Organic underwear is usually derived from organic cotton. Some types of natural underwear are also made out of organic bamboo. Manufacturers of eco-friendly underwear claim that using these products is better for the environment. This claim is debatable, although organic underwear is usually softer than non-organic counterparts. The downside is that purchasing green products like organic underwear tends to be much more expensive than regular underwear.
There are different types of underwear in the eco-friendly market. Organic cotton is the leading material source, followed by bamboo and hemp. All of these plants are grown organically, meaning that chemicals and pesticides are not used during production. Also absent from organic underwear are chemical bleaches and dyes that are often used to add color to traditional underwear.
The absence of chemicals in clothing like underwear is purportedly just as beneficial as avoiding them in foods. Many consumers opt for organic foods in an effort to decrease the amount of chemicals in their bodies. At the same time, some of these shoppers fail to limit the amount of chemical-based products placed against their bodies, including clothing. Eco-friendly clothing producers often claim that traditional types of underwear can be harmful to the body in the long-run, since they are laden with chemical dyes.
Reducing the amount of traditional underwear purchases decreases the demand for them on the market. In turn, there are less chemicals being used in the clothing industry. It is thought that reduced amounts of herbicides and pesticides are used to treat cotton, bamboo, and hemp if there is a decreased demand for traditional underwear. As a result, there may be fewer chemicals released into the environment.
Organic materials are often claimed to be softer than inorganic materials. Not only do organic clothing shoppers make an impact on the environment, but they might actually prefer organic underwear over the chemically-treated versions. Chemical dyes to make certain colors in underwear can actually take away the softness of the fabric.
There are many benefits to choosing organic underwear, but there are a few downsides as well. The primary complaint that consumers have is over the cost of these types of underwear. Just like organic foods, eco-friendly underwear is more expensive than other products that are not organic. This is due to the fact that the clothing is not mass-produced, requiring more labor and tools.
Some types of organic clothing can wear down easier after washing. This can be frustrating to consumers, as they might have to spend more money in the long-run on several replacements of underwear. Traditional underwear, if cared for properly, can last longer.
A few companies who manufacture organic underwear might mislead consumers. Some products are labeled as organic, when, in fact, only a portion of the product is derived from organic materials. Materials, such as cotton, might be grown organically, but then treated with chemical dyes. Such a product may still be labeled as organic. For shoppers who want truly organic clothing, it is important to do research on the company and to read labels carefully.