This is the fifth and final post in the organic clothing series.
As I wrap things up, I’d like to share with you a few more things you should know about organic clothing.
How To Tell If A Garment Is Organic.
1. First of all, the USDA does not certify clothing as organic.
The fibers used to make the garment may be but not the finished piece. Therefore, you won’t find the USDA’s certified seal on clothes you purchase.
However, the USDA has stated that Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification can be used to designate garments sold in the US as organic.
GOTS Grades of Organic Certification
2. GOTS has two levels or grades of organic certification.
Grade 1 – On labels you may see “Organic” – which means that at least 95 percent of the garment is made with certified organic fibers and no more than 5 percent non-organic or synthetic fibers.
Grade 2 – On labels you may see “Made with X percent Organic” – which means that at least 70 percent of the garment is made with certified organic fibers and not more than 30 percent non-organic fibers but no more than 10 percent conventional synthetic fibers. Socks, leggings, and sportswear are allowed up to 25 percent conventional synthetic fibers.
For garments that are made with fibers that were grown during the land’s conversion period from conventional to organic, you may see “organic – in conversion” or “X Percent Organic – in Conversion”
For more information about the GOTS visit www.global-standard.org.
When There Are No Certification Labels
3. Not all manufacturers display a symbol of GOTS certification on their labels.
In this case, you will have to do some research and call the manufacturer to ask about a garment’s organic certification.
More Than Clothing
4. In addition to clothing, there are many other products made out of organic fabrics.
They include bedding, table cloths, kitchen towels, bath towels and even mattresses.
So, there you have it. Are you as excited about organic clothing as I am?
I must say, however, that my enthusiasm wanes a bit when I consider what it takes to purchase organic clothes. I find the items to be quite costly and not available in many mainstream store fronts. (There is greater availability online.)
Due to this, I purchase natural fiber clothing. Although, conventionally grown, they are less problematic for me than totally synthetic garments. (There have been items that were so chemically laden that I could not wear them.) They are less expensive and can be found at most stores.
If you know of any budget friendly and or easily accessible organic clothing retailers, please leave a comment and share your sources.
I hope you found this series of posts helpful. You can find the other posts here:
Part 2: Health Benefits of Organic Clothing
Part 3: Organic Clothing Aids Environment
Part 4: More Benefits of Organic Clothing
About Cassandra D. Wright
