What plant are you closest to right now? Depending on what you are wearing, it could be cotton! Its use in clothing and other fabrics is incredibly widespread, and, chances are, you are wearing it right now! Though the use of cotton is sadly declining as it has been gradually overtaken and replaced by artificial substitutes in many cases, it is still not rare, and it is commonly used in blends of materials (cotton and spandex is a popular one for sturdiness and stretch, while cotton and polyester is used to make it cheaper for the clothing industry’s manufacturing). Reusable kitchen towels, sturdier, fluffier bath towels, furniture, curtains, bedsheets, bags, and toys are just some of the examples of cotton at work around you. If you wish, check the tag on your shirt. More likely than not, it has cotton in it.
Many people seem to see cotton not as a plant, but as a mere material. While this may seem true to the urban consumer, it is far from the real story. Cotton is grown all over the world in warm climates, ranging from the United States to China to Pakistan to Brazil. Because of its versatility and its relatively low cost, it can be found in almost every aspect of a standard U.S. household. We in Dublin may not see cotton growing – we do not have any farms here, as we are a suburban city – but for many Americans, especially in the South, cotton is a livelihood for their farms and families.
Of course, cotton does have a dirty history, and even today the cotton industry is not free of guilt. It was one of the main crops for slave-holding plantations in the U.S. South during the slave trade days, one of the worst disgraces on the nation’s history, and even now farmers and farmworkers who grow cotton are regularly exposed to dangerous pesticides, and cotton is even grown with forced labor (read: slavery).
However, the detestable tactics of the cotton industry as a whole do not negate the plant’s usefulness and versatility, nor do they make cotton usage inherently evil. There are many ethical cotton farms, both in the U.S. and all over the world, and that number is going up. If you are buying cotton products, whether that be clothing or bedsheets, I would recommend looking up the brand. Many companies pride themselves on their ethics, and often include handy links on their websites to let you track where their cotton is coming from. If you do not see this proof, consider buying from a different company. Ethical cotton usage is only minimally more expensive than the unethical alternative, and the cotton they make is not tainted by human suffering.
In fact, if ethically purchased, cotton can be one of the most convenient and practical options – cotton fabric is hypoallergenic, meaning that it is less likely to cause allergic reactions than other types of fiber. Also, it is low-maintenance, meaning that it is easier to take care of and does not require special attention like some “luxury” fabrics and plastic “fabrics” do. Lastly, cotton is durable, meaning that it stands the test of time unlike many fast fashion formulations. It is also less likely to get damaged from friction and normal wear. Not only that, good cotton clothes do not have the same slight itchiness that many plastic garments have. While most of us may not notice it, those with sensitive skin or texture preferences may be astounded by the difference.
Next time you shop, try cotton!