About the Materials
ORGANIC COTTON:
Conventional, non-organic cotton uses lots of toxic chemicals and uses GMO seeds. This crop uses more insecticides than any other single major crop. It takes only 2.5% of the world's cultivated land, but uses 16% of all insecticides worldwide. It also uses 6.8% of the world's herbicides.
Certified organic cotton must:
Most of my underwear is made of either organic cotton or a mix of organic cotton and hemp or lyocell (all with a little spandex for stretch).
Conventional, non-organic cotton uses lots of toxic chemicals and uses GMO seeds. This crop uses more insecticides than any other single major crop. It takes only 2.5% of the world's cultivated land, but uses 16% of all insecticides worldwide. It also uses 6.8% of the world's herbicides.
Certified organic cotton must:
- Be grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers.
- Use non genetically modified seeds
- Use natural fertilizers like compost and manure.
Most of my underwear is made of either organic cotton or a mix of organic cotton and hemp or lyocell (all with a little spandex for stretch).
HEMP:
Hemp is a bast fibre made from the inner bark of high growing cannabis sativa plant stems.
The plant is also grown for its nutritional seed and oil, and the fibre is used to make paper, fabric and rope. Other varieties of cannabis are used for recreational use, spiritual work, as well as potent natural medicine.
Hemp is a very durable, UV resistant, mildew resistant, insulating, absorbent, and breathable fibre. It gets softer with washing.
As a crop, even when not certified organic, hemp is considered an eco-friendly fabric because:
All of the hemp I use in my lingerie is blended with organic cotton and spandex.
Hemp is a bast fibre made from the inner bark of high growing cannabis sativa plant stems.
The plant is also grown for its nutritional seed and oil, and the fibre is used to make paper, fabric and rope. Other varieties of cannabis are used for recreational use, spiritual work, as well as potent natural medicine.
Hemp is a very durable, UV resistant, mildew resistant, insulating, absorbent, and breathable fibre. It gets softer with washing.
As a crop, even when not certified organic, hemp is considered an eco-friendly fabric because:
- It is 100% biodegradable (though the fabrics I use are not, because of the inclusion of spandex)
- The plants grow tall and very densely, which makes it difficult for weeds to grow, therefore there’s no need for herbicides in its production.
- It requires no pesticides or fungicides.
- Its durability increases the lifespan of the product.
- It requires less water than cotton, with a higher yield.
- It removes impurities from the ground, therefore helps clean up pollution, and leaves the soil healthier than before. It is a useful tool in crop rotation, because it also feeds the soil with nitrogen and it increases the topsoil.
All of the hemp I use in my lingerie is blended with organic cotton and spandex.
LYOCELL:
Lyocell is an eco-friendly processed cellulosic fiber. It is made from wood pulp, which is then chemically processed into fabric. It's similar to rayon or viscose, but lyocell is more eco-friendly because it is made using a closed loop process where the solvents and emissions used get recovered or decomposed. Lyocell is breathable, moisture wicking, and very soft, making it a great option for undergarments.
The lyocell/organic cotton/spandex fabrics I use are incredibly soft and flexible. They are the stretchiest of my fabric options.
Lyocell is biodegradable, but because of the spandex, my fabrics are not fully biodegradable.
Lyocell is an eco-friendly processed cellulosic fiber. It is made from wood pulp, which is then chemically processed into fabric. It's similar to rayon or viscose, but lyocell is more eco-friendly because it is made using a closed loop process where the solvents and emissions used get recovered or decomposed. Lyocell is breathable, moisture wicking, and very soft, making it a great option for undergarments.
The lyocell/organic cotton/spandex fabrics I use are incredibly soft and flexible. They are the stretchiest of my fabric options.
Lyocell is biodegradable, but because of the spandex, my fabrics are not fully biodegradable.
SPANDEX:
Spandex, (aka Lycra or elastane) is a synthetic material. All fabrics I use contain a small percentage (3%-10%) of spandex for comfort and elasticity. The stretch is especially important in making underwear and clothing that moves with you, and hugs your body comfortably.
Spandex, (aka Lycra or elastane) is a synthetic material. All fabrics I use contain a small percentage (3%-10%) of spandex for comfort and elasticity. The stretch is especially important in making underwear and clothing that moves with you, and hugs your body comfortably.
SOURCES:
http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
http://www.organiccotton.org/oc/Cotton-general/Impact-of-cotton/Risk-of-cotton-farming.php
http://1st-ecofriendlyplanet.com/tag/environmental-benefits-of-hemp/
http://hempbasics.com/shop/hemp-information
http://greenopedia.com/article/why-hemp-so-important
http://www.telio.com/pdf/Organic.pdf
http://bastfibersllc.com/whatarebastfibers.html
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/what-is-lyocell/#item%201
https://www.simplififabric.com/pages/lyocell
http://www.ota.com/organic/environment/cotton_environment.html
http://www.organiccotton.org/oc/Cotton-general/Impact-of-cotton/Risk-of-cotton-farming.php
http://1st-ecofriendlyplanet.com/tag/environmental-benefits-of-hemp/
http://hempbasics.com/shop/hemp-information
http://greenopedia.com/article/why-hemp-so-important
http://www.telio.com/pdf/Organic.pdf
http://bastfibersllc.com/whatarebastfibers.html
https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-fashion/what-is-lyocell/#item%201
https://www.simplififabric.com/pages/lyocell
