundering it. Bamboo clothing cab be thrown in the washer and washed with cool water and mild detergent. It can be hung to dry. It requires no special handling and will cost you no more than your other clothing to clean and maintain.

Hemp is another fiber that is used to make organic bedding and clothing. Hemp is very attractive in that it looks natural and breathable. It’s ideal for warmer climates, and it comes in many fashionable styles.

When choosing bedding, invest in a mattress cover made of organic fibers. These mattress pads are excellent ways to stop dust, dander, dust mites and anything else that may accumulate in your mattress naturally from coming into the air you breathe. You will have a better night’s sleep without coughing, wheezing, or sneezing due to particles in the air. Best of all, it will cradle you in softness so you can sleep soundly all through the night. Add a layer of organic sheets and an organic comforter on top of the mattress topper and you’ve got a bed ensemble that will be ideal for sleeping, and is good for the environment as well.

If you’ve always wondered why your allergies flare up, it could be the result of chemicals in your garments.  Chemical residue left over from the processing of cotton can remain in the fibers long after the garment is made. You should always wash any garment before you wear it, which will lessen the amount of chemicals your skin comes into contact with. Or, better yet, buy organic and you will see that your clothes fit, drape nicely, and are comfortable and don’t irritate your skin. You can find organic clothing for men, women, and children, and you’ll see that the selection is anything but dowdy. You can choose from blazers, cardigans, skirts, pants, t-shirts, undergarments, accessories, socks, and more all from organic materials. It’s time to see what’s out there.

Expect to pay a little more for an organic cotton or bamboo outfit. The process takes time and time means money. So, be willing to pay a few extra dollars for an outfit that will help keep allergens away from you and will last you long into the future. Buy smart. Buy organic. You’ll be pleased that you feel and look great and that you’re helping the environment at the same time.