Organic Cotton

All cotton used in our ORGANIC MATTRESSES is CERTIFIED 100% ORGANIC, which is a naturally pliant, supple and strong fiber that is 100% SKAL CERTIFIED - All organically grown cotton fiber production is inspected by the Dutch Foundation, SKAL-owner of the prestigious EKO -quality symbol.

We use only organically grown cotton fibers for all our cotton products.

No harmful bleaches are used in the manufacturing process of our cottons.

Our organic cotton does not expose chemically sensitive consumers to allergens because there are no chemicals in them.

Organic cotton is used in the covers of our mattresses and foundations. Cotton is ideal for this purpose because the cotton fibers allow water vapor to easily pass through to the wool fill, thereby providing a fresh dry sleeping surface. The benefit is proven reduction in tossing and turning and less chance of mold, mildew or dust mites in the bedding that can cause sleep disturbances from allergens.

Cotton is known to be the most comfortable, softest, and warmest fiber used by man. Our milling processes ensure sustained comfort that you associate with cotton.

Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

How much Organic cotton Is Grown Globally?
In 2000-2001, international production was approximately 6,368 metric tons (slightly more than 14 million pounds, or 29,248 bales), grown in 12 countries, according to data from the Pesticide Action Network of the United Kingdom and from the Organic Trade Association (OTA). This represents about 0.03% of worldwide cotton production. Turkey and the United States were the leading producers of organic cotton, followed by India, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Israel, Greece, Benin and Brazil.

How Much Organic Cotton Is Grown In The US?
Based on OTA's 2005 survey of U.S. organic cotton producers funded by Cotton Incorporated, farmers in four states harvested 6,814 bales (3,270,720 pounds) of organic cotton from 5,550 acres during 2004. This is an increase from the 4,628 bales harvested from 4,060 acres in 2003. Texas continues to lead the United States in organic cotton production, with limited acreage also planted in California, New Mexico, and Missouri.

How Is The Apparel Industry Involved With Organic Cotton?
Apparel companies are developing programs that either use 100 percent organically grown cotton, or blend small percentages of organic cotton with conventional cotton in their products. There are a number of companies driving the expanded use of domestic and international organic cotton.

What Kinds Of Products Are Made Using Organic Cotton?
As a result of consumer interest, organic cotton fiber is used in everything from personal care items (sanitary products, make-up removal pads, cotton puffs and ear swabs), to home furnishings (towels, bathrobes, sheets, blankets, bedding [mattresses]), children's products (toys, diapers), clothes of all kinds and styles (whether for lounging, sports or the workplace), and even stationery and note cards.

In addition, organic cottonseed is used for animal feed, and organic cottonseed oil is used in a variety of food products, including cookies and chips.

How Fast Is the Organic Fiber Market Growing?
In 2003, organic fiber sales in the United States grew by 22.7 percent over the previous year, to reach $85 million, according to the OTA's 2004 Manufacturer Survey. Sales of organic women's clothing during that period grew by 33.6 percent, while organic infant's clothing and diaper sales grew 20.5 percent. Sales of organic men's clothing grew by 11 percent, and children's and teen's clothing sales grew by 15.8 percent. Meanwhile, sales of organic sheets and towels grew by 17.9 percent, and those for organic mattresses and pillows increased 8.3 percent.

Participants in the survey predicted that U.S. sales of organic fiber would grow an average of 15.5 percent each year for 2004 through 2008.

Cotton is often bleached (sometimes with sodium hypo-chlorite, the manufacture of which releases dioxin), and treated with dyes and color fixers (heavy metals such as chromium, copper, and zinc).

How The Environment Is Effected
Conventional cotton production relies on vast amounts of hazardous synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, fixers and dyes. For example, it can take up to 1/3 pound to make one t-shirt. Some other sobering statistics regarding cotton: Non-organic cotton accounts for up to 25% of the insecticides used worldwide, and seven of the top fifteen pesticides used on cotton are classified as at least possible human carcinogens. Additionally, billions of pounds of nitrogen synthetic fertilizers are also used, resulting in runoff that can create aquatic "dead zones" in waterways. In countries lacking good water systems, nitrate fertilizers can reach high enough levels in drinking water from wells to cause "blue baby syndrome" in infants.

Finally, due to cotton's natural resistance to dyes, roughly half the chemicals used as dyes or fixers end up as waste in rivers and soil.

Many of the chemicals used in cotton production as well as in bedding's manufacturing pose a significant health hazard to those who are in direct contact with farm workers and nearby communities.

Farm workers have the highest rate of chemically-related illnesses of any occupational group in the U.S. Nitrogen fertilizers can blind farm workers. Chemical runoff harms communities by polluting the waterways of those who live near or downriver from cotton farms. Synthetic fertilizers have been found to contaminate drinking wells in farm communities.

Poor forest management adversely impacts the workers and the communities in and around forest areas. Rampant chemical use, erosion and soil runoff, and the pollution of vital watersheds can be detrimental to worker, community livelihood and health.

Cotton: Organic Unfinished
Although favored for its natural appeal, cotton, when conventionally grown, is responsible for the use of nearly $2.6 billion worth of pesticides annually—more than any other crop, according to Pesticide Action Network North America. These include organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, potent nervous-system toxins, which sicken agricultural workers and contaminate the soil and ground water.

The chemical dyes used to color cotton fabric can contain toxic heavy metals, which further pollute water. A number of commonly used fabric finishes can also be unhealthy. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires that all children's sleepwear be either fire-retardant or snug-fitting, as a loose-fitting garment is more likely to catch fire.