What’s Organic Cotton and Why Does It Matter for My T-Shirts?

Do you really know what “organic cotton” is, or how it’s different from conventional cotton? When you’re deciding which t-shirt to buy, you might be on the fence about whether to choose a 100% organic cotton t-shirt or a traditional cotton tee. There’s definitely a difference between the two that you should understand! We’ve got the answers to the most common questions we hear about organic cotton for you, from how it’s grown and produced, to how to care for organic cotton t-shirts.

The biggest difference between organic cotton and conventional is how farmers grow and produce the crop. Farmers grow organic cotton in a way that minimizes harmful environmental impacts, including how they water the cotton and whether they use fertilizers and pesticides. 

For example, let’s start with water usage. Cotton is either grown in dryland (relying solely on rainfall) or irrigated (pulling from underground water sources). Extensive irrigation can deplete groundwater and can cause salt to build up in freshwater sources. About 70% to 80% of the organic cotton is rain-fed, so it uses way less water from natural ecosystems. Conventional irrigated cotton uses 1,320 gallons of water for just one pound of the crop. It’s estimated that organic cotton crops use up to 91% less water than conventional cotton. 

Here are a few other differences between organic and non-organic cotton, which uses 62% less energy and produces 46% less greenhouse gas than traditional cotton crops:

1. Soil rotation: Usually, organic cotton grows in different soils, as farmers rotate their location from season to season. That keeps the crop and soil healthy, which allows it to grow without needing as much water. Since organic cotton is considered a rotational crop, farmers can grow other food crops, increasing food security, their income and biodiversity.

2. Seeds and pesticides: No genetically modified seeds or pesticides are used in organic cotton to grow or combat pests. A non-organic cotton plant does yield more fibers than its organic counterpart since it uses GMOs. Organic cotton farmers don’t use any GMO seeds, human-made fertilizers or synthetic pesticides (which release nitrogen into the air), and instead rely on insects to battle pests. (By not using toxic fertilizers or pesticides, the soil better absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. Plus, not using toxic pesticides reduces water pollution by up to 98%.)

3. Hand-picked cotton: Organic farmers hand-pick cotton, better protecting the cotton fibers. On the other hand, many conventional cotton crops get harvested by machinery, which uses more energy overall.

Many consumers or businesses that care about their carbon footprint want to use products made in sustainable ways from environmentally friendly pr natural materials. That’s why understanding the difference between organic cotton and conventional can show why a 100% organic cotton shirt may be a better choice if you have a focus on the environment and reducing your carbon footprint.

Yes, organic cotton is more expensive to grow and produce than regular cotton. Since organic cotton doesn't use chemicals, pesticides or machines during production, the process costs more. Organic cotton crops yield less pounds per acre than conventional cotton grown with GMO seeds, making it more limited and costlier. People consider organic cotton products to be more high-end, so there’s also a greater and increasing demand for premium cotton apparel. However, an increasing percentage of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products from sustainable brands.

Organic cotton is usually softer and plusher than regular cotton because it has longer fibers. Plus, since organic cotton is usually 100% harvested by hand the fibers aren’t damaged by machinery. Conventional cotton fabrics may be less durable and soft, because they’re processed by machines. This can cause the plant fibers to break or fray. However, many organic cotton and regular cotton shirts feel soft to the touch and last the test of time.

We get it: You want to make the right decision about purchasing an organic cotton t-shirt vs. one made of conventional cotton. Here are three things to consider:

Kind to skin: While all cotton is labeled as “hypoallergenic” for more sensitive skin, organic cotton might be a safer bet. Conventional cotton uses up to 25% more dangerous pesticides and herbicides than any other crop. Some wearers develop skin allergies, like rashes or hives, from the chemicals used in non-organic cotton farming and production. That’s why organic cotton might be the best choice if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

Softness: Organic cotton fibers are longer, softer and more durable than conventional cotton, since it goes through less processing and chemicals that weaken fibers. You may find that your organic cotton t-shirts feel better on your skin and last longer.

Dyes and Bleach: T-shirt manufacturers may choose to use safer, low-impact dyes, free of finishing chemicals in organic cotton garments. Conventional cotton tees might be bleached to get that bright white hue. Organic cotton tees are often bleach-free, as the manufacturing process uses safer alternatives to chemical dyes and whiteners, like water-based dyes or peroxide.

It’s important to note that your new 100% organic cotton t-shirt might shrink up to 3% with washing since it’s most likely not chemically treated. Here are some suggestions to give your t-shirt some TLC, so it lasts for the long haul:

• Wash your t-shirt in cold water with a mild or normal detergent.
• Turn your organic cotton t-shirt inside out and wash it with similar colors.
• It’s a better idea to air-dry your t-shirt, and to reshape it while it’s damp. If you prefer to use the dryer, tumble dry your t-shirt on low heat.
• Iron your t-shirt at a medium temperature, if needed.

Threadsy is a great online destination for buying high-quality cotton t-shirts at wholesale prices. If you’ve been shopping for blank t-shirts from a big box retailer, it’s time to stop. Threadsy offers generous discounts for customers who purchase cotton t-shirts in larger quantities. Our bulk discount program starts at $110, and the savings of up to 15% automatically appear in your cart when you bundle your items. You’ll also enjoy free shipping on orders $50 or higher, with always-fast delivery, a huge help especially around the holidays.

Plus, unlike other retailers that tack on fees for everything from orders that don’t meet a certain purchase threshold, to packing your order to processing returns, Threadsy doesn’t do that. There’s no minimum order, returns are free for 30 days, and we’ll never charge you extra money to pack your order. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping for cotton t-shirts and saving today.