Articles
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Organic clothes for eczema and sensitive skin
Bringing up baby the organic way
Organic Standards and Certification
Organic Cotton Clothing – Reasons Why this is a Great Decision to Make
Organic Baby Products – How to Raise Your Baby Organically
Organic Textiles – The Different Choices You Can Make
Organic Baby Clothes – Make the Environmentally Friendly Decision
Hemp – An Organic Material Great for Clothing
Organic Wool – How Wool Becomes Organic
Soy – Use it for Organic Clothing
Bamboo – Great Source for Clothing
Bamboo Clothing – The Many Benefits of This Material
Bamboo Baby - a family run business
Green Clean - Caring for your clothes the organic way
The Dirty Dozen - organic foods to put on your shopping list
If your baby or child suffers from eczema you’ll be on the lookout for anything that helps the dreaded itch, scratch, itch cycle that leaves them with sore and unsightly patches on their skin.
While you’ll no doubt have tackled issues such as food allergies and treatments (if you need more help log on to the website of the UK National Eczema Society), it’s also worth looking at what goes next to their skin, as this can exacerbate the problem.
Organic cotton and bamboo don’t contain the finishing chemicals and pesticide residues found in conventional cotton, so it’s worth giving organic clothing a try for your baby or young child.
Not only are the clothes from Bamboo Baby (www.bamboobaby.co.uk) made from organic fibres, they are also incredibly soft, so they are more suited to babies and children with skin conditions.
Heat can be an irritating factor for eczema sufferers, but organic bamboo material is thermal regulating, allowing babies to keep cool in hot weather and cosy in cold weather. Organic bamboo is also very absorbent, helping your baby keep dry.
Also look out for:
• Neck labels which can rub and be itchy on sensitive skins
• Nickel-free poppers (as nickel allergy can be a problem for some babies)
• Detergents can be a big problem for eczema sufferers. Try Eco-balls, which leave no residue on clothes. And forget fabric softener!
• And for parents of babies in particular, make sure you wash your clothes the same way. They spend so much time cuddled up to you, that your clothes could cause a reaction.
Every parent wants to do the best thing for their baby, and choosing to create a chemical-free, organic environment is just one way to do this.
Being organic may start with eating organic food, but it doesn’t end there. Think about how much time your baby spends in its cot or moses baskets, how long it will be wearing nappies for, and clothes, of course, and suddenly considering organic fibres seems a good idea, too.
Well. Let’s start with food. How can eating an organic diet benefit your child (and you!)?
Babies eat more food per kilogram of body weight than adults – so during their first few months, an organic diet will be especially beneficial to them.
Organic foods also usually contain higher levels of vitamin C and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants, so the long-term benefits are clear.
Additives, such as that big no-no, hydrogenated fat, the sweetener aspartame and monosodium glutamate are banned by the Soil Association (which awards organic certification in the UK). These additives can cause a variety of health problems, from heart disease to hyperactivity. Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are also not allowed under organic standards. Soil Association standards also prohibit the routine use of antibiotics in farm animals.
Babies are still developing, so it makes sense to keep their systems as free from any unnatural additives as possible.
Organic fabrics
Babies spend a lot of time in cots, moses baskets – and nappies! So keeping the materials used in bedding and nappies chemical-free is going to go a long way toward reducing their exposure to toxins. It’s also worth bearing in mind that babies’ skin is five times thinner than an adults, so is more sensitive to chemicals.
That soft skin deserves soft materials – and the good news is that organic fabrics are generally softer – whether it’s organic cotton or the ultra-soft organic bamboo fabric that Bamboo Baby uses. Take a look at our super-soft bamboo blankets for baby – a lovely gift for a newborn (http://www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk/baby-clothes-bamboo-blankets-c-37_45.html?osCsid=kod8ft55lkkq0ll8uhac5i7ra1).
Organic bamboo is also thermo-regulating, which means that it keeps the wearer warm in winter and cool in summer. That’s a real comfort to any mum (and that will be all of them!) who has ever fretted over whether their small baby is too cold or too warm.
You might be thinking that crisp, clean cotton is the perfect choice for your babe – but if we told you that the farming of conventional cotton uses 25% of all the world’s pesticides for only 10% of the agricultural land mass – and that many of those pesticides were developed as toxic nerve agents in the Second World War – would you still want to wrap your precious bundle in conventional cotton?
At Bamboo Baby our bamboo canes are certified organic by OCIA and NOP and our bamboo yarn is Oeko-Tex 100 certified. Our organic cotton is certified by SKAL/GOTS.
Other organic products
Think about all the other products that your baby is going to come into contact with, and try to find organic alternatives. Toiletries are just one thing to think about. Most babies (and their bottoms!) work their way through hundred of packets of baby wipes for instance, as well as nappy cream and cotton wool. The World Wildlife fund does a lovely range of reasonably priced organic baby products (log on to http://shop.wwf.org.uk/baby_care for more).
You might also like to think about avoiding plastic feeding bottles, and opt for glass bottles, which do not leech toxins, and are a recyclable, renewable resource.
Counting the cost
Yes, we know that organic products do cost that bit more (although prices do seem to be evening out as more and more parents opt for the organic options). And we know that every penny counts, especially these days.
But organic products are, generally, kinder to the environment, kinder to the people that work with them, and, most importantly of all, kinder to babies. Who could ask for more?
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard was created “to define world-wide recognised requirements that ensure organic status of textiles, from harvesting of the raw materials, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling in order to provide a credible assurance to the end consumer”. It was hoped that GOTS would provide one internationally recognised standard that textile producers could use to export their products worldwide.
The GOTS standard applies to fibre products, yarns, fabrics and apparel and some other products. It covers the lifecycle up until the distribution of the final product including the processing, manufacture, packaging and labelling.
Products covered by the GOTS standard may be labelled “organic” or “organic - in conversion”, these products must contain at least 95% organic material or organic in conversion material. The remaining 5% can be made up of non organic materials natural or synthetic (from a GOTS approved list of synthetic fibres) but not the conventional version of the organic material which makes up the 95% of the garment. An in conversion fibre is defined by GOTS as “A product from an operation or portion thereof, which has completed at least 12 months under organic management and is under the supervision of a certification body.”
Products may also be labelled as “made of X% organic materials” or “made of X% organic in conversion materials” if it contains 75-95% organic materials. Again none of the remaining 30% can be made of the conventional version of the organic material of which the larger portion of the product is made. Up to 10% of the product can be made of synthetic fibres (from a GOTS approved list of synthetic fibres).
A number of potentially concerning chemicals are restricted or prohibited under GOTS. These include formaldehyde which is prohibited, GMOs which are prohibited, phenols like PCP and TCP which are prohibited, chlorine bleaches which are prohibited and heavy metals which are prohibited except for iron and limited amounts of copper in dyes. All accessories have to be free of PVC, chrome and nickel. Accessories can contain sewing thread, elastic bands, yarns, and seam bindings made from natural and synthetic materials but embroidery yarns, appliqués, linings/pockets, and labels must be made of natural materials. GOTS also includes working standards including the prohibition of child labour and safety and hygiene conditions for working environments.
FLO-Cert
Items that are labelled as Fairtrade are inspected and certified by the FLO-CERT. FLO-CERT is an international organisation that certifies products in over 70 countries. The Fairtrade certification mark is given after certification which follows ISO 65, the quality standard covering certification bodies. The certification system of FLO-CERT is transparent and independent giving it worldwide credibility. It ensures that producers adhere to Fairtrade Standards; producers receive the Fairtrade premium for the product and that benefits of Fairtrade are reinvested by the producers for development.
International Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)
The OCIA is a non profit member owned agricultural organisation which provides organic certification services globally. It is one of the most well established and trusted organisations. The Bamboo used in Bamboo Baby products has been certified organic by OCIA under NOP.
Oeko-Tex
Oeko-Tex Association offers two third party certifications concerned with health and safety in the textile industry. The certifications are the Oeko-Tex 100 which covers textile products and Oeko-Tex 1000 which covers the sites of production and factories.
The Oeko-tex 100 certification is split into 4 categories for different types of products; these are products for babies, products with direct contact to skin, products without direct contact to skin and decoration material including household items.
Items including a finished product or components like yarn may show the Oeko-tex 100 certification mark if they conform to the following:
· Free from allergenic dye-stuffs and dye stuffs that form carcinogenic aryl amines of the MAK-groups III A1 and III A2
· they do not contain pesticides and chlorinated phenols
· they have been tested for the release of heavy metals under artificial perspiration conditions
· they do not contain formaldehyde or have trace amounts significantly lower than the required legal limits
· they have a skin friendly pH
· they are free from chloro-organic carriers
· If they are used for garments, they do not contain biologically active finishes
Fibre-reactive dyes
Fibre reactive dyes are considered safe as they chemically bond to the fibres of the fabric and do not run or bleed. They are usually used on natural fabrics containing cellulose fibres like bamboo and hemp. The dye becomes part of the molecular structure of the fabric with a chemical bond. The chemical reaction causing the bonding is brought about by the soda ash in the dye bath which acts as a fixative by raising the pH to the required level for a permanent bond to be formed. Salt is also added to the dye bath to act as an electrolyte; this ensures that the dye is absorbed at an even rate giving a uniform colour. Other auxiliaries can also be added to the dye bath including urea, which can give deeper colours, and oil for tightly woven fabrics, to give even absorption.
Fibre reactive dyes are considered eco friendly and are allowed by many organic certifications, including GOTS and Control Union. They do not leak dye into waste water and do not contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals.
Never heard of bamboo clothes? Well, let us fill you in on a few facts
First, don’t worry about the pandas. The bamboo used for Bamboo Baby’s clothes is a completely different species to the one favoured by pandas.
Second, let us tell you about the fabric itself. We’ve already told you it’s soft, but it’s so amazingly soft, we’re going to tell you again! Bamboo fabric is also wonderfully versatile – it can be used to make knitwear that feels like cashmere, soft and durable denim, cosy blankets, snuggly bathrobes and silky-soft jersey pieces.
Breathable bamboo
Bamboo fabric has a few other features that make it particularly appealing. Bamboo fabric is breathable and extremely comfortable to wear against the skin, so is perfect if you’re looking for organic baby clothes. It is also thermo-regulating – that means it keeps the wearer warm in cool weather – comforting for mums who want to keep baby warm without wrapping them up like the Michelin Man! And it’s hypoallergenic. Because bamboo fabric is organic and natural, it’s non-irritating, which makes it perfect for babies’ sensitive skin.
And as anyone with a baby or small child will tell you, the best fabric in the world is no good if it can’t be easily washed. And as bamboo fabric can be washed at 40 degrees like cotton (though Bamboo Baby recommends 30 degrees for ecological reasons) that’s another tick list for mums who want organic baby clothes.
So how does that green tough stuff get turned into cashmere-soft fabric? Well, first the bamboo leaves and soft inner pith from the bamboo trunk are extracted using a steaming process and mechanically crushed. The crushed bamboo is soaked in sodium hydroxide. Contrary to popular belief the chemical is not harmful to the environment or the workers and is approved by the Global Organic Textile Standards. Sodium hydroxide is also used in the processing of organic cotton. Next, a non-toxic, eco-friendly solvent is added to turn the bamboo into cellulose. The bamboo cellulose is forced through spinneret nozzles (rather like a sieve) to convert the cellulose into fibre threads. It’s these fibre threads that are spun into bamboo yarn.
This clever process, combined with the design skills of Bamboo Baby, has resulted in a stylish range of baby and children’s clothes, as well as some beautiful designs for mums-to-be. Go and take a look for yourselves at www.bamboobaby.co.uk.
Bamboo: the green facts:
Made from Moso bamboo: the world’s fastest-growing plant, which grows up to a metre a day (sounds like some children we know!) Bamboo is a grass, so once cut it will grow again (just like your garden lawn!)
Naturally organic: Bamboo is grown without pesticides or fertilisers.
Environmentally friendly: Bamboo absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees.
Bamboo fabric: The facts
Absorbent: Bamboo fabric absorbs 60% more water than cotton.
Organic: All of Bamboo Baby’s bamboo yarn for its organic baby clothes is made with Certified Organic Bamboo. The farm in China where the bamboo is grown is certified by OCIA International and the bamboo crops are certified by the USDA Organic Seal.
Machine washable: Bamboo Baby’s organic baby clothes can be machine washed at 40 degrees (though they recommend 30 degrees for environmental reasons).
Grown in China: Only one facility in China holds the patent to produce fibre from bamboo. The facility is SA8000 certified – that’s the universal standard for ethical sourcing. In plain terms that means that issues such as trade union rights, the use of child labour, working hours, health and safety and fair pay all meet acceptable standards.
Bamboo is a type of viscose (1). It is a regenerated cellulose fibre.
1) Bamboo leaves and the soft, inner pith from the hard bamboo trunk are extracted using a steaming process and then mechanically crushed
2) The crushed bamboo is soaked in sodium hydroxide to produce cellulose. A common misconception is that sodium hydroxide is a harmful chemical. If used in a responsible manner sodium hydroxide has absolutely no effect on the environment and health of workers. It is routinely used in the processing of organic cotton into fibre and is approved by the Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) and the Soil Association (2). Sodium hydroxide does not remain as a residue on clothing as it easily washes away and can be neutralised to harmless and non-toxic sodium sulphate salt.
3) The bamboo cellulose is forced through spinneret nozzles (like a sieve) and hardened to convert the cellulose into bamboo fibre threads
4) The fibre threads are spun into bamboo yarn and rolled onto spools.
The processing of the cellulose pulp into fibre is more sustainable than the processing used for conventional viscose because the closed loop process captures and reclaims all the solvents used in the manufacturing.
The resulting bamboo viscose fibre is extremely soft to the touch.
Bamboo Litrax
Litrax bamboo is different to bamboo viscose as it is processed naturally. Litrax use a newer way of processing the bamboo into fibre that is completely natural. The woody part of the bamboo is crushed mechanically before a natural enzyme retting and washing process is used to break down the walls and extract the bamboo fibre. This bast fibre is then spun into yarn (3). In fine counts the yarn has a silky touch. The same manufacturing process is used to produce linen fabric from flax or hemp. Bamboo fabric made from this process is sometimes called bamboo linen. The natural processing of litrax bamboo allows the fibre to remain strong to produce an extremely high quality product. This process gives a material that is very durable.
Benefits of using bamboo for clothing
Naturally Organic - bamboo is grown without pesticides or fertilisers, unlike conventional cotton which uses 25% of all the worlds’ pesticides less than 10% of the agricultural land mass.
Luxuriously soft - bamboo feels like silky cashmere.
Sustainable - Moso bamboo is one of the world’s fastest growing plants, growing up to a metre in a day. Bamboo is a grass, so once cut it will regenerate quickly without the need for replanting (in the same way as your garden lawn). It grows very densely and so the yield per acre is excellent in comparison to cotton.
Eco-friendly - one of the most positive things about bamboo is that it absorbs 35% more carbon dioxide than equivalent stands of trees. More bamboo would help to cut the globally rising levels of carbon dioxide and help in the fight against global warming.
Absorbent - bamboo absorbs up to 60% more water than cotton. This makes it an excellent choice for towels and bathrobes.
Breathable - the porous nature of the fibre makes it breathable and extremely comfortable against the skin.
Thermo-regulating - keeps the wearer warm in cool weather.
Hypoallergenic - bamboo’s organic and natural properties make it non-irritating so perfect for extra sensitive skin (4).
The raw bamboo canes
Most of the bamboo used to make bamboo fibre and bamboo clothing is grown in China by Hebei Jigao Chemical Fiber Company (5). They hold the patent on the process for turning bamboo into fibre. This facility produces all of the bamboo viscose on the market. The bamboo is certified organic by OCIA (The Organic Crop Improvement Association) (6). To strictly control the quality of raw material, Hebei Jigao Chemical Fiber Company has built its own bamboo plantation in Sichuan Province, China and keeps strict control over it. The bamboo is grown in accordance to the international organic standard of OCIA/IFOAM and the USDA National Organic Program, so as to ensure each bamboo stalk is of 100% natural growth and without any chemical pesticides. The proof of the ecologically sound methods behind bamboo production is the fact that all of the fibre produced at the facility in China is Oeko-Tex 100 certified (7). This certifies that the finished fibre has been tested for any chemicals that may be harmful to a person’s health and has been found to contain no trace chemicals that pose any health threat whatsoever. This means that every company working with bamboo starts with the same raw material and that this material is not contaminated.
Ecological reasons for using bamboo as a raw material for textiles and clothing
Growth: Bamboo has many advantages over cotton as a raw material for textiles. Reaching up to 35 metres tall, bamboos are the largest members of the grass family (8). They are the fastest growing woody plants in the world. One Japanese species has been recorded as growing over 1 metre in a day (9). There are over 1600 species of bamboo (10) found in diverse climates from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. About 40 million hectares of the earth is covered with bamboo, mostly in Asia (11). The high growth rate of bamboo and the fact that bamboo can grow in such diverse climates makes the bamboo plant a sustainable and versatile resource. The bamboo species used for clothing is called Moso bamboo. Moso bamboo is the most important bamboo in China, where it covers about 3 million hectares (about 2% of the total Chinese forest area). It is the main species for bamboo timber and plays an important role for the ecological environment (12).
Harvesting: Once a new shoot emerges from the ground, the new cane will reach its full height in just 8-10 weeks. Each cane reaches maturity in 3-5 years. Bamboo can be continually re-harvested with no damage to the surrounding environment. It is a grass and so regenerates after being cut just like a lawn without the need for replanting. This regular harvesting is actually of benefit to the health of the plant – studies have shown that felling of canes leads to vigorous re-growth and an increase in the amount of biomass the next year (13).
Yield and Land Use: Land use is of global importance as the world’s six billion people compete for water, food, fibre and shelter (14). Sustainable land use practices provide both economic and environmental advantages. Bamboo can be used as food, fibre and shelter and due to its ease of growth and extraordinary growth rate it is a cheap, sustainable and efficient crop. Bamboo grows very densely, its clumping nature enables a lot of it to be grown in a comparatively small area, easing pressure on land use. Yields of bamboo of up to 60 tonnes per hectare (15) greatly exceed the yield of 20 tonnes for most trees and only 1-2 tonnes per hectare for cotton (16) with a one-time planting for bamboo and little care and maintenance needed. In a time when land use is under enormous pressure, bamboo’s high yield per hectare becomes very significant.
Greenhouse gases and global warming: Human activity is not only producing more carbon dioxide, but it is also severely damaging the ability of the planet to absorb carbon via its carbon sinks – the forests. Growing forests absorb CO2 but deforestation results in fewer trees to soak up rising levels of CO2. Bamboo minimises CO2 and generates up to 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees (17). One hectare of bamboo sequesters 62 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year while one hectare of young forest only sequesters 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year (18).
Deforestation: Bamboo planting can slow deforestation, providing an alternative source of timber for the construction industry and cellulose fibre for the textile industry (19). It allows communities to turn away from the destruction of their native forests and to construct commercial bamboo plantations that can be selectively harvested annually without the destruction of the grove. Tree plantations have to be chopped down and terminated at harvest but bamboo keeps on growing (20). When a bamboo cane is cut down, it will produce another shoot and is ready for harvest again in as little as one year. Compare this to cotton – harvesting organic cotton requires the decimation of the entire crop causing bare soils to bake in the sun and release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Before replanting next years crop the cotton farmers till the fields which releases yet more CO2 (21).
Water Use: Very little bamboo is irrigated and there is sound evidence that the water use efficiency of bamboo is twice that of other trees (22). This makes bamboo more able to handle harsh weather conditions such as drought, flood and high temperatures. Compare bamboo to cotton which is a thirsty crop – it can take up to 20,000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cotton and 73% of the global cotton harvest comes from irrigated land (23,24). Some estimates indicate that cotton is the largest user of water among all agricultural commodities.
Soil Erosion: Yearly replanting of crops such as cotton leads to soil erosion. The extensive root system of bamboo and the fact that it is not uprooted during harvesting means bamboo actually helps preserve soil and prevent soil erosion. The bamboo plants root system creates an effective watershed, stitching the soil together along fragile river banks, deforested areas, and in places prone to mudslides. It also greatly reduces rain run-off (25). Conventional cotton growing also causes a severe reduction in soil quality through the impact of constant use of pesticides on soil organisms.
Pesticides and Fertilisers: Only 2.4% of the world’s arable land is planted with cotton yet cotton accounts for nearly 25% of the world’s insecticide market and 11% of the sale of global pesticides (26). Many of these pesticides are extremely hazardous and toxic:
Aldicarb, a powerful nerve agent, is one of the most toxic pesticides applied to cotton worldwide and the 2nd most used pesticide in global cotton production. Just one drop of aldicarb, absorbed through the skin, is enough to kill an adult.
Endosulfan is widely used in cotton production and is the dominant pesticide in the cotton sector in 19 countries. In a single province of Benin, at least 37 people died from endosulfan poisoning in just one cotton season.
Monocrotophos Despite being withdrawn from the US market in 1989, it is widely used in developing world countries. In 1997, Paraguay’s Ministry of Health and Welfare identified it as being responsible for causing paralysis in children living in cotton growing areas.
Deltamethrin a nerve agent is applied in over half of the cotton producing countries. Medical analysis in a community in a South African village located on the edge of a major cotton production area found traces of deltamethrin in human breast milk.
An estimated 1 million to 5 million cases of pesticide poisoning occur every year, resulting in 20,000 reported deaths among agricultural workers and at least 1 million requiring hospitalisation (27). Even organic cotton farming uses pesticides – copper and copper salts (28).
Fertilisers are also applied to cotton fields to increase growth rate and crop yields. A huge benefit of using bamboo as the organic base for textile fibres is that there is no need for pesticides or fertilisers when growing bamboo. Bamboo grows so rapidly there is no need for fertiliser. It also contains a substance called bamboo-kun – an antimicrobial agent that gives the plant a natural resistance to pest and fungi infestation (29). It is not now believed true that the finished bamboo fabric retails this antibacterial property (30).
References:
1. http://www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk/organic_bamboo_fabric.html
2. Soil Association Organic Standards January 2007 60 Textiles http://www.organicpurewool.co.uk/S-A.orgtextilestandards2007.pdf
3. http://www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk/blog/index.php/2008/11/27/litrax-bamboo/
4. http://www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk/
5. http://www.jghx.cn/
6. http://www.ocia.org/
7. http://www.oeko-tex.com/oekotex100_public/index.asp?cls=02
8. http://www.kew.org/plants/bamboos/index.html
9. http://www.kew.org/plants/bamboos/giantbamboo.html
10. http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/bamboo.htm
11. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1275851
12. ‘Chinese Moso Bamboo: Its Importance’ Jinhe Fu, The Magazine of The American Bamboo Society, October 2001
13. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/20202
14. http://www.sciencedaily.com: World Land Use Seen As Top Environmental Issue
15. http://www.geniaal.be/downloads/EBS4johangielis.doc
16. http://r0.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/cotton/crop.htm
17. http://www.bamboocentral.org/shareinrepair/faq.htm
18. J. Janssen, Technical University Eindhoven, 2000
19. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/audio/VOA_Chin_Bamboo_Deforestation_Interview.mp3
20. http://www.bamboocentral.org/shareinrepair/whybamboo.htm
21. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11951725
22. ‘Can Bamboo Replace Thirsty Trees?’ http://www.worldagroforestry.org May 2009
23. http://www.greencottonblog.com
24. http://events.earthhourcanada.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/commodities/cotton/better_management_practices/water_use/
25. http://www.bs-bamboo.co.uk/bambooandtheenvironment.htm
26. http://events.earthhourcanada.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/commodities/cotton/environmental_impacts/agrochemicals_use/
27. http://www.ejfoundation.org/page332.html
28. http://www.ifoam.org/growing_organic/1_arguments_for_oa/criticisms_misconceptions/misconceptions_no7.html
29. http://www.fashionandearth.com/index.php/faq.html
30. http://www.cahs.colostate.edu/news/item/?ID=550
Another reason why you should start using organic cotton clothing is because they are not bleached with harmful chemicals the way traditional material is. When you use organic cotton, it is whitened with safe and eco-friendly peroxide solutions. This makes it much safer for people who have sensitive skin and for those who do not want harmful solutions used on their clothing. Another reason why using organic cotton for your clothing is a great decision is because of the way it is harvested. It is done naturally during cold weather and with water management. Traditional cotton is harvested using chemicals.
The coloring is another reason why so many people are choosing organic cotton clothing over the traditional cotton clothing. Traditional cotton is dyed using pigments that have heavy metals in them. Not only do these heavy metals remain in the clothing, they also find their way into the water system. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is dyed using natural pigments found in the earth. These pigments contain no heavy metals that are harmful for the environment. Another reason to use it is to send a message to people around you that they should be making environmentally friendly decisions as well.
Because more people are using organic cotton clothing now than ever before, you have so many more options. The organic cotton farmers also have found new and more varied methods on how to dye the materials, which gives you more options when it comes to clothing colors. When many people think of this type of clothing, they think of whites and browns, but you actually can get organic clothing in other colors as well. You do not have to limit your wardrobe because you are trying to do the environmentally friendly thing.
One of the reasons why using organic cotton is such a great decision to make is because the environment is such an important thing in this world. Because it is a known fact that cotton harvested the conventional way is destructive to the environment, whereas cotton grown organically does not, there is no reason why conventional cotton should be used. Growing it organically is such an easy alternative, so it is no wonder why so many people are making this type of cotton such a popular clothing choice.
In addition to using organic cotton for clothing, it also can be used for bedding reasons. Mattress covers and even blankets can be made with this material. One of the great things about using this material for bedding is that it is such a soft fabric. When many people think of organic material, they think of harsh-feeling fabric, but that just is not the case. That really is a huge misconception that people associate with organics. You will find that cotton produced organically actually feels just as soft as cashmere. Because there are so many different uses for cotton that is grown and harvested organically, it makes it such a great material to use.
Perhaps the most popular of the organic baby products obviously is organic baby food. Organic food really has taken the lead when it comes to having organic products in anyone’s lives. The other organic products are following behind. The main reason why organic baby food is the leader in organic products is because it is the only product that is consumed by the babies. Parents care so much about what happens to their babies. You make sure they do not eat certain foods until they are two, so it only makes sense to look for organic food. This is the only way to ensure that your baby will grow up healthy.
Another popular one of the organic baby products that parents are using is organic bedding. This is similar to the clothing because they are made of the same materials. Parents get so worried when their babies are sleeping because they try to make sure everything is going wonderfully for them. It only makes sense they would want organic products in the bedroom as well. Providing your child with all things organic does not have to stop at the food they eat.
Hemp also is one of the more popular organic textiles. One of the great things about it is that, not only does it not need pesticides but also that it actually improves the soil in which it is grown. There are not that many crops out there that can boast this. Another great thing about hemp is that it is drought resistant. This makes it possible to grow hemp in just about any environment or climate, which makes it more readily available than other textiles. This material actually has been used to make organic clothing for years and it just now is getting recognition because people are thinking environmentally these days.
The other of the most popular organic textiles is bamboo. If you are wondering how bamboo can be used as a textile, you might be surprised to know that it is great for making clothing. It is completely renewable because it grows just like grass, so it is friendly to the environment. Bamboo is great for clothing because it actually is an extremely soft material. Many people think it is as soft as cashmere. Because something as popular and useful as clothing can be created organically, it really has taken the world by storm.
Because cotton can be grown this way, it really makes sense to try to take advantage of it. So many people strive for finding completely organic food for themselves that it only makes sense that they would transfer that to their clothing and go with organic cotton as well. One of the issues that many people have with traditionally grown cotton is that they find traces of chemicals still on the fabric when they buy the clothing. This is not a good thing for people who have sensitive skin because it really can irritate their skin.
One of the reasons why using organic cotton is such a great decision to make is because the environment is such an important thing in this world. Because it is a known fact that cotton harvested the conventional way is destructive to the environment, whereas cotton grown organically does not, there is no reason why conventional cotton should be used. Growing it organically is such an easy alternative, so it is no wonder why so many people are making this type of cotton such a popular clothing choice.
In addition to using organic cotton for clothing, it also can be used for bedding reasons. Mattress covers and even blankets can be made with this material. One of the great things about using this material for bedding is that it is such a soft fabric. When many people think of organic material, they think of harsh-feeling fabric, but that just is not the case. That really is a huge misconception that people associate with organics. You will find that cotton produced organically actually feels just as soft as cashmere. Because there are so many different uses for cotton that is grown and harvested organically, it makes it such a great material to use.
Another reason why using hemp for your clothing is such a great decision is because it actually helps improve the soil in which it is grown. This is because it has really long roots, so it helps prevent soil erosion. When it comes to the actual clothing that is made from this material, you will find it is extremely absorbent. This makes it great for bath towels and just any clothes in general. It also is a stronger fiber than cotton, so you will find it is more durable than clothes made from cotton.
Hemp clothing actually is UV repellent up to 95 percent. Cotton clothing only can repel about 50 to 60 percent of the UV rays. This makes it a great choice for people who live in hot climates. You will not have to worry about getting skin cancer because your clothing will protect you. Another great benefit is that it is wrinkle-free. This is great because no one really enjoys ironing all his or her clothing. You also will find that it has insulation qualities, which makes it great for the wintertime. For anyone living in the warmer climates, it actually breathes quite well also.
The problem that many people have with organic wool is that they assume that, since wool is natural in the first place, that it does not have to be organic. However, wool that is produced and harvested in the conventional way actually is harmful to the sheep and to the environment. This is because the sheep typically are treated with pesticides and other chemicals throughout their lives. This is harmful to the animals, as well as to the environment because those chemicals leak into the ground. The reason it is considered natural is because it does not have to be produced. That does not make it organic though.
Because preserving the environment means a lot to many people these days, more people are trying to make more environmentally conscious decisions. Using organic wool for your clothing and bedding needs is one way you can do so. There are so many uses for wool in this world, so by using wool that is organic, you are bettering the environment every time you use a woolen product. Because this type of wool is better for the animals and for the environment, it really makes is a great decision to make.
Because soybeans are becoming an extremely popular crop these days, you do not have to worry about overusing this product when it comes to soy clothing. It is created from a by-product, so the fabric is something that easily can be made. A great way to use organic clothing, especially those made from soy, in your life is for your children. When you use organic clothing for your children, you are letting them know about how important the environment is and why they should make conscious choices regarding it. They will grow into an economically and environmentally friendly adult simply because of the clothes you had them wear as a child.
Using soy to make fabric really is nothing new. The Chinese have been doing this for several hundred years, and it even was used as car seat fabric by Henry Ford in the early part of the 20th Century in America. Because there is such an eco-friendly way to create clothing, there really is no reason why more people are not using this organic clothing. Anything you can do to help save the environment should be done. The best part is all you have to do is buy it. You do not have to go through the hassle of making it.
In addition to its growing quickly, bamboo also does not need any sort of pesticides or anything during the growing or harvesting process. One of the main problems people have with traditional clothing is all the chemicals that are used to dye the materials different colors. With bamboo, you actually do not have to use harmful chemicals because natural pigments easily dye the fabric. This is great for people with sensitive skin and especially for babies who need softer and chemical-free clothing.
Another benefit you will find when you use bamboo to make clothing is the fact that it actually absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide. This is great because growing this plant helps reduce the risk of too much carbon dioxide in the world. Because so many people are trying to make better decisions in their lives, clothing made from this plant is readily available and affordable. You can find it for babies and children all the way up to adults. If you have been looking for better ways to live your life, one of the easiest ways to do so is by using organic clothing.
Another great benefit of using bamboo clothing is that it is extremely versatile. Although it is as soft as cashmere, it actually is as strong as denim. This makes it great for long-lasting clothing. You do not have to worry about buying it and then having it fall apart after wearing it a few times. It also is a great absorbent. This is because bamboo actually can absorb 60 percent more water than cotton can. It also makes a great choice for people who have skin irritations or sensitive skin. This is because clothing made from bamboo is completely organic, so you do not have to worry about pesticides the way you do with cotton clothing.
Because more people are thinking of the environment in other aspects of their lives such as their homes and vehicles, it only makes sense that you should think of it when it comes to your clothing as well. The best way to go, environmentally speaking is with bamboo clothing. There are so many benefits for the environment, as well as for you personally, that it can’t be beat. For anyone who has been looking to incorporate more eco-friendly decisions into their lives, clothing from bamboo is a great option.
Both Chloe and Sophie have always been very health conscious and followed the organic trend, so what better way to start a business, than by selling the very things they were themselves passionate about. Both sisters had big plans for Bamboo Baby but like most things Bamboo Baby started out small, organic baby cosmetics and cloth nappies were the first items on sale on the online shop, but this was a means to an end, and the company has since expanded and grown into a gorgeous bamboo clothing range, producing baby & kids clothing for ages from 0-3m up to 7 years. Bamboo Baby sell wholesale baby clothes as well as direct to consumer.
The organic baby clothes are all designed by Sophie who completed a degree in fashion at Kingston University between 2002-2006, not long before the business was up and running. Her graduate year was where she realised her passion for designing children’s wear and in her final collection designed her first collection.
At trade shows recently, customers have been excited with the expansion of the range, “I remember you a few years back and you sold mainly white products. You have so many more styles now” The organic baby clothes ranges started out with simple and natural styles, consisting of classic white and baby denim ranges and the best selling Bamboo Baby blankets. The popularity of these original styles allowed for the development of the company which now has baby and kids denim jeans still in the original classic – which is always a customer favourite – as well as a variety of funky styles with contrast coloured stitching and white denim for S/S 2010 as well as gorgeous bamboo knitwear, t-shirts, pyjamas and bodysuits.
The company has expanded with the commitment of Chloe and Sophie, yet the experience has been far from easy, both my sisters have juggled running the business whilst having full-time jobs. This has meant time has always been spread thin, and all the family have had to help out. There hasn’t been the budget for traditional marketing, however they communicate with customers through their blog http://www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk/blog/ and social networking sites Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/BambooBaby/93868342283 and Twitter http://twitter.com/BambooBabyLtd and take time out to meet customers face to face at tradeshows and markets around London (Spitalfields, Greenwich, Cabbages & Frocks). However I know if you asked them neither sister would have any regrets about their decision to become two young and successful entrepreneurs of the 21st century!
Business is going well at Bamboo Baby with turnover having doubled over the last 12 months, and the bamboo clothing range is now sold in over 20 countries worldwide. My prediction that my sisters would create something fresh and exciting has turned out to be correct. Bamboo Baby has had a great response since its launch and we all have high hopes for the future!
Living a ‘green’ lifestyle is not easy, and if you’ve got children it can be even harder. You might have got your head round organic food and organic clothes for the children (like the ones from Bamboo Baby), but how about all those toys?
The Mummy actress Rachel Weisz once said in an interview that before she had children she vowed to stick to lovely traditional wooden toys and now her home is filled with plastic stuff she always intended not to have. And I suspect many of us are like that, you start off with good intentions, but they fall along the wayside, along with lie-ins and romantic meals a deux, when the kids appear.
So how can you alter your toy-buying habits to help lessen your carbon footprint and just be generally ‘greener’ in your ways? Here are a few simple ideas that hopefully won’t break the bank either.
Toy library
There are some fabulous – and often free – resources available to parents of young children. Find out about your local Children’s Centre or Surestart Centre for lots of information. They’ll also tell you about your nearest toy library. This great service lets children take home a toy, just like taking out a library book. So they can get a new toy every week, without you spending a penny!
Car boot sales/charity shops/eBay
These are wonderful places to find toys – and they’re being recycled so you can buy without a conscience. Kids nowadays have so many toys and outgrow fads so quickly that you’re bound to pick up a bargain. Look out especially for baby toys, as these are outgrown so quickly, and bigger toys that take up space – we’ve seen some fabulous pirate ships and medieval castles for sale recently. Just make sure you’ve got room for them yourself!
Freecycle
Like an online car boot sale where everything is free, toys often pop up on Freecycle’s on offer boards. Look out particularly for garden toys (climbing frames and swing sets are commonly offered, as long as you can pick up and take away), as well as boxes of assorted toys resulting from a big clearout. The trick with Freecycle is to be quick (sign up for email alerts), polite and to offer to collect as soon as possible.
Ditch The Batteries
Apart from the fact that trying to keep up with which toys take which batteries can be a headache in itself, there are other concerns. Batteries contain heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel and mercury that can leach into the water system when thrown away. If you need batteries choose alkaline manganese ones, which are free from heavy metals.
Phthalates
There are concerns about the presence of Phthalates, or plasticizers, which are added to many kinds of plastics such as PVC and vinyl. Greenpeace has been particularly vocal in its concerns about these ‘gender bending’ chemicals, which have been linked to genital abnormalities in boys. There is now a ban on Phthalates on toys made in Europe, so it’s worth checking out toys made elsewhere, particularly for small children who are likely to chew and suck on toys.
‘Green’ wooden toys
Many manufacturers off wooden toys are very much aware of the eco-issues surrounding toys, which is why they offer wooden toys in the first place. The Forest Stewardship Council enables you to buy forest products of all kinds with confidence that you are not contributing to global forest destruction. FSC certified forests are managed to ensure long term timber supplies while protecting the environment and the lives of forest-dependent peoples. Look out for the FSC logo on wooden toys – including garden toys.
Organic clothes for children (such as the organic bamboo and cotton fibre used to make the clothes from Bamboo Baby) are often bought by parents who are concerned about their children’s delicate skin, or where sensitive skin runs in the family.
So it makes sense to care for all the family’s your clothes in an equally chemical-free way. It is also possible to cut down on energy and water use. Here are our tips on washing the eco-friendly way.
Take a few minutes to hang out your clothes rather than putting them in the tumble drier. If you hang clothes up efficiently, they dry crease-free and you’ll cut down on your ironing too! If it’s wet outside a clotheshorse near a radiator will do the trick.
These are an eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent. These balls, which are designed to last for up to 1,000 washes, contain mineral salts that produce ionised oxygen, which can get rid of dirt and grime.
Oxygen bleach
Look out for oxygen bleach, such as that from Ecover. Contains no chlorine or ‘optical brightener’, a chemical that reflects light, making clothes look whiter and brighter than they really are.
Do remember to check that the stain remover has worked before drying your clothes. Once a stain is dried on, it’s really hard to get rid of! Here’s our rundown of the best natural stain removers.
The Dirty Dozen – organic foods to put on your shopping list
Buying organic food is much easier than it used to be, with supermarkets stocking a good choice of organic products. And with the increase in availability, the price difference between organic and non-organic produce definitely seems to have narrowed.
But we know times are hard nowadays, and if you are finding your budget really does not stretch to a totally organic shopping list, which products should you really try to keep organic where possible, and where can you make cuts if necessary?
The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.co.uk) has come up with a helpful guide to help shoppers choose which products to buy organic. The dirty dozen are fruit and veg that because of their porous skins and high use of pesticides should always be bought organic if at all possible.
Apples
Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Grapes
Carrots
Pears
The Clean 15 have thicker skins and/or do not receive many pesticides in the growing process,
Meat
Non-organic meat can be full of antibiotics and growth hormones, while organic meat is free of these, and also comes from animals that are raised in a more humane manner. The land on which they are kept will also have fewer or no chemicals. It’s worth paying the extra for this if you can.
How can you stick to your green credentials AND have a lovely Christmas? Here are some eco-friendly ideas for Christmas presents.
For new parents
Well, this is a no-brainer! Of course a beautiful baby gift set from Bamboo Baby, or one of our luscious, soft baby blankets made from organic bamboo.
And with one eye on the future, how about a Becopotty? It will last as long as a plastic potty, but because it’s made from rice husks it’s biodegradable. Costs £7.99 (www.becothings.com/newbornpotty.html)
For children
If you hark back to the good old days when toys were made from wood, there’s good news for you. Several sites sell beautifully made wooden toys using FSC approved wood. We really love the little treehouses and trains from www.treeblocks.co.uk
For gardeners
Sometimes, you just don’t get round to buying yourself straightforward things. So if you’ve got a friend who’s a keen gardener, or has recently joined the grow-your-own set, give them a compost bin or some seeds for the new growing season. Top names Thompson and Morgan and Suttons both sell organic seeds, which you’ll find in most garden centres.
For the foodie
Anyone who loves good food will be delighted to receive a hamper of local products. Choose from local honey, fruit juices, cider, cheese… the list is endless! Check out farm shops and farmers markets for ideas.
For the person who has everything
How about a chicken… or a goat? Not for them, silly. These are gifts in the Oxfam Unwrapped scheme. Your gift goes to a deserving community, to help them help themselves. A chicken costs £11, a bag of seed a tenner – or you can plant an allotment for £24.
Bake your own
If you’re a keen baker, rustle up some delicious cupcakes or muffins and present in a lovely old (read retro!) cake tin. Or make some homemade sweets – who could resist? Just be sure to make some extra because I can guarantee not all of them will get to their intended recipient!
Chocolates
Organic chocolate is de rigeur, so whether you choose Green & Black’s or Booja-Booja chcolate truffles – it’s chocolate right? Who won’t love it?! Take a look at www.chocolateorganic.co.uk and www.chocaid.com for more ideas – and if you buy from Chocaid, a cut of your money goes to a hunger relief project of your choice, so everybody wins.
Perfumes
Just because you’re into saving the planet doesn’t mean you don’t want to smell nice! But so many of today’s perfumes contain nasty synthetic ingredients, so where to find a delicious scented treat that doesn’t cost the earth? Well, it’s not as hard as you might think. Aveda has recently added an eco-friendly perfume to its range. The Ancient Attar Pure-fume Spirit Aroma Spray has been made using traditional Indian techniques and costs £44, or for a more affordable gift, look for Florame’s Eau de Vetiver, which is reminiscent of liquorice and is unisex, so you could cheat and give it to a couple! At £14.99 that’s a real bargain.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
If you’re handy with a paintbrush or a screwdriver, you could delight someone with a pressie that didn’t cost you anything! Check out Freecycle (www.freecycle.co.uk) and SnaffleUp (www.snaffleup.co.uk) for freebies from furniture to bicycles. If you can do them up, you’ll be keeping things out of landfill, and getting presents for little more than a bit of your time
For the gadget lover
He loves his gadgets, but what about his carbon footprint? Take a look at the Baylis Eco Media Player Revolution. From the same chap who brought us the wind-up radio and torch, this music player can hold up to 2,000 songs in mp3 and other formats and costs £109.95 from www.greenandeasy.co.uk. Or consider some solar lights for his shed!
Bamboo Clothing by Chloe Tostevin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 UK: England & Wales License.
Based on a work at www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at www.organic-babyclothing.co.uk.
