{"id":3646,"date":"2021-01-31T11:14:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-31T11:14:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sincerelysustainable.com\/?p=3646"},"modified":"2021-10-04T18:55:40","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T18:55:40","slug":"cotton-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainableleap.com\/cotton-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Cotton Alternatives \u2014 Top 5 Substitutes to Cotton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cotton has always been the personal preference of the people, especially those who hold dear the environment. You can see top IG models, namely Kendall and Gigi rocking those fashionable, durable, and earth-friendly cotton outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big-name brands like Outerknown are renowned for their cozy and durable clothing that is constructed of 100% cotton. If nature has been a treasure to you, you can\u2019t miss out on the most sought-after clothing made from the subsequent in-demand cotton substitutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s comfortable, lightweight, non-toxic, ideal for all seasons\u2014be it winter or summer (keeps you warm inside when it\u2019s cold outside and vice-versa), and most importantly it doesn\u2019t cause any allergic reaction to your skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In spite of offering numerous benefits, some competitive fiber brands try to make it look like it is not as appealing as their own fibers are, however, the reality is not the same. Cotton is seen to have drought- and heat-tolerant plants, which really is a lifesaver when it\u2019s too hot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping the plusses that cotton brings to the table aside, there are things that we cannot overlook\u2014the huge land that it covers (the place where it\u2019s grown) and the amount of water needed to produce it. Yes, you\u2019d wonder to know that cotton alone requires 10,000 liters of water for 1 kilogram of cotton produced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If becomes even crazier if the fabric in use is the cotton produced using conventional ways. Now, this is where most people come unglued\u2014there are majorly two types of cotton that exist today: organic cotton and non-organic cotton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The former one can be a good choice to consider, however, we strongly detest the use of clothing or accessories that have been made using non-organic cotton because it requires a heavy amount of fertilizers and pesticides which deteriorates the soil in the long term\u2014something you wouldn\u2019t want for the healthy crops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Consider Cotton Alternatives?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While by using 100% organic cotton, not only can we achieve longevity in the fabric we opt for but also it is good for the skin and also makes the soil viable\u2014i.e. it doesn\u2019t have any negative impact on the place where it is grown. However, non-organic cotton does the opposite\u2014it\u2019s bad for the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s shocking but true\u201416% of the world\u2019s insecticides are used during producing non-organic cotton which is more catastrophic than you could imagine. It is poisoning for the \u2018mother nature\u2019 and the people living in it. The consequences of conventional cotton farming don\u2019t end there\u2014it also requires high energy and water, which later becomes a cause for global warming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, this is what happens on the farm<\/em>, but there\u2019s more that is going on at the factory and on your skin. To make tons of non-organic cotton, workers might be forced to work day and night because there is no ethical practice followed by the fast-fashion brands. Plus, it also involves the use of dyes that are likely to contain toxic materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since non-organic-based clothes are not recyclable, once people are done with them, these garments find their way into the landfills or oceans, affecting the lives of land-living animals, water creatures, and human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It gets even worse when the apparel made out of non-organic or conventional cotton is worn. It has been seen that toxic dyes can get into the skin. This could result in respiratory problems. It can even cause allergies and rashes. The babies are most vulnerable in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cotton Alternatives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you\u2019ve seen how appalling non-organic cotton. While organic cotton is arguably used most by the apparel brands, it may not be as silky as some other fabrics are, viz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although on a small scale, organic cotton has turned out to be very promising, it still can be responsible for greenhouse gas emission if produced on a large scale, says this report<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since there\u2019s a lot at stake, avoiding conventional cotton is the best way to look forward to a sustainable living. We, therefore, have rounded up some of the best eco-friendly fabrics that can be used in preference to cotton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These cotton alternatives are strong, durable, silky, cozy, non-toxic, and require little to no water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We strongly believe that these are going to be your favorite as we shed light on their characteristics and how they are super helpful in maintaining a perfect balance on this planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let\u2019s jump right into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Organic Hemp<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Organic <\/picture><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Not just the regular hemp but we\u2019re talking about the \u2018Organic\u2019 one. Organic hemp is considered to be one of the best ecological lifelike fabrics out there. Apart from the fact it is high-yielding, it can be produced without requiring too much water just like conventional cotton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What sets hemp apart from other materials is that it is CO2 absorbent<\/strong>\u2014a carbon-negative fabric. In other words, it can absorb that highly wild gas i.e. carbon from the environment. So, we can say that it is doing the work of trees for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being antimicrobic and sun-protective fabric, it clearly brings a win-win situation to life for all human beings and other water and land-living creatures. Perhaps, that\u2019s also the reason why it (hemp) is very hard to grow and, therefore, tends to be a little expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among other fascinating factors, hemp is also known for its unmatched durability and strength. When it comes to the area, it can grow in considerably less land as compared to cotton without having to require more water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fabric that has no impact on the environment is \u2018Hemp\u2019 that can be put to good use\u2014to produce fabrics (materials) that can be biodegraded<\/strong> easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the U.S. and Australia have now removed their bans on this plant, the problem has not gone for good\u2014Hemp is still not useable in many counties\u2014many countries haven\u2019t provided a clearance to use it. Yes, it\u2019s the same plant that is also known as cannabis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you thought that these plants are different, for your information, they are not<\/a>. In spite of controversies, hemp can be used to produce different kinds of products, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n