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Get wrapped up in the eco-friendly fabric that feel good against your skin and help protect the planet.

You choose clothes that make you look and feel good. Now, by greening your closet with eco-fashions and your laundry room with safe, eco-friendly detergents that won’t harm the environment, you can feel even better about yourself. And you won’t have to work hard to find them. Every major brand from Levi Strauss to Gap is offering at least some organic and sustainable clothing. Many online stores specialize in sustainable apparel, and a quick Google search for the type of fabric you ‘re looking for will pull up a dozen of sources.

What is organic cotton fabric?

According to the Organic Trade Association: “Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. It includes a system of production, processing, distribution and sales that assures consumers that the products maintain the organic integrity that begins on the farm.”

Material World

Here are four sustainable fabrics to look for next you go on a clothes-shopping spree. You can check ota.com, for sources of organic and sustainable clothing.

Bamboo is an environmentally friendly plant, but the chemical process most often used to convert it to a soft, silky fabric is toxic. A small percentage of bamboo fabric is produced mechanically rather than chemically, which is a more sustainable option that makes a fabric called bamboo linen.

Soy fiber is made from the waste product from soybeans after the oil is extracted. It is converted and processed (usually using non-toxic agents and enzymes) into a fiber and made into fabric. Soy fabric is usually extremely soft and warm.

Wool, by nature renewable, is a natural fiber that wicks away moisture and keeps you warm. Organic wool is a small part of an overall production, but the segment is growing.

Organic Cotton is the leading organic fiber, driven by demand from apparel manufacturers. Organic cotton fabric must start with organic cotton. Considering that nonorganic cotton farming uses approximately 25 percent of the word’s insecticides and more than 10 percent of the word’s pesticides, going organic is a smart choice. Check the garment’s label for the word” organic.”

Organic clothes need eco-friendly detergents

Consumers now have more eco-friendly laundry detergent choices than ever. Companies such as Seventh Generation or Savvy Green make safer dishwasher and laundry soaps that do not contain phosphates or other harmful synthetic chemicals. For example Savvy Green Laundry and Dishwashing Detergents are Super Concentrated, derived from plants and minerals; leave no residues, fragrance-free, chlorine and phosphate free. They list and explain all of products ingredients on the package. Savvy Green package their detergents in an innovative HDPE#2 recyclable, resealable flexible pouch that is easy to store and hold and as an alternative to big plastic jugs and cardboard boxes that do no reseal. Savvy Green award winning packaging has won Gold from the Flexible Packaging Association for Environmental and Sustainability.

Natural laundry

Here are a few eco-friendly detergents to look for next time you go shopping, in-store or online

Laundry Detergent:

Simple ingredients, super-concentrated, fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin, babies clothes and diapers, delicate fabrics. Savvy Green detergent rinses completely and leaves no residues on your clothes. Savvy Green also keeps your washing machine clean. No fillers, No Optical Brighteners, free from Formaldehyde, Chlorine, and Phosphates. No need to use fabric softeners.

Oxygen Brightening Powder:

A super concentrated bleach alternative and deodorizer. Works great as a laundry booster or for general household stain remover. Mixed with water works to remove stains on shower curtains, tile, ceramic, stainless steel.

Give it a try

Looks like cleaning eco clothes won't be too hard, but what about more dirty stuff - your dishes. Try these natural solutions to common cleaning challenges around your kitchen.

All –purpose cleaner you can make yourself.

Great for hard surfaces, such as countertops, kitchen floors, windows and mirrors.

2 cups water

2 cups white distilled vinegar

20 to 30 drops of essential oil, such as lavender or

½ teaspoon of lemon juice

Add vinegar and lemon juice to water. For even more pleasing scent, add an essential oil to the mixture.

Savvy Green Dishwasher Detergent:

Super concentrated, leaves no residue on your dishes, sparkling results, and ingredients derived from plants and minerals, powerful plant based enzymes to fight stains, oxygen brighteners to clean and free from chlorine, phosphates, and fragrance. Available in 80 Load Powder or 48 Load single dose packs.

About company

Savvy Green was established in St. Petersburg, Florida as an independent, woman-owned, privately held company.

“We are all about offering safe, eco-friendly, and effective options—no need to sacrifice “clean” for green.” We are committed to environmental responsibility every step of the process—from development to production to distribution—all the way to our customers’ ease of use and responsible disposal of containers.

This is how it all began. We started working at home using a simple recipe to create a dry laundry detergent to give to friends and family. The thought was that if all of our friends used the powder detergent “gifts,” that alone could account for a significant reduction of detergents in large plastic containers and their associated carbon footprint. Well, our friends loved the powder. In fact, they’re still using it.

We are not jumping on the eco-bandwagon. In our daily lives, we are continually seeking ways to shrink our carbon footprint: rebuilding and replacing roofs; increasing (shoring up) insulation; choosing energy star appliances, LED lighting, solar panels, and oven cooking, native plant landscaping, and efficient vehicles (we especially like bikes!).” – says Mary Allen Co-Founder Savvy Green LLC

Photo courtesy of:Savvy Green, freedigotalphotos.net photos by Dan, Anankkml, Crisis