Why Organic?
So, you may have a few questions about why organic? or why environmental clothing, or why clothes at all...Here we attempt to answer a few of your questions. If there is something else you want to know about but dont find it here, just shoot us a line at info@manicorganicshop.com
Why organic clothing?
Clothing today, particularly cotton clothing, is really harmful to the environment to produce. Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed plants on the market today - roughly 50% of pesticides used today are sprayed on cotton. Those chemicals eventually get into the soil and groundwater. Yuck. Instead, organic clothing attempts to eliminate those harmful chemicals from the production process.
Organic clothing is an alternative for people living with skin sensitivities and those who can't wear traditional dyed clothing. But, its more than just spending more to buy organic, its about thinking about the bigger picture. Buying organic means that you dont support mass-produced clothing that harms people and the environment. It means you support communities earning fair wages for a days work. It means you support clean rivers that people can swim in and get their sustenance from. It means that you are conscious about what you buy and only buy what you need. And it means you want to look good and feel good too. For more information, check out the Organic Trade Association at www.ota.com
Why bamboo?
Bamboo pulp fiber is naturally antibacterial and has a very soft feel to it. It also breathes to keep your body temperature better regulated and evaporates moisture quickly. Bamboo, when grown, grows very quickly without the aid of pesticides or fertilizers; some bamboo can grow up to a foot an hour and in 3 months can reach maturity. This means you can get more product out of a smaller field, instead of having to cut down huge swaths of land for slower growing plants.
Why hemp?
Hemp, besides the usual connotations, is a very hearty plant that has many great qualitites, particularly when used for clothing. Industrial hemp, the kind with minute amounts of THC, grows very fast and requires no pesticides or herbicides, and its four times as strong as cotton. It is used in food, clothing, paper, cement, and biofuel, among other uses. It has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which means it keeps odors and moisture to a minimum.
Why Sweatshop-free?
Each of the clothing companies chosen by Manic Organic has committted to protecting workers that are all involved in the manufacturing and production of the clothing. Workers are given a healthy working environment, there is no child-labor involved and workers are paid a fair wage for an 8 hour day. Manic Organic thinks this is great; why sell clothing that is good for the environment if it isn't good for people as well.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade means establishing a relationship with farmers, businesses and consumers whereby farmers are paid a fair price for their produce based on the International Fair Trade Labeling Organization certifications. Farmers are paid a wage that is high enough to produce their goods as well as make a small profit. For crafts, an artisan is paid a living wage based on local wages. For more information check out: Coop America - Fair Trade: What To Know.
What is a low-impact dye?
A low-impact dye has far less runoff than traditional clothing dyes; 5% runoff instead of 50-60% runoff. This means fewer chemicals in your water, on the land, and in your food.
How do I clean my organic clothing?
Organic clothes can be washed and cleaned just like any others. We recommend washing your clothes in cold water and, ideally, hanging them out to dry or using the tumble dry low setting on your washing machine. Please do not dry clean your clothing.
Why organic clothing?
Clothing today, particularly cotton clothing, is really harmful to the environment to produce. Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed plants on the market today - roughly 50% of pesticides used today are sprayed on cotton. Those chemicals eventually get into the soil and groundwater. Yuck. Instead, organic clothing attempts to eliminate those harmful chemicals from the production process.
Organic clothing is an alternative for people living with skin sensitivities and those who can't wear traditional dyed clothing. But, its more than just spending more to buy organic, its about thinking about the bigger picture. Buying organic means that you dont support mass-produced clothing that harms people and the environment. It means you support communities earning fair wages for a days work. It means you support clean rivers that people can swim in and get their sustenance from. It means that you are conscious about what you buy and only buy what you need. And it means you want to look good and feel good too. For more information, check out the Organic Trade Association at www.ota.com
Why bamboo?
Bamboo pulp fiber is naturally antibacterial and has a very soft feel to it. It also breathes to keep your body temperature better regulated and evaporates moisture quickly. Bamboo, when grown, grows very quickly without the aid of pesticides or fertilizers; some bamboo can grow up to a foot an hour and in 3 months can reach maturity. This means you can get more product out of a smaller field, instead of having to cut down huge swaths of land for slower growing plants.
Why hemp?
Hemp, besides the usual connotations, is a very hearty plant that has many great qualitites, particularly when used for clothing. Industrial hemp, the kind with minute amounts of THC, grows very fast and requires no pesticides or herbicides, and its four times as strong as cotton. It is used in food, clothing, paper, cement, and biofuel, among other uses. It has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, which means it keeps odors and moisture to a minimum.
Why Sweatshop-free?
Each of the clothing companies chosen by Manic Organic has committted to protecting workers that are all involved in the manufacturing and production of the clothing. Workers are given a healthy working environment, there is no child-labor involved and workers are paid a fair wage for an 8 hour day. Manic Organic thinks this is great; why sell clothing that is good for the environment if it isn't good for people as well.
What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade means establishing a relationship with farmers, businesses and consumers whereby farmers are paid a fair price for their produce based on the International Fair Trade Labeling Organization certifications. Farmers are paid a wage that is high enough to produce their goods as well as make a small profit. For crafts, an artisan is paid a living wage based on local wages. For more information check out: Coop America - Fair Trade: What To Know.
What is a low-impact dye?
A low-impact dye has far less runoff than traditional clothing dyes; 5% runoff instead of 50-60% runoff. This means fewer chemicals in your water, on the land, and in your food.
How do I clean my organic clothing?
Organic clothes can be washed and cleaned just like any others. We recommend washing your clothes in cold water and, ideally, hanging them out to dry or using the tumble dry low setting on your washing machine. Please do not dry clean your clothing.
