ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

After the toxic 60's and 70's where fashion garments were synthetic andin the case of pyjamas, contained dangerous fire retardents, all seems well asgarments made from natural products abound...or is it?

Consumers have never had such choice of garments made from organic cottons and hemp. However, cost cutting is happening with manufacturerstrying to remain competitive in todays market due to price pressures.

Realistically, unless consumers grow, process and weave their own fibres, it is difficult to guarantee a pure organic wardrobe. Most eco labels focus on minimising pesticides used in their fibres. This is useful environmentally, but unless they also focus on chemicals applied during the dyeing and finishing stage, it is all for nothing and the consumer is misled into believing the item is pure organic.

Manufacturers aren't intentionally using Napalm or Plutonium in textiles according to industry experts. However, unless more government regulation is introduced, consumers are going to be continually hoodwinked by unscrupulous or lax manufacturers. Other issues to be considered (and banned by regulators) is the use of treatment of garments from China using anti-mould and fungal chemicals.

How do consumers protect themselves from purchasing chemical laced garments? For starters, purchasing from reputable companies and labels. Avoid dark dyes and bright colours. It is said that natural is best, and in the case of garments, source out certified organic fibre retailers that still have reasonable control over their supply lines and wear garments that are not dyed at all or even naturally coloured cotton.

It brings new meaning to the saying that 'wearing natural 'white' is the new green in the garment industry'.

Photo supplied by courtesy ofFrei Design www.freidesigns.com