Organic Cotton vs Conventional Cotton: What's the Difference

How they are grown

Conventional cotton is typically grown with synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. Organic cotton is grown to standards that prohibit most synthetic inputs and genetically modified seed, relying instead on practices like crop rotation and natural pest management.

Why certification matters

Organic only means something verifiable when it is certified. The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) audits the supply chain from field to finished garment, covering both the organic status of the fibre and social and environmental criteria in processing.

What it means for the garment

For the wearer, certified organic cotton offers traceability and a documented growing method. The fibre itself feels much like conventional cotton; the difference is in how it was produced and whether that can be proven with a scope certificate.

A note on language

Be cautious with unbacked claims. A garment described as organic should be able to point to a certificate. If a brand cannot show one, treat the claim with healthy scepticism.

OMIT makes natural-fibre basics in Australia — OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tested, with GOTS-certified organic cotton on our tees. Explore the range.