What do we really know about cotton—the most popular fabric in the world? Non-organic cotton accounts for more than 50% of all fiber needs across the globe, and to keep up with this demand, growers resort to artificial means and excessive use of pesticides to make the crops grow faster. Cotton as we know it—conventionally grown cotton—uses more pesticides than any other crop in the entire world, so it has earned the ‘award’ of being the dirtiest crop on earth: It consumes 16% of the world’s insecticides and requires $2 Billion in pesticides each year. These chemicals are toxic, therefore harmful to not only farmers and workers but also consumers and entire wildlife as well.
- Fact: To produce a single non-organic cotton t-shirt, it takes 2,700 liters of water. It’s an insane amount of water.
So, what’s the alternative? Here’s where the organic cotton steps in. Organic cotton is produced and certified to organic agricultural standards with no artificial inputs. It uses way less water to grow since organic cotton growers typically utilize rain way more than irrigation. Plus, organic cotton growers use beneficial insects to control unwanted pests instead of relying on harmful chemicals, thus encouraging biodiversity. It’s good for humanity, and it’s good for the earth.
It’s common knowledge that various skin allergies relate directly to the chemicals used in non-organic cotton farming. The majority of people with various skin problems report a dramatic improvement in their condition once they switched to organic cotton garments and bedding.
When you choose Kidsbury organic kidswear, you are investing in your child’s well being and comfort. When you opt for organic cotton, you support water conservation, cleaner air, better soil, and farmer livelihoods. Therefore, the price for organic cotton is sometimes (but not always, as you can see, Kidsbury prices are very friendly) a bit higher. We use organic 100% Egyptian cotton, so our clothing is lightweight, breathable, and very, very soft, keeping kids comfy all day long without restricting their movement.
- Fact: Supporting organic agriculture is essential if we want to create improved working conditions for cotton farmers because farming organic cotton is more regulated, and therefore, fairly traded.
One more positive aspect: as opposed to conventional cotton, organic cotton is very durable — it can be worn for years! If you have multiple kids, the same garments can be passed from kid to kid and maintain their shape and softness.
So ask yourself this question: would you really want the dirtiest crop next to your little one’s skin? The answer, of course, is no. Babies and toddlers are the most vulnerable to pesticide-related health issues. When you choose to buy organic cotton, you spare your kids from exposure to harmful substances and ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Organic cotton is a smart choice. It is an investment in the future—if we wish to reduce our carbon footprint if we want to improve the health of our families, our communities, and our planet, organic is the way to go.