Organic cotton
Cotton grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers and from non-GM seed. The fibre itself is the same as conventional cotton. Only the farming is different.
How it’s made
- 1Grown under organic farming rules: crop rotation, natural pest control, no synthetic agrochemicals.
- 2Harvested, ginned to separate fibre from seed, then spun and woven or knitted like any cotton.
- 3Certification (e.g. GOTS) can also cover processing: dyes, chemicals and social criteria in the factories.
What to look for
- A certification that covers the finished garment (GOTS), not just the raw fibre.
- Fibre type still matters: organic doesn't mean long-staple. Some brands combine organic with Pima or similar.
Pros
- Lower chemical load in farming
- Same comfort as conventional cotton
- Widely available
Cons
- Yield is often lower, so land use per kg can be higher
- 'Organic' without certification is hard to verify
Typical use
- Running:
- Rarely ideal for running; cotton holds sweat.
- Streetwear:
- T-shirts, sweats, basics.
Sustainability
Generally less harmful to farmers and soil. Water use depends heavily on region and whether the crop is rain-fed or irrigated, so be wary of blanket claims.