{ Make Room for Organic Cotton } Green Living

One of the best things in life has got to be crawling into a bed that is dressed in luxurious sheets. I’m moderately picky with what kinds of sheets I choose (must be high thread count and all cotton) but after reading this guest post it is apparent that clearly I need to be MORE picky; Organic Cotton sheets will be making their way into my home very shortly. Cortney and Rebecca from The Green Room are here today to fill us in on Organic Cotton in the home.  Enjoy!

One of the first things we treated ourselves to when we opened shop was a set of certified organic cotton sheets. We thought this was a good investment considering how much time was spent wrapped up in our bedding each night. Since then, organic cotton has made its way into our kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms- with everything from, bed linens and accessories, to table linens, towels, clothes and baby products- the possibilities are endless.

This extremely soft, luxurious and beautiful fabric sets itself apart from conventional cotton in that it has not been treated with any chemicals in the growing or manufacturing process. According to The Organic Trade Association “Cotton uses 25% of the world’s insecticides and more than 10% of the pesticides.” When used, pesticides can end up in the local groundwater and in turn can create a number of health risks for both the workers and wildlife- not something we want hanging on our conscience. Once the pesticide laden cotton is picked, it gets sent to a factory where it is then bleached with chlorine, soaked in toxic chemical dyes and sprayed down with a wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press chemical finish (likely formaldehyde). Yikes! That bedding isn’t sounding so cozy and inviting anymore is it?

Organic cotton is looking like a winning option – but how do we go about choosing a quality organic cotton product? Follow these three steps:

1. Ensure 100% organic cotton

2. Ensure Certification

3. Have fun!

First of all, make sure that the product is 100% certified organic cotton and that it is not blended with conventional cotton. Many companies can advertise their product as organic cotton but may only have a small percentage of actual organic content. Check that your organic cotton product has a certification such as Fair-Trade, SKAL or Oeko-Tex which means that the product has been strictly monitored from the time the seed is put in the ground until the time the product is packaged for resale. Don’t fret about finding a company that is certified, as there are many reputable companies to choose from.

Lastly, Have FUN choosing your organic cotton products, as there is no need to compromise on comfort or style.