Why is GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton Better?

The other day my daughter asked me: “Mommy, why can’t I see my eyes?” 👀 If you have kids, you know they love to ask A LOT of questions. And, if we’re being honest, a lot of them leave us . . . wondering. 

At Fig, we are all about doing our homework. And one of the biggest questions parents have when they discover Fig is “Why IS organic cotton better?” And also “Does GOTS actually matter?” (by the way, “what is GOTS?”). You’re asking great questions. Let’s dive in.

Most people know about the benefits of choosing organic food or skincare products, but when it comes to textiles (aka clothes), things get much murkier. In part, the textile industry likes it that way. The cycle of fast fashion, made possible by paying unlivable wages and using cheap, harmful fabrics that pollute the earth is super troubling. It’s also super profitable. Here’s what most mass market fashion brands don’t want you to know, and why we think GOTS-certified organic cotton is worth the investment:

Toxic Chemicals in Clothing

More disturbing than a scary bedtime story is what may be lurking in your child's clothing. This is the stuff that real monsters are made of – we’re talking azo dyes (synthetic dyes that are known carcinogens and allergens), formaldehyde (used as a finishing agent in the dying process and to make cotton wrinkle resistant), and endocrine-disrupting chemicals like PFAs (chemicals that mimic the body’s hormones and are used to make clothes stain and sweat resistant). Recent studies have linked these toxins to cancer, fertility issues, immune suppression, diabetes, obesity and ADHD. Holy Moly! 

But isn’t this stuff banned? Sadly, in the U.S., no. And little developing bodies are especially vulnerable to these chemicals. This sounds scary (and it is), but we don’t want ANY parents to lose sleep over this. By purchasing clothing made with 100% GOTS certified cotton, you can avoid worrying about these chemicals touching your precious little ones’ largest organ: their skin. 

GOTS Organic Cotton - What It Stands For

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world's leading textile processing authority for organic fibers. GOTS cotton – farmed and milled just the way nature intended it – is a better, natural, non-toxic alternative that is safer to wear and safer to manufacture. Mandated to be free from harmful chemicals at both the agricultural and manufacturing levels, GOTS ensures that toxic chemicals common in conventional clothing (like those azo dyes, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and PFAs) aren’t involved in any step of the process. 

This traceability that starts at the farm ensures not only a safer end-product for consumers, but also a healthier experience for the farmers and working communities who handle these items. The GOTS certification is the only way to have complete certainty that what you are buying truly is ethically made and non-toxic, which is important since we all know just because it looks like an organic duck and quacks like an organic duck . . . it might not be an honest duck (hello, greenwashing!). That’s right: organic cotton is sadly an unregulated term, but that’s a blog post for another day... 

A few quick FIG FACTS about GOTS-certified organic cotton:

• Skin Friendly. Babies and children have thinner, more fragile skin than adults. The outer layer of their skin (the epidermis) is about 20-30% thinner compared with adults. As a result, kids are at risk for increased absorption of agents that can be absorbed through skin, which is our body’s largest organ. GOTS Certified organic cotton is gentle on delicate skin and free of harsh chemicals. 
• Hypoallergenic. Kids’ skin is more easily irritated because their immune systems aren’t fully developed and because their skin is thinner. GOTS Certified organic cotton is hypoallergenic and gives fabric a quality feel that reduces the risk of your child developing skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
• More Absorbent. Cotton is generally more absorbent than processed synthetic materials, because it is a natural fiber. Thinner skin is more prone to moisture loss which is why a more breathable choice like GOTS certified organic cotton is a better alternative to regular cotton.
• Softer Feel. There are no harsh chemicals used in the manufacturing process of GOTS Certified organic cotton and this results in a softer and more comfortable cotton compared to fabrics that are made less supple by chemicals.
• More Durable. GOTS Certified organic cotton is a higher quality product and likely to last you longer than your standard cotton if cared for properly. The organically grown natural fibers of GOTS Certified organic cotton are not weakened during production by chemicals unlike other materials and get softer and don’t lose their shape over time.
• Sustainable. Experts agree that GOTS Certified organic cotton has a lower carbon footprint, uses less fuel, water and energy to produce and promotes a sustainable supply chain. Beyond the strict chemical restrictions, GOTS also requires environmental management plans and wastewater treatment. Added bonus: our fabrics are also 100% biodegradable!

At Fig, we like to bring out the big guns when it comes to our certifications and we are committed to working exclusively with GOTS certified cotton from farm to Fig. 

With GOTS, we know that every step of the process is monitored to ensure the utmost safety for humans and the environment. There’s no way around the fact that choosing better does cost a little more. We choose GOTS because it is the highest standard in the world, and it helps us keep our promise to deliver better basics for a brighter future. Because we know there’s a lot of parents like you out there who want that, too.