The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading organic textile processing standard. It ensures that textiles are truly organic at every stage of production - from ginning, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to labelling of the final product. GOTS makes sure that:
Inputs in processing such as dyes and inks comply with strict biodegradability and toxicity requirements
Factories have functioning waste water treatment plants to protect local ecosystems and water supplies
Products do not contain any allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemical residues
Core International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions must be met throughout manufacture and a social compliance management system must be set up
GOTS certifies thousands of textile businesses around the world and is fast becoming the accepted standard for truly organic textiles. In fact in the USA, where textile products labeled as ‘organic’ are legally required to be certified organic from production to processing, GOTS is an officially recognized standard.
Our organic socks are sweatshop-free designed in USA and made in Europe.
Love Sock's organic cotton is grown using organic means without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, therefore helping to improve the quality of the land, prevent water contamination, and conserve biodiversity.
We feel the harmful effects of non-organic cottons and fabrics in our daily lives, irritated skin, rashes and even headaches and dizziness can be caused by the chemical residue trapped in the threads.
People with allergies and chemical sensitivity especially benefit from organic cotton clothing, as conventional cotton may retain harmful toxic residues. Even if you don't have sensitive skin, organic cotton will just feel better against your skin and smell better.
Here are some startling facts:
• Conventional cotton is responsible for 25% of the insecticides used worldwide
• Some of the most toxic pesticides are used on cotton, and these enter our food chain through foods containing cottonseed oil
• To make one t-shirt, 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and other chemicals are used
Why is organic cotton of higher quality?
The answer lies in how organic cotton is produced. Conventional cotton growers use harvesting machines to harvest the cotton. With the use of these machines, the seeds and oil in the seeds is mixed with the cotton. Harsh chemical cleansers are then used to clean the cotton and remove the oil and seeds. In addition, conventional cotton uses dyes that sometimes contain heavy metals.
Our organic cotton growers hand pick the cotton so it is much cleaner.
The cotton is washed in hot water and vegetable based soaps when collected. This removes microbial factors, cleans and disinfects the raw material before it is turned into the materials sent to us.
The other benefit of hand picking and no chemical use is that the cotton fiber is much stronger; the fiber is not weakened by the chemical cleansers or dyes.