Why Organic?
Did you know that the global textile industry is one of the heaviest polluters on the planet? Perhaps you thought that you were not contributing to this pollution because you only buy "natural" products and not synthetics? But of all the insecticides used in the world today, 25% are used just to grow cotton, yet cotton crops only represent about 2.5% of the land used in agriculture world wide!
Unfortunately, the pests being sprayed against develop resistance to the insecticides used and so more and more are used, often to little effect. As a result, to make the cotton for just 1 t-shirt, approximately 150 grams of pesticide and fertilizer are used. It is then treated with chemicals and bleached. Not good!
According to WHO, 20, 000 deaths occur in developing countries each year from poisoning from agricultural pesticides, of which many, due to their high level of toxicity, can be attributed to the production of cotton. As well as the use of pesticides in cotton production, the farming practices used in non-organic wool production involve dipping sheep in baths of chemicals. You have to feel sorry for the poor old sheep, as well as for us humans who wear the end product.
Concern about chemical use does not stop at the agricultural level. Around 8000 different chemicals are used globally to turn raw materials into textiles for clothing, bedding, towels etc. Many of the chemicals used are so toxic that they have been classified by the World Health Organization ("WHO") as "moderately to extremely hazardous".
One of the most dangerous, formaldehyde, has recently been detected at high levels in textile products imported into Australia from China, prompting their recall. Links to leukemia and nasal and nasopharyngeal cancers have resulted in formaldehyde being classified by WHO in 2004 as a known human carcinogen!
It is not a nice thought that your family could be wearing products that emit carcinogenic fumes. We have all had that experience though - buying clothes or bedding that has that "funny" chemical smell, or that feel "strange". While you may not let anyone use the product until you have washed it, just washing it is not enough to eliminate the chemicals.
Cancer, leukemia, asthma, depression, at the very least an itchy rash... why take the chance? The only safe way for you and your family (and the planet!) is total avoidance of products that made from or produced with the assistance of chemicals. Your child's skin is so soft and gentle; don't let it be in contact with fabrics that could potentially cause them harm.
Organic production seeks to have a low impact on the environment by virtue of the methods and materials used. These methods replenish and maintain soil fertility and reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. They help protect the earth and they help protect your most precious asset: your family. Organic products are beautifully soft and gentle on the skin. They have been produced in harmony with nature and they contain no pesticide, fertilizer or chemical residues. They wash extremely well and last and last. The fibres breathe naturally allowing for easier maintenance of body temperature. You will be amazed at how repeated washings only enhance the softness of each garment, rather than just wear them out as is usually the case with conventional fibres.
So try organic - you'll never look back and your children and the planet will thank you for it. It's only natural!
