What is Organic Cotton & Why We Should Use It: UK Update

Being sustainable helps the planet, but organic cotton fabric products are also gentle to people. We explore these natural cotton fibres and fabrics and discover why organic cotton is a great sustainable choice.

Currently, the world is doing its utmost to be more sustainable and preserve the planet. We know how important it is to be environmentally friendly, so let's talk about organic cotton in detail. Here, we've compiled a comprehensive guide on this cotton fabric and why it’s a more sustainable choice. We also discuss how we produce cotton and what makes a cotton textile organic and sustainable.

People have always believed that cotton material is good quality and that 100% cotton textile is an excellent choice. Today, great quality is not enough reason for a person to shop for cotton material, no matter what cotton brand you look at, whether you are looking for a cotton shirt or home accessories. 

We all consider being more sustainable these days. For example, we consider all fabric 'excellent' when organic and sustainable.

As designers and human beings, we need to protect our planet. We use the term ‘organic food’ to describe produce that we have grown sustainably. In the same way, we also produce ‘organic cotton’ in a very sustainable way. And we use fewer chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers, and less water to produce organic cotton crops. 

What Organic Cotton Means

Let's discuss this organic cotton fabric. This is how the Global Organic Textile Standards, or GOTS, describes it. The organisation has created the green (eco) standard for producing Organic Cotton Textiles.

GOTS focuses on changing how we grow organic cotton crops to ensure organic cotton is created using methods and fabrics that have a low impact on the environment. The plan is to grow cotton plants without using synthetic chemicals in fertilisers and pesticides. Organic cotton plants need less water to grow in the soil, and natural farm methods ensure excellent soil quality.

According to GOTS, organic cotton farms should produce cotton material using natural methods and water. These organic cotton plants require less water to grow. And farming keeps the soil quality high, while also limiting soil erosion.

Being sustainable helps the planet, but these sustainable cotton products are also gentle to people. Let’s explore these sustainable cotton textile items and discover why organic cotton is a great sustainable choice.

In this informative blog, we explain why this fabric is more sustainable, how organic cotton is produced and what makes a textile sustainable.

GOTS Certification

GOTS recommends farms use non-genetically modified seeds to grow organic cotton plants. It all started in the United States in the 1980s, when farmers began using more sustainable agricultural methods. Since then, these organic farming methods have become popular worldwide. Natural methods like these create an environmentally friendly form of cotton material that has become extremely sought-after.

However, you must be aware that producing organic cotton material is more expensive, as organic cotton textile production costs farmers more. These methods use less water and no harmful chemicals. Also, organic cotton plants don’t yield as much cotton material as conventional cotton ones, so the yield is less.

Despite this, there are plenty of advantages to choosing organic cotton fabric. For instance, organic cotton materials are softer than conventional cotton fabrics. Organic cotton products are more comfortable and often made of a higher quality than normal cotton clothing. Producers don't use harmful chemicals to make organic cotton material, so parents prefer organic cotton for children's and babies' clothing.

The 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge

Initiated by the Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit in 2020, the 2025 Sustainable Cotton Challenge is currently run by the Textile Exchange. This unique initiative is the first industry commitment on sustainable cotton where companies have committed to ensuring that 100% of the cotton they use will come from more sustainable sources by 2025. Although it ends in December this year, the Textile Exchange is currently compiling a set of Commitments that will launch in 2026.

The goal of this long-term challenge is to increase the textile industry’s use of more sustainable cotton. This involves sourcing 100% of their cotton material from small farms to boost their income, and ensure that the fabric has been grown using methods that involve less harmful pesticides and fertilisers.

When it was initiated five years ago, only 30% of all cotton used in the fabric industry was grown this way. The aim was to increase that 30% to 50% by the end of this year to ensure cotton is more sustainable, and less harmful to the planet.

5 Reasons to Choose Organic Cotton Textiles

1. Producing this Cotton is Sustainable

All the production systems for organic cotton fiber are natural, sustainable, ethical, and free of chemicals. 

To grow an organic cotton plant, farmers have to fertilise the soil in a particular way. They do not use genetically engineered cotton seeds to produce organic cotton fiber. This natural agricultural method also uses chemical-free pesticides and an irrigation system that requires less water. This is a more sustainable solution to growing organic cotton long-term.

Those farms that grow certified organic cotton are sustainable organic farms. These farms also don't use harmful chemicals. Farmers have had to find natural methods to grow the cotton to produce the same results without harming the environment. This includes using less water to grow organic cotton plants.

Natural farm methods include introducing insects to control pests instead of synthetic pesticides. The organic farmers also use natural methods to enhance the soil rather than fossil fuel-based fertilisers. In addition, organic cotton farmers have found environmentally friendly methods to save drinking water and use alternative water for the crops.

This certification covers another important sustainable aspect of organic cotton crops. GOTS also ensures cotton farm workers work in tolerable, humane environments.

2. A Cotton That's Gentler on the Skin  

Imagine you have purchased a 100% cotton product, perhaps a cotton item of fashion clothing, towels, or bedding, and you're allergic. The reason for this is directly related to how farmers produce the fabric. Or perhaps it's because the farmers exposed the cotton to toxic chemical substances like pesticides.

Most cotton material producers use harmful chemicals. Sometimes the dye they use to colour the cotton material also has chemicals.

But when we produce organic cotton material, we don’t use any chemicals. Organic cotton products like bed linen, sleepwear, and other fashion or leisure garments are natural and hypoallergenic. This means that people with sensitive skin can use these cotton items.

When you purchase any of maake's fabrics you know that we've made sure they are chemically safe and come from responsible suppliers. We also ensure we use less water in the printing process when we print on an organic cotton material.

3. Cotton That's Softer, Stronger & Lasts Longer

Organic cotton textiles are so comfortable and durable, which is why they are used to make fashion clothes and numerous products for babies and young children.

These cotton textiles are natural, gentle on the skin, and feel soft to the touch. They may cost more, but this is not always the case. However, even if they are more expensive, people are happy to pay extra for the cotton’s luxurious feel.

Organic cotton fabric is soft because it has a longer fiber than standard cotton. As we hand-pick organic cotton, we ensure the fiber doesn’t break like conventional cotton fibre. Its texture is luxurious too.

4. More Sustainable, Biodiverse Cotton

As cotton plants need lots of water to grow, organic cotton farms have found ways to reduce the use of drinking water. Instead, they collect rainwater to water the plants. Currently, rainwater is being used instead of drinking water to water 81% of organic crops globally.

Research shows that farms save 91% on irrigation, too. Soil nourished without harmful chemicals doesn’t need as much water. 

This is how we make organic cotton, which is creating a more sustainable ecosystem. If you'd like more information on the subject, read maake’s take on Social Responsibility and sustainability. You can also read our blog explaining how we save water in our Digital Textile Printing process, an innovative process that uses no water at all.

5. Organic Material Prevents Global Warming by Reducing Carbon Emissions

Climate change is negatively affecting people and the planet. It has caused several weather shifts, such as temperature changes and extreme weather patterns. 

Unfortunately, our society and habits are to blame for these situations. Since the 19th century, we’ve used fossil fuels (coal, gas, and oil) to modernise our world. 

We didn't realise we were harming the environment. But we are now aware that we're releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. 

Producing organic cotton emits 50% less carbon dioxide than growing standard cotton. That's just another reason you should shop for more sustainable cotton materials!

Certified Organic Materials

Several global organisations have created strict standards to measure whether cotton is certified organic or not. They also measure whether farms grow organic cotton sustainably, without chemicals, and with less water. These organisations include Fair Trade UK and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which we mentioned in detail above. They operate worldwide, including in the United States, Europe, and the UK. 

These standards measure how manufacturers make the organic cotton material. It also covers the colourants they use to dye the cotton cloth and the supply chains involved in the organic cotton trade. These methods need to be transparent and sustainable. The organisations then have these methods rated accordingly. 

This certification has specific standards that check whether cotton crops are organic or not. They focus on the environment, saving water and farmers’ livelihoods.

We have compiled an extensive blog on Textile Certifications for you to refer to.

The Other Side of the Cotton Story

As in life, nothing in organic cotton production is perfect.

We know that organic cotton produces less than conventional cotton from the same amount of land. We need 25% more land to yield the same amount of organic cotton as the ‘normal’ variety. 

The world is running out of space, so farming needs to be more sustainable. Deforestation is not the answer, as this would cause even more global warming. 

Sometimes producing organic cotton involves using natural pesticides. The chemicals in these pesticides can also harm the environment. Some natural pesticides use more toxic chemicals than synthetic pesticides used for growing conventional cotton. 

Genetically Modified Plants

When we produce organic cotton, we don't genetically modify the material. This can be a good thing, but it has its disadvantages. Genetically modified cotton is resistant to pests, so we don’t need pesticides. This type of textile also produces healthy soil that doesn’t need fertiliser. 

Earlier we mentioned that organic cotton is more expensive to produce than regular cotton. The reason for this is that the cultivation process is more complicated and the crop yield is less. 

In addition, there are environmental and social issues. The social aspect is a global issue that involves low wages and bad working conditions for labourers. 

Is Selecting Organic Fabric a Must for Your Printing?

At maake, we provide sustainable material to print on, including over 15 types of organic cotton fabric. We stock both organic and natural products, such as cotton and linen. 

These days, we consider many materials to be sustainable. However, these materials are often in short supply, and their prices rise and fall. For this reason, you need to be open-minded when you choose the material you want to print on. 

The Digital Printing Methods maake uses don't require any water. These methods also use less energy than a bathroom radiator (and that energy is 100% renewable energy). These methods create no more than a thimble of waste ink per 1km of printing. 

All inks we use meet GOTS 6.0 and Oeko Tex Class 1 standards. This means your fabrics have passed stringent standards and are sustainable and safe for infants and kids.

Farming Naturally in the Future

Take note of the information below, and make better choices when you choose cotton material and cotton garments for products for personal use:

• Organic cotton farming reduces greenhouse gas emissions dramatically. It also has several other positive environmental, social, and health benefits.
• Globally, designers, manufacturers, and retailers support organic cotton production. They are aware that this type of material is more sustainable. They also know organic cotton will benefit the planet and future generations.

Shop Organic Material & Blends at maake

Add some of these organic cotton fabrics and textile blends when you shop…

• Organic Calico Natural: This is an organic, unbleached version of our cotton Panama textile stock. These unbleached textiles print beautifully – colours appear lighter and muted. The cotton material, which is GOTS-certified, has slight imperfections.
• Organic Jasmine Iris Jersey:  Medium-weight, smooth-textured cotton lycra jersey knit fabric that is soft to the touch. Used for leggings, t-shirts and kids’ clothing. Digitally printed with vibrant colours and clear lines.
• Organic Jasmine Lycra Jersey: Medium-weight, smooth, knitted cotton lycra jersey with great stretch and recovery. Used for leggings, kids’ clothing and t-shirts.
• Organic Jersey Interlock: Organic cotton fabric with a two-way stretch, making it not as stretchy than other jersey fabrics. These smooth, knitted fabrics are used to make comfortable garments and children’s clothing.
• Organic Leve Panama Natural: Lighter than our popular natural Panama fabric, this one has a solid, sturdy woven structure and is extremely hard-wearing. Ideal for bags and home accessories like cushions and curtains.
• Organic Panama Natural: The organic, unbleached version of our Panama fabric is very durable. It’s GOTS-certified and used for handbags and home accessories such as cushions and curtains. Because it’s unbleached, it may have slight imperfections and colours may appear more muted when printed.
• Organic Poplin: This is the organic cotton version of our popular Cotton Poplin. It's light and smooth, so it's ideal for bed linen, crafts, and fashion products (dresses, shirts, and outer layers). You can use this textile year-round. Organic Poplin prints beautifully.
• Optic White Organic Panama: A hard-wearing organic, bleached cotton material is similar to our Panama textile. It's ideal for bags, curtains, and home accessories. It resembles a midweight canvas material and is also available with a natural base.

 Explore all organic cotton textiles and blends at maake