ORGANIC COTTON AND TRADITIONAL COTTON: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

May 25, 2023

ORGANIC COTTON AND TRADITIONAL COTTON: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

We don't always realize it, but cotton is the most used fabric in the world: it represents more than half of the planet's fiber needs!

It is estimated that 20,000 tonnes of cotton are produced each year, or 820 kg per second!

Non-organic produce that is grown using chemicals causes great harm to the environment .

These pesticides contaminate soil and water. They damage natural resources and upset the balance of ecosystems. Conventional cotton causes real degradation of the soil and makes it unusable for growing other plants.

The production of a simple T-shirt harms the environment in unimaginable ways!

So what are the differences between organic cotton and regular cotton?

There is a big difference between classic cotton and organic cotton. If you've used organic cotton products before, you'll have a hard time going back to traditional cotton.

At Ekoloji, we find that there are significant benefits to organic cotton, and not just because of the quality of the products!

Cotton Purity

The purity of cotton fibers is determined by how the cotton is harvested.

Organic cotton is picked entirely by hand, which preserves the purity of each fiber and ensures that no fiber is damaged in the process.

Regular cotton, which has greater demand and supply, is usually machine picked to meet this demand. Fibers are often damaged during picking, leading to loss and waste.

Organic cotton products will be softer than regular cotton because the fibers are longer. Hand picking ensures that these fibers are not weakened or broken, resulting in softer, more durable products.

Cotton Cultivation

Growing regular cotton starts with GMO or genetically modified seeds. They are resistant to insects, but when the insects become stronger, more pesticides have to be used, which has a huge impact on the environment and the health of workers.

Organic cotton is made from natural seeds, without the use of pesticides or other dangerous chemicals.

Cotton growing in general requires a lot of water, but it is worse for conventional growing. Due to the poverty of the soil due to the reuse of the same land over and over again, the water drains more quickly without nourishing the plant, which requires more watering than for organic cultivation.

Fiber and fabric production

The manufacturing of regular cotton uses a large amount of chemicals . The use of heavy metals, chlorine and chemical dyes is not uncommon in the manufacture of conventional cotton. Even after finished products are washed, residues of these chemicals remain and can cause serious skin allergies.

Organic cotton uses safer alternatives to chemical dyes and bleaches. Natural or water-based dyes, peroxide for bleaching, and other safer products are used to make the finished products.

In conclusion :

Organic cotton is softer, hypoallergenic and lasts longer.

And the most important benefit is saving the ecosystem, reducing water wastage and ensuring a safer working environment for farmers and manufacturers.

Organic cotton is a sustainable and eco-friendly option to regular cotton. And that's why in our Ekoloji collection, the cotton that does not come from recycled clothing comes from organic production!