At a glance
- Type: natural plant fibre
- Feels: soft, breathable, absorbent; softens further with washing
- Best for: bodysuits, sleepwear, muslins, everyday basics
- Look for: GOTS certification, ideally with OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Product Class I
What it is
Organic cotton is cotton grown under certified organic farming rules: no synthetic pesticides or synthetic fertilisers, and no genetically modified seeds. Farmers rely instead on crop rotation, natural pest control and building healthy soil. Land has to go through a conversion period before its cotton can be sold as organic, which is why you will sometimes see "in-conversion" cotton on labels.
Organic cotton still makes up only a small fraction of the world's cotton, so verified supply is limited and usually costs more.
Why parents choose it
- Gentle on skin: cotton is breathable and absorbent, which suits a baby's sensitive skin and frequent changes.
- Better farming: no synthetic pesticides protects farm workers, soil and local water.
- Easy to verify: GOTS certification covers the whole chain from fibre to finished garment, so the claim can be checked.
What to know
- Organic growing is only part of the story. Most of the chemistry in a garment comes later, in dyeing and finishing. That is why GOTS, which also restricts processing chemicals, is more meaningful than an organic-fibre claim alone. Read how to tell if baby clothes are really organic.
- Treat headline numbers with care. You will see dramatic figures for water or energy savings. Real results vary widely by region, farm and whether the cotton is rain-fed or irrigated, so look for claims backed by a named study.
- Cotton holds moisture. It absorbs sweat well but dries more slowly than fibres like TENCEL™ Lyocell, which matters on very hot days outdoors.
In a Gulf climate
Organic cotton is a dependable choice year-round. In summer, choose light, loose weaves such as muslin, gauze or fine jersey for time outdoors. In air-conditioned homes and nurseries, a slightly heavier cotton jersey or interlock keeps babies comfortable without overheating.
Caring for it
- Wash at 30–40°C with a mild, fragrance-free detergent.
- Use less detergent than the pack suggests: the hard water common in the UAE leaves residue that can stiffen fabric.
- Air-dry in the shade where possible; strong sun fades colours and tumble drying causes shrinkage.
- Expect natural cotton to soften over time; well-made pieces last long enough to hand down.
Where to find it
Look for pieces that show the GOTS logo, label grade and licence number on the product page itself. One example: BABICLO's 100% organic cotton bodysuits are made by a GOTS-certified factory (licence GOTS-26941, certified by Control Union). You can check this number yourself in the GOTS public database at global-standard.org. (Owned by our founder.) Other BABICLO products are not GOTS certified. We will add more certified brands here as we rate them.
How it scores in our ratings
Under our Ratings Methodology, certified organic cotton earns credit in the Materials pillar in proportion to the share of a brand's range that is certified. GOTS certification also contributes to Chemical safety and People, because it covers processing chemicals and working conditions.
Sources and further reading
- Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): global-standard.org
- Textile Exchange – Organic Content Standard and materials reports: textileexchange.org
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: oeko-tex.com