Regarding fashion, it’s essential to switch to eco-friendly textiles. These fabrics require minimal chemical treatment, minimal water, and energy consumption. Organic cotton is the most popular option, but other sustainable options exist. These include linen, hemp, and bamboo fibers.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is a fantastic, ethical option when buying new clothes or home goods. It’s also a great way to help fight climate change. When buying a garment, ensure it has been made with 100% organic cotton. This can be done by checking if the label is GOTS and Oeko-Tex certified, which ensures it has been produced without harmful chemicals along the whole supply chain. In contrast, conventional cotton farming uses synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that harm local ecosystems, wildlife, and health. Many toxins are absorbed through the skin and are known to cause cancer, liver damage, and neurotoxicity. These chemical-based methods can also contribute to deforestation, leading to climate change. To avoid this, organic cotton farmers use natural growing techniques that promote biodiversity, encourage wildlife and support a healthy ecosystem. This means the soil quality is naturally improved, helping crops to grow healthier and absorb more carbon dioxide.
Linen
Linen is one of the most popular eco friendly textiles for many reasons. It’s a breathable fabric that keeps you cool and dry, is easy to care for, and doesn’t need chemicals or pesticides. Moreover, linen is a natural, biodegradable, and recyclable fabric often made from flax plants. This makes it the most sustainable fabric, as flax does not require pesticides and uses only rainwater to grow. When buying linen products, look for transparent information about the growing and production process to ensure that it is ethical and sustainable. Avoid products that use chemical dyes, as those can contaminate soil and water. Linen fabric is also durable and strong, making it a great choice for high-quality bedding and apparel. It can be machine-washed, but use cold water and avoid bleach. If cared for properly, linen can last a lifetime. It’s a great choice for people who like to wear comfortable and timeless pieces, so it’s worth investing in a few quality linen garments to get the most out of your wardrobe!
Bamboo Viscose
One of the main reasons to consider switching to eco-friendly textiles is their environmental impact. Bamboo viscose is an excellent option because it uses a closed-loop process that recaptures and reuses 99% of the chemicals used to make the fabric. During manufacturing, bamboo pulp is soaked in a chemical solution of sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide to transform it into strands. These are then pushed through tiny holes in a spinneret to become yarn. Another way to acquire the fibers is to crush the bamboo plants and extract the cellulose mechanically. This method is considered more sustainable, but it can be expensive and labor-intensive.
In addition to being more sustainable, this method does not chemically alter the cellulose structure like the other methods. It is also much cheaper and easier to produce. Bamboo viscose is also incredibly breathable. It can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This makes it an excellent option for anyone who is looking for a comfortable and versatile material for bedding.
Hemp
Hemp is an eco-friendly, sustainable fabric that could greatly impact the fashion industry. But, with a checkered past and recent government restrictions, there are still some challenges to building hemp into a reputable sustainable fabric source. Hemp fibers are long and strong, perfect for various garments, from T-shirts to dresses. They are also resistant to wear and tear so you can expect a hemp T-shirt to last for years. The carbon-negative aspect of hemp is another reason to consider it as a sustainable fabric option. It absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per hectare than any other crop. It can also produce biofuel, a clean alternative to gas and oil. When burned, it has a high fuel-to-feed ratio and produces no harmful sulfur oxides.
Jute
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, organic, and biodegradable textile perfect for your lifestyle and the environment, switch to jute. This plant-based fiber is a popular choice for making bags, ropes, canvas furniture, and more.
It’s the most affordable natural fiber on the market, and it’s also very eco-friendly. It’s a quick-growing crop and requires little intervention to grow and replenish, which means less land and water is used for cultivation.
Another great thing about jute is that it’s 100% biodegradable and carbon dioxide neutral. This is a huge plus for the environment, as it helps to reduce plastic pollution that causes detriment to marine life and ocean ecosystems. In addition, jute is an excellent source of vitamin C which can help the immune system to fight off colds and viruses. This nutrient can also prevent lung infections and pneumonia. Jute leaves are also rich in magnesium which can improve breathing conditions like asthma. This mineral is essential for normalizing breathing, helping to eliminate breathlessness and wheezing.