When you seek comfort from a bathrobe, you can certainly expect to get it. Whether they’re made from organic cotton or regular combed cotton, bathrobes stand as the epitome of coziness and style. However, just as different elements such as design and length can differentiate each bathrobe from one another, so can the type of cotton used to manufacture them.
You may be thinking that the term “organic” solely reaps benefits with products you find at an organic supermarket, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it can apply to your bathrobe, too. The following are some of the things that can help you decide whether you want an organic cotton bathrobe.
Origins of Organic Cotton
The farming process used to grow cotton crops is the basis for what makes organic cotton different than inorganic cotton. When growing an abundance of crops, farmers have always relied on using chemicals like pesticides to help accelerate the process. The use of toxic pesticides began in the US in the 1950s when farmers started using them to deter threats posed on their cotton crops.
Rather than using more natural pest control methods through extra labor and machinery, farmers preferred to use pesticides as a cheaper alternative to protect their crops. Seeing as how the cost of pesticides has been steadily increasing due to the high demand, organic famers have been saving money.
Contrarily, farmers that don’t use such chemicals grow organic cotton. They use more natural, nontoxic methods to protect their crops. Most organic farmers use the following to replace the use of pesticides:
- Crop Rotation – The regular switching of crop types to stop the growth of cotton-specific threats.
- Mixed Farming – A system of growing crops along with livestock to avoid intrusive crop-specific pests.
- Sustainable Environments – The introduction of favorable insects into crops requires creating secure areas for insects that like to feed off of cotton-specific pests.
In addition to the above, some farmers like to introduce certain bird species to their fields in order to eat harmful insects. Some even use “trap plants” to attract insects and keep them away from the crops.
During the organic farming process, using crop rotation actually builds stronger soil, and more water is retained due to the added organic matters in the soil. Therefore, less water is used during irrigation.
The seeds used to grow the cotton are untreated. Moreover, Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are not used at all during the farming process. Rather than using chemicals to remove weeds, they are physically removed. In conventional farming, harmful herbicides are applied to the soil to remove weeds.
An Array of Benefits
- Environmental Friendliness. Thanks to the natural methods used to farm organic cotton, it has a positive effect on both humans and animals alike. The millions of pounds of pesticides sprayed into the environment by conventional farmers on a yearly basis have detrimental effects on the atmosphere as a whole.
The farming of organic cotton encourages biodiversity since it prevents purposely and accidentally killing certain animal species. In the U.S. alone, pesticides have been found to kill over 60 million birds on a yearly basis. Organic cotton also promotes cleaner underground water, as it’s kept clear of contamination.
- Health Protection. Farmers, laborers, and people who live close by the fields in which conventional cotton is grown in, breathe in these toxic chemicals. Consumers who ultimately eat the byproducts take in the same toxins. Similarly, those who wear products made from regular cotton are exposed to the harmful chemicals that usually sit in the fibers of the clothing.
Since most of us prefer to go organic with our food to avoid the intake of harmful chemicals, the same can be done with avoiding those chemicals on our skin. The use of pesticides have been found to cause severe health issues including pregnancy miscarriages, cancer, and debilitated immune systems. Children are the most vulnerable when it comes to pesticide-related health risks.
- Hypoallergenic Qualities. If you have sensitive skin, getting an organic bathrobe is an excellent idea since it won’t cause any irritation or an allergic reaction when it touches the skin. Chemically grown and synthetic products generally contain allergens, so you should consider going for chemical-free organic cotton, instead.
- A Better Economy. Since small, family-owned farms usually cultivate organic cotton, we don’t have to take into consideration the hidden costs of conventionally grown cotton. The prices of regular cotton don’t properly depict the true amount they actually cost, since we’re paying billions of dollars in taxes on agricultural subsidies and pesticides.
Quality at Its Finest
Organic cotton is softer than regular cotton; meaning organic bathrobes are smoother. You can still feel the rich quality and texture you get from wearing a regular cotton bathrobe, but with an even plusher feel.
The threads that are used during the organic production process are not worn down or broken by harmful chemicals. So, the fact that they’re still intact makes for a smoother and more appealing surface. That’s why many people often go for organic bed sheets, too.
Furthermore, organic cotton is more absorbent. So, if you’re wearing your bathrobe around the beach, pool or after leaving your spa’s sauna, you can dry off a little quicker, thanks to the cotton’s absorbency level.
Special Care
Due to the different nature of organic bathrobes, different laundering practices are also required. It’s crucial to treat your organic bathrobe like a towel, and although most people don’t wash towels as often as they should, bathrobes should be washed frequently. This will help avoid the buildup of bacteria and mildew.
However, you should be careful not to overdo it with the washing since washes start to break down the cotton’s fibers. You should wash your organic cotton bathrobes with warm water (enough to get rid of any dirt or oils), instead of using hot water. It’s recommended you use non-chlorine bleach and even go for natural or organic detergents, even though they’re a little pricier.
To further prolong your organic bathrobe’s lifespan, it would be wise to hang dry it since high heat can also be a culprit in breaking down cotton fibers. Plus, in keeping with the organic mood you’ll be doing the environment another favor by lowering your carbon footprint.
Purchase the Best Organic Bathrobes
Boca Terry’s organic bathrobe lineup is made of 100% certified organic cotton and you can choose between velour and terry variations. Whether it’s for your personal use or for your spa, organic cotton bathrobes are ideal for keeping your health and environment safe without compromising your comfort or style.
Some of our favorite bathrobes include the Organic Shawl Collar, Organic Basic Kimono, and the Organic Lightweight Waffle. For more information on our selection of eco-friendly bathrobes, contact Boca Terry today.
