We receive more and more orders of products made from organic cotton. Organic cotton may be one of the first things that pop up in people’s mind when thinking of sustainability in fashion, but how is it different from regular cotton? I’ll also be introducing some products that are available on ApparelX, so check those out at the end!
The word “organic” is often associated with something that is good for the environment or our bodies. But some people may not be clear about its true meaning.
Organic cotton is grown from non-genetically modified seeds on farmland approved by certification agencies (which adheres to strict standards for pesticides and chemical fertilizers), and is harvested without the use of defoliants.
So what’s the difference between organic cotton and regular cotton
They have the same quality, such as feel, even after undergoing quality testing. However, this is only when the scientific testing is done on the raw cotton.
Regular cotton has some unevenness and is less fluffy than organic cotton. This is due to differences in harvesting methods.
Organic cotton is harvested when it is fully-grown, but regular cotton is harvested when it a good amount is still immature as they are harvested efficiently in large quantities by spraying defoliants to artificially kill the leaves and stems. The immaturity of the cotton causes differences in the condition of the cotton and in each individual fiber. Furthermore, when it goes through various processes to become a “product,” the differences in the feel and subsequent usage differs between organic and regular cotton
Regular cotton undergoes various chemical treatments when it is made into fabric from yarn, while organic undergoes as little chemical treatment as possible (it cannot be said that all manufacturers do this, but it can be said that the more conscientious the manufacturer, the less chemical treatment they use). This is why there is a big difference when it comes to the finished product.
Products available on ApparelX
Please see this page for a comprehensive list of fabrics and trims made with organic cotton.
137-610 – Organic Cotton Natural Herringbone Tape (0.5mm Thick)
This is a herringbone woven cotton tape. Available in a wide range of colors (36 colors!) and widths (6mm~50mm!!), it can be used for a variety of purposes, from clothing to miscellaneous goods.
OS201 – Turkish Organic Cotton Slub Back Satin
SHIBAYA’s sustainably updated standard back satin! Turkey is a land suitable for organic cultivation that prevents cotton drying and pests by blowing the wind from the sea into the vast fields facing the Aegean Sea.
There’s more to see! ripstop, french terry, circular rib knits, denim and more!
ApparelX is a BtoB ecommerce platform for brands, tailors and the like to order from small MOQs from a variety of manufacturers in one order. And we ship worldwide!
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If you are looking to bulk order, custom order, or have any other questions, contact us through our contact form and a member on the Global Strategy Team will get back to you within the next business day. (Please understand that we are based in Japan and our office hours are 9am-6pm so we are only able to answer during that time).
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