Frequently Asked Questions

What is organic?
The word 'organic' is used to describe fibers (like cotton) or food crops that are grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic farms replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, and encourage biologically diverse agriculture.

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Is organic cotton suitable for my newborn?
Yes. Organic cotton clothing is best for babies. A baby's skin is five times thinner than an adult's skin - this means that they can absorb chemicals much more easily. Being softer too, it's a great choice for delicate skin. Learn more from our five reasons to wear organic.

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Is organic softer?
Yes. Many people agree that organic cotton is much softer than conventional cotton. Try it out for yourself! Do a blind test to compare conventional and organic cotton. Many people say that the "chemical" feeling is not there with organic clothing.

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I eat organic, but why should my baby wear it?
Check out our five reasons to wear organic.

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Why does organic cost more?
It's true that organic goods usually cost about 30% more to buy than conventional products. That's because organic farmers are driven by quality and ethics rather than speed and quantity. Crop yields are often slightly lower than on conventional farms, harvesting is usually done by hand, and crop rotation is practiced in line with organic certification. As it is initially difficult (practically and economically) to switch to organic methods, there are far fewer organic farms than conventional ones. It makes finding organic produce all the more difficult.

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What are pesticides and artificial fertilizers?
Pests are found on all farms and pesticides are simply chemicals used to kill pests on farms. Different forms of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers make plants and crops grow quickly.

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What's wrong with using pesticides and artificial fertilizers?
Pesticides and artificial fertilizers damage healthy soil, which is needed to grow natural plants and crops and has a very delicate natural balance. They also cause air, water and food pollution and have been associated with health problems from asthma to cancer. Some highly toxic pesticides that have been officially banned are still being used in some developing countries.

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Do farmers use pesticides to grow cotton?
Yes. Cotton is the most chemically-sprayed crop in the world. Over 25% of the world's insecticides and 12% of all pesticides are used to grow cotton.

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How do organic farmers grow crops and plants without these chemicals?
Organic farmers work with nature to control pests and grow healthy crops. They use crop rotation, which means that they vary what they grow on their farms. Most farmers work more than one field, so one year it could be cotton and cereal the next. This helps to keep the soil's vital minerals and nutrients very healthy. To keep pests at bay, organic farmers encourage natural predators. Species of birds, bees and ladybirds are encouraged to move in and help keep pests under control naturally. Planting certain plants and flowers like chilli and marigold around the field edges helps attract them. Organic farms have 44% more birds in fields and more than five times as many wild plants.

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How do I know if something is organic?
Some clothing or food may well be labeled as organic, but the safest way to tell if something is genuinely organic is to make sure it's certified. International organic certification organizations make sure suppliers comply to very strict regulations and standard. Here are the main certifying bodies to look out for: SKAL (Control Union World Group), Soil Association (UK), USDA organic (USA), Ecocert International (Europe), JOCA (Japan), KRAV (Sweden), NASAA (Australia), BIO-GRO (New Zealand) and COCC (Canada).

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