Say No To Cotton & Polyester
Each day people are using non organic materials from our normal attire to the sheets we ensemble our bedding with. From the different styles of apparel to the threads used in our garments, rarely there is thought about how it was made, but were you aware that your material choices are harmful to your health?
Corporeal Property:
The utmost known fibers that have been used for centuries dated back to the 9th century are organic fibers such as, cashmere, hemp, silk, linen and wool.
In this day in age, rarely you will find organic made merchandise or clothing. Moreover you will see that most the materials that are used are made of acrylic, acetate, nylon, polyester and rayon. In today’s society a secret ingredient is being applied by clothiers, which a resin like substance is being used to lock in the fibers by making it stain free or wrinkle resistant. Materials like cotton are made out of cellulose-based fibers, and they tend to bond together at the molecular level which are also called cross-linked hydrogen bonds. If material is folded or creased by sitting on it the hydrogen bonds force the fabric back to its shape, with out any wrinkles.
Inorganic Compounds:
Harmful chemicals have been put in natural and synthetic materials. These materials are exposed to your fabric from harmful dyes and non organic substances, which are heedlessly affecting your health and our planet.
Most fabrics along with natural fibers are being processed using toxic components like these listed below:
- Detergents
- Petrochemical dyes
- Formaldehyde
- Volatile organic compounds also known as “VOCs”
- Dioxin
- Fabric softeners
- Bleach / dyes
These additives can harm the human body and cause symptoms such as rashes, hives, or itchy raises bumps on an area of skin. These additives may contain heavy metals and can pollute our environment as well as contributing to unknown allergies. Try to stay away from chemical dry cleaning and wash your clothes in an organic detergent.
Fabrics to avoid, and the purist fabrics to pick from.
Non Organic Harmful Materials:
Other names: Acetate, Triacetate and synthetic materials.
Stay away from pre-treated static resistant, stain free, permanent press, or wrinkle free items because they are treated with very harmful materials called perfluorinated chemicals “PFCs”, like Teflon.
- Acrylic – Made from polyacrylonitrile synthesis (plastic like materials) which are linked to cancer, according to the EPA.
- Cotton – Cotton is the world’s dirtiest crop and the toxic by-products of making fabric and personal care items actually go into our food supply.
- Nylon – Comes from petroleum and is often chemically processed to finish the product and can be harmful.
- Polyester – One of the most processed fabrics you can buy. It is made from synthetic polymers that are made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terpthalic acid.
- Rayon – Reused wood pulp fibers called cellulose that are treated with chemicals like caustic soda, ammonia, acetone and sulphuric acid to prepare for wear and tear.
Purist Fabrics To Look For:
- Silk
- Linen
- Hemp
- Wool
- Cashmere
A Little History On A Famous Designer Doris Brundza:
In Manhattan, Doris Brundza, a 43-year-old fashion designer, lives out a similarly constrained life in a small East Side apartment. She recently began marketing ”Canary Clothes,” a line of women’s fashions made from chemically ”safe” fabrics. Organic food, pure water, and natural or organic clothing can work together to enhance your well being and help you live a healthier life. Reducing your toxic load may sometimes seem like an overwhelming task, but just like any other change, make it step by step. Over time, you’ll see improvement in your own life and in the world around you. Change in the world begins with you making simple changes in your own life.
Now you can understand the difference of inorganic vs organic materials. Say no to cotton and polyester, and start replacing the fibrous materials with non traditional manufacturing like hand made items by replacing your textiles using only the finest linens you can find.
Sources:
http://bodyecology.com/07/02/15/your_body_needs_to_cleanse.php
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/12/21/the-6-synthetic-fabrics-you-most-want-to-avoid-and-why.htm
Healthy Living,
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