WE all think of cotton as being a safe and natural fibre, but most material is treated with chemicals and grown in conditions that can be damaging for cotton workers.

Mini-Organic is a Trowbridge-based company that sells organic cotton baby clothes.

Jenny Watts, proprietor, said: "If you are planning to raise your child in a natural and environmentally friendly way, then organic baby clothes are an important factor.

"Crisp white cotton is thought of as a very natural fabric, but it is actually more environmentally-damaging than most synthetic textiles! Cotton is one of the most environmentally damaging crops grown in the world. Because it is not a food crop, cotton is routinely sprayed with an even heavier cocktail of pesticide poisons than normal agricultural crops. In developing countries, more than 50 per cent of all pesticides used in agriculture are sprayed onto cotton fields.

"The result is widescale water pollution, chronic illness in farmworkers, and devastating effects on wildlife. In industrial countries like the USA, cancer rates in cotton-producing states are significantly higher than neighbouring states. Added to this the effects of bleaching the final fabric, and possibly spraying it with a fire-retardant, and your natural look' garment seems distinctly unnatural.

"In conventional cotton clothing, each T-shirt that is produced uses approximately 150g of a range of toxic chemicals, such as Paraquat and Parathion. In fact, the Environment Protection Agency considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton as probable' or known' human carcinogens, and it is estimated that less than 10 per cent of the chemicals applied to cotton accomplish their task. The rest are absorbed into the plant, air, soil, water and eventually, our bodies.

"Organic cotton is manufactured from organically grown cotton plants. No chemical pesticides or fertilisers are used to grow it, and the final cloth is dyed with natural plant dyes.

"At Mini-Organic, we believe it is especially important that baby clothes are free from toxic residues as their skin is five times thinner than our own, allowing toxins to penetrate the skin much more easily.

"The cotton used in our garments is certified organic by SKAL, a very reputable Dutch certifier. SKAL certification is based on the growing and the entire production cycle (spinning, weaving, washing, etc) has to be done in an environmentally responsible way and the dyeing is carried out to Oeko Tex 100 standards, which ensures that the dyeing and finishing of the fabric is also carried out in an environmentally responsible way.

"Therefore, when you buy organic baby clothes from us, you know you are clothing your baby in the safest and most natural fibres available. "All our organic baby clothing and natural, organic skincare is produced in the UK, and the farmers that grow the cotton receive a fair wage for their crop.

"As well as the environment and the farmers, we pay great attention to the finished product and offer you a range that is beautiful to look at, comfortable to wear and practical to care for. Our clothes are designed and made in England.

"Designed to be pure and gentle for your baby, our new organic baby care collection has been created using the highest quality certified organic ingredients. The certified organic baby care range exceeds the exacting Organic Personal Care Standards of the Non-Food Certification Company, a division of the Organic Food Federation."

Mini Organic also stocks organic toiletries and toys. Visit www.mini-organic.co.uk email sales@mini-organic.co.uk or call (01225) 767003.

Keeping it real

How can babies produce so much waste? Now many areas have an alternate week waste collection, families are finding it harder to manage their waste. One baby wearing five or six nappies a day will produce 70-80 nappies a fortnight, using about a third of the space in the waste bin. And with 7,500 babies born every year to Wiltshire families, this means 25 million nappies are used every year in our county alone.

Reducing the impact of our modern lifestyles on the environment is an important element in the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's efforts to protect wildlife. Using cloth nappies helps reduce waste as well as reducing the raw materials and energy used to produce nappies.

Once dumped, a used nappy takes years to break down. We are running out of places to bury our rubbish and it is essential we find ways to reduce waste.

The Trust's Real Nappy Network is one of several projects that aim to help reduce waste in Wiltshire, in this case by promoting the use of washable nappies that can be used again and again.

Re-usable nappies today offer parents real choice by being easy to use and clean, safe and cheap - they also come in a range of colours and patterns. The Trust has teamed up with the Wiltshire County Council and CRED (Community Recycling and Development Fund) to set up a cash back scheme to help encourage people to switch to, and keep using, real nappies. Wiltshire resident parents are entitled to up to £30 cash back for each baby under the age of two when they purchase washable nappies.

The project is co-ordinated by Jacky Thomas.

Jacky can:

  • Put you in touch with a local agent or volunteer who can tell you about the realities of using cloth nappies
  • Demonstrate and loan you a range of nappies to try at home
  • Tell you about local stockists and about laundries available in your area
  • Explain the cash back scheme for those wishing to buy washable nappies
  • Put you in touch with the local credit union if you would like help in spreading the cost of purchase.

How practical are washable nappies?

  • A cloth nappy system consists of a soft absorbent nappy and waterproof breathable cover (also called a wrap).
  • New, colourful designs fit snugly and nappy pins have been replaced with Velcro, poppers or plastic grips for easy fastening.
  • Made of lightweight fluffy materials, including cotton, hemp, polyester, bamboo and microfleece, cloth nappies are easy to wash.
  • Using cloth nappies doesn't have to be an all or nothing option. You can fit them into your lifestyle, using them when convenient.
  • Laundry services are available in some areas.

What are my washable nappy options?

1. Flat nappies: The traditional terry square is folded to make a pad then secured with a plastic fastening and covered with a wrap. Pre-folds, used by most laundry services, are flat cotton pads that fold to fit a wrap.

2. Shaped nappies are designed to fit your baby snugly and some styles go from birth to potty. They require an outer wrap.

3. All-in-ones have the waterproof attached.

4. Pocketed nappies are covers with a pocket that can be stuffed with an absorbent pad.

What do I need to get started?

  • You need enough nappies to allow you to wash only when there is a full load of around 18-24 nappies and if you choose a two-part nappy, you'll need three to six wraps.
  • You may also want to buy some biodegradable or washable liners to draw the moisture away from the baby's skin, add extra absorbency or make messy changing easier.
  • You'll need two or three sizes as baby grows unless you choose the one size type.
  • To avoid leakages, it's important to select the right style and size for your baby's shape.
  • You can also use booster pads to increase absorbency if needed.

What about washing and drying cloth nappies?

  • Soiled nappies can simply be stored in a lidded container and washed at 60.
  • You can deodorise the bin with a few drops of tea tree oil or white vinegar.
  • Biodegradable nappy liners can be flushed down the loo with any solid waste. Washable liners can go in the wash with your nappies.
  • Wraps need to be washed at 40.
  • Avoid fabric softeners: they reduce the absorbency of nappies and damage covers.
  • Most cloth nappies can be tumble dried or dried on an airer in a warm room.

What is the cost?

  • Despite a larger initial outlay, cloth nappies can save you at least £300.
  • Spread the cost by buying a few nappies at a time or taking a low interest loan from a local credit union.
  • Flat nappies cost around £2 each and prices rise to £10-£13 for all in one styles or one size nappies. Wraps cost from around £6 each.
  • Home washing costs around £1 per week.
  • Laundry services cost from £8 a week.


For more information, visit www.wiltshirewildlife.org or call Jacky Thomas on (01380) 725670.