Organic Clothing Question

[bellydancersnightc]

I don't know where to post this so sorry if I'm in the wrong place!

Ok, this might be a dumb question but I'm having trouble finding info on it and have to ask. We eat, clean, live etc. using organic and natural products but the one area that we do not and cannot yet afford is organic clothing. My question is this: I know there are all kinds of chemicals in mainstream clothing but after you wash them don't they wash out?

[Ruthla]

I think some chemicals take lots of washings before they completely wash out- and then of course they're polluting the water that they were washed with, and there are environmental concerns with non-organic cotton production, saftey issues with the farm workers, etc.

IMO, organic clothing is much more about these global issues and much less about personal risk the way organic foods are. I can't afford to buy organic clothes either. I generally purchase second-hand clothes rather than brand new clothes for a number of reasons, both economic and environmental. Plus, if something needs 50 washes before a chemical washes out, buying 2nd hand might be safer (unless the prior owners smoked or something- I still wash anything I don't buy new.)

[bellydancersnightc]

Thanks for the info I too buy a lot of second hand. It was great in Germany because all of the clothes were different and in such good condition & now in Atlanta where there are so many choices it would be a shame not to buy 2nd hand. If I can ever afford it I will certainly buy organic clothing and help support it in that way

[chrissy18966]

great question. I often wonder this too. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone has to think. I also would like to know if the flame retardants on clothing comes off after a certain amt of washing. I read somewhere that if you wash it with Dawn you might be able to get it off. I would like that for my clothes. Does anyone know if that is true?

Great idea about buying 2nds b/c they have most likely already off gassed (hope that's the right term).

[Vancouver Mommy]

I believe that every t-shirt requires a pound of pesticide in traditional cotton farming. So the benefit of organic clothing to the environment is huge. But I don't really know how much of the chemical stays on the garment and how much is washed out.

[Ruthla]

Certainly, if you're taking baby steps towards greener/healthier living, organic foods come before organic clothing/sheets/towels/etc. Most items I purchase 2nd hand except underwear. I wouldn't mind paying twice as much for cotton undies if Hanes started selling organic panties for $15/3-pack rather than $7/ 3-pack, but I'm not about to spend $20 on a single pair of panties, no matter how well made it is! I don't stay the same size long enough to justify that kind of expense, and underwear is one item I can't easily pass along to somebody else when it's too big on me but still in great shape.

[Sustainer]

I've read that the following procedure will remove some, BUT NOT ALL, of the chemicals from non-organic clothing:

Step 1Wash with 1/4 Cup Baking Soda added to detergent

Step 2Repeat

Step 3Wash with detergent and 1/2 Cup Vinegar

Step 4Wash with 1/2 Cup Borax, 1/2 Cup White Vinegar, and BioKleen Laundry Powder



Because of the health risks of chemicals, I only buy organic cotton.

[Martinalix]

Organic cotton for example is grown/processed/made without chemicals.