Parents get so much information thrown at them these days. It’s overwhelming, especially if you’re wading through the myriad of opinions on the best materials for kids' sustainable clothing.
At Yeah Life, we like to cut through the fluff and get straight to the fibre. The organic cotton fibre, to be exact. There are a bunch of reasons why we love this ethical natural material for our kids clothing range, and we want to share those with you.
Why We Love Organic Cotton
Cotton has weaved its way into the fabric of our lives. It’s even occasionally referred to as ‘the fabric of life’, because it's just everywhere.
Unfortunately, when grown commercially, the fabric of life is also the world's dirtiest crop. It scores pretty low when it comes to sustainability, water consumption and even the treatment of workers and communities around the world.
That's why organic cotton is the sustainable solution when it comes to kids clothing. This naturally soft fibre is better for the environment, farmers, and our kids' skin than commercially grown cotton. Here’s why.
No pesticides or chemicals means greater biodiversity
Conventional cotton is responsible for 15% of all the pesticides put into the planet. The toxic effects of these have a considerably detrimental effect on micro and macro biodiversity. Sure, they keep the cotton crop healthy, but they wipe out other important elements of the ecosystem too, like bees.
Organic cotton uses gentler methods to control crops from pests. No pesticides or chemicals are used at all, and in fact biodiversity is enhanced by the farming techniques used.Â
Organic cotton is kinder to our waterways
According to the WWF it takes 2,700 litres of water to produce enough commercial cotton to make one t-shirt. The production process also pollutes our waterways with toxic chemicals. It's a huge strain on the lifeblood of our planet.
Eco-friendly organic cotton uses 91% less water than conventional cotton. Combine that with zero harmful chemicals used and you have a healthy, sustainable solution that's great for our planet.
Improves soil health
Our soils are suffering on a global scale. Mono crop farming and relentless use of chemicals has seen our soil health drop dramatically. Organic farming methods help combat this by utilising methods that promote soil organic matter, encouraging greater biodiversity within the soil.
Healthy soils filter out pollutants, drawing harmful carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it as ‘organic soil carbon’. They are also better aerated, meaning more oxygen for plants, organisms and microbes to live off. Healthier plants and soils means less erosion.
Organic Cotton Benefits Communities
Mass produced conventional cotton follows a production system designed to cut costs wherever possible. You can be sure that when it comes to caring for the workers and their families, saving money is prioritised over humanity.
Certified organic cotton is grown in a manner that puts people over profit. Workers are looked after and paid a fair wage. Communities also benefit from the other crops grown in conjunction with the cotton, and from the healthier local environment in general.
Organic Cotton is Gentle on Skin
Children, and in particular babies, can have extremely sensitive skin. Organic cotton is naturally much softer than normal cotton because it has longer fibres. Hand picking the cotton ensures the fibres are not broken or damaged so the softness remains.
Most importantly, because organic cotton has been grown without any chemicals or pesticides, you’re limiting your child’s exposure to any toxic build up in the fibre.
Learn more about the benefits of organic cotton
It's clear that here at Yeah Life we’re big fans of organic cotton. We love to chat about it too, so if we can bend your ear about this eco-friendly wonder fibre, please get in touch! If you’d like to check out some organic cotton clothing choices for your kids, have a browse of some of our products below.