How is organic cotton made?

Before starting the production of organic cotton it is necessary that no synthetic chemicals are used on the field for at least the past three years.

Organic cotton cultivation begins with healthy and chemical-free soil. Organic manure and natural fertilizers are used with frequent crop rotation methods to keep the soil healthy and productive. Hoes and other mechanical weeding equipment with crop rotations, intercropping, more efficient use of irrigation water, the use of mulches, different planting dates and densities of the crops should be done in order to control weeds. Also, neem oil can be used as a natural pesticide.

Cotton other than being integrally linked to the textile, it is also an essential source of food industry. Cotton crop is a 40% fiber and 60% seed by weight. Firstly the fibers and seeds are separated in the gin, then fibers are packed for textile mills, while the seed and other by-products are used for animal feed and human food, largely as cottonseed oil. Cottonseed being rich in protein and oil are used as a common ingredient in cookies, potato chips, salad dressings, and other processed foods.

After harvesting the organic cotton manufacturing process begins with cleaning the crop after which spinning, knitting or weaving, dyeing, cutting, assembly and finishing are carried out. While performing these manufacturing steps the manufacturers should not use petroleum scours, formaldehyde, anti-wrinkling agents, chlorine bleaches or other synthetic material.

While natural alternatives such as natural spinning oils are used for spinning. Potato starch as a natural alternative is used for sizing, for bleaching hydrogen peroxide is used, organic colour grown cotton or natural or low-impact dyes and earth clays are used to impart colour to the fabric with natural vegetable, mineral inks and binders being used for printing on organic cotton fabric.