There has been a lot of hype about the terms organic, green, eco-friendly and the like. And while our food and our cars have changed, clothing has not yet made great strides in pursuing the organic label. This is unfortunate as the benefits of organic clothing are especially important with regards to health. One area that has grown significantly is in baby clothing.
The need for clothing certified organic fabrics have come from the industrialization of textiles both in growing the base plants, as well as in production. Cotton is a plant which has been used for the past 50 years. It has become hybridized to such a degree that heavy pesticide and fertilizer use is necessary to sustain yields. The other issue is in finishing. Dyes and fabric coatings use ingredients that are also potentially toxic, such as chlorine's, formaldehyde, sulfurs, and heavy metals.
The result is a material that is laden with chemicals and potential toxins.. And since the material most often comes in direct contact with skin, the potential for allergic reaction and irritation is great. Fumes and off-gases are also a problem. This extends to alternative synthetic-like cloth which emits low amounts of gas throughout its life.