Go Green with Eco Friendly Organic Clothing

Jenny Blake
Many of us are recycling, using less water, buying organic food, and using less fuel in order to protect the planet and lessen the impact we make n the environment. However, every day most of us get up in the morning and get dressed, not realizing the impact that clothing manufacturing has on the environment. How can one make better choices when choosing a wardrobe?

Begin by choosing clothing made from the right fabric. Natural fabrics are created by using minimal use of chemicals. The natural fabrics come from farms that are sustainable, and the plants that produce the fabrics conserve energy by using solar and wind power. In contrast, fabrics like nylon are made from petro chemicals. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas created by this process. Sulphuric acid and caustic soda are other chemicals that are used in the creation of synthetic fabrics.

There are many types of fabrics that are made from plants in sustainable farming. Organic cotton is probably the most common fabric. Grown without the use of pesticides and processed without chemicals, organic cotton has a soft natural feel and has a low impact on the environment. It takes almost a 1/3 pound of chemicals like chlorine to make one tee shirt!

Bamboo is becoming a very popular sustainable and natural fabric. Created from one of the fastest growing plants on earth, bamboo crops are abundant an easy to grow. Bamboo fabric has an ultra soft feel similar to cashmere. Bamboo clothing is easy to care for and will not retain odors because of its antibacterial properties. Bamboo fabric can be dyed multitudes of colors and works easily with many designs.

Hemp fabric has been in use for a very long time because it is easy to grow, needs very little water, and has a natural resistance to pests. The fabric from Hemp is lightweight and strong. Hemp is used not just for clothing, but for linens and laundry bags as well.

When purchasing eco friendly clothing, look to buy locally first. Check to see if any clothing shops in your area carry organic clothing or give you the option of ordering items from their catalogue. There are many online retailers such as Blue Canoe or Bamboo Eco Wear, that offer a wide selection in a variety of price ranges. Take the next step in helping the environment by choosing clothes made from eco friendly fabrics.

Published by Jenny Blake

Successful paralegal working for the good of the people. Writing about subjects I love from the law to craft projects.  View profile

2 Comments

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  • John P Cummings12/2/2009

    Cool article. It's eye opening to examine the environmental impact of all your activities, including what clothing to purchase. Thanks for the good info.

  • honeybeemel11/30/2009

    Excellent article as usual, Jenny. I bought an organic cotton chemise from Avon and have to say it is the softest, most comfortable article of clothing I own. I don't shop for clothes very often, but when I do, I'll be turning to organic fabrics as much as possible.

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