THE DIRT
Pesticides and Cotton;
Cotton is cultivated on 3% of the worlds arable land, yet conventional cotton farming uses around 10% of the worlds pesticides and 25% of the worlds insecticides (Pesticides News).

Health Risks:   Chemicals used in cotton farming have been listed by the WHO as common causes of severe, acute pesticide poisonings.  Organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorines, have been associated with various forms of cancer and birth defects. The Environmental Protection Agency lists 7 of the most common pesticides used on cotton as 'possible, likely, probable or known carcinogens' (Organic Trade Association).

Eco Impact:
Pesticides pollute our waterways, disrupting a variety of eco-systems and leeching the soil of nutrients. Poor soil fertility encourages continual use of chemical based fertilisers and pesticides in a self-perpetuating and destructive cycle.

G SPOT
After reading that it takes about 500 grams of pesticides to produce one cotton sheet, I  realised I have probably used several times my body weight in cotton pesticides over my lifetime. If you already have a linen press exploding with sheets like we do, you can buy organic cotton sheet sets or doonas for your buddies wedding presents instead.  Choose carefully, organic cotton can still be dyed with heavy metals and other chemical based dyes.

If 10,000 of us changed to Organic cotton sheets, assuming we each use 2 sheets, we could reduce future pesticide useage by 10 Tonnes.  So tell your friends about organic cotton and CleanLife.

COME CLEAN
Some 'Clean' Alternatives

Biome have an excellent range of organic cotton linen including a hemp-cotton line. Hemp is a renewable resource and requires minimal use of pesticides.

Ecolinen offers certified organic cotton bedding, processed with non toxic dyes. The range is hypoallergenic, a good option for allergy sufferers.

Blessed Earth offer a great range of organic cotton products including mattresses, mattress protectors and  even organic cotton sheet sets  for your baby's cot.

If you are in Perth, check out REMEDY at 95 High St, Fremantle for a  range of organic cotton sheets and quilt covers. Ph: 08 9431 7080.