NEW - Organic Cotton Hair Elastics

Over the years we have used cotton and cotton blends in some of our products as part of moving towards more natural and sustainable materials where possible.  

It is generally viewed that the use of cotton and other natural materials is better for the environment for numerous reasons…

>  Natural materials use fewer/no chemicals in production.

>  Natural materials are more sustainable as they come from sources which grow and regrow quickly.   

> The majority of natural fibres are biodegradable and can be broken down with no harmful impact on the environment.  

>  They use less energy when produced compared to synthetic fibres.

Cotton is considered to be one of the most sustainable fibres because it is both biodegradable and compostable.  In fact, it can decompose completely in up to 5 months depending on the conditions.

In the spirit of always trying to do better we have been keen to source hair accessories made from organic cotton as this means that the products will have all the benefits of cotton, without the use of hazardous chemicals or genetically modified seeds for the cotton crops.. 

We are delighted that we will soon be able to offer a range of organic cotton hair elastics which will be available to order online this summer.  

What is the difference between ordinary cotton and organic cotton?

The difference between the two is all down to how the cotton is farmed.  

Growing conventional cotton typically uses genetically modified cotton seeds that are chemically treated to be hardy.  The crops are also treated with pesticides and fertilisers to deter any insects and maximise growth.  These chemicals leak into the waterways, soil and air during the growing and manufacturing processes and can be damaging to humans, animals and the environment. 

The use of genetically modified seeds and pesticides is not permitted when growing organic cotton.

What are the benefits of using organic cotton?

In order to be certified as organic cotton, no genetically modified seeds, chemicals or pesticides can be used in the farming process, making it much kinder to the planet and the people involved in the production.    

Organic cotton fields usually maintain better water levels due to the soil health, so it uses less water in production compared to non-organic cotton which is very thirsty.  Water conservation is important everywhere in the world, but particularly in areas of the water-scarce countries where cotton is farmed.                 

Another great thing about organic cotton is that it is usually handpicked which helps to maintain the strength and softness of the fibres.  Conventional cotton is picked using machinery which can break the fibres making them weaker and less durable in the long term.  

As the natural fibres of organic cotton are chemical-free, people with allergies or skin conditions often find that organic cotton does not cause them any irritation.

What are the disadvantages of organic cotton?

Growing organic cotton is a much longer process for the farmers and can be very labour-intensive with lots of weeding and maintenance.

Organic cotton yields are much smaller and require more land to grow the same quantity as non-organic cotton.  This can be at the detriment to ecosystems and biodiversity.     

Organic cotton products are often more expensive because of the labour involved and the smaller yields compared to non-organic cotton.  

Are cotton hair ties good for hair?

Experts usually recommend silk or cotton hair bobbles for being gentle on all hair types as these natural fibres don’t pull on the hair and cause breakages.  Organic cotton hair bobbles go one step further as not only are they soft and gentle on the hair, but they are also chemical-free.    

Does organic cotton need to be certified?   

The word organic is legally controlled in relation to selling products that are labelled as such.   The certification body we are working with is deemed the most rigorous, as it takes into account not only the fibres themselves but also each stage of the supply chain which must conform to strict ecological and ethical labour standards in order to be certified.  This protects the environment and the workforce involved along each step of the way.  We are currently working towards being certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) which is one of the most respected standards.  You can find out more about them here.  

Wholesale organic cotton hair elastics

We’re very excited to introduce to you our eco- friendly hair ties made from organic cotton.  They will be available in 7 options - black, brunette, blonde, green mix, pink mix, and 2 multi-coloured mixes.  Each unit has 6 elastics on a display card and will be priced at £0.59 per unit.  There will be 6 units in a pack.  

The outer of the elastic is made from 100% organic cotton.

The inner core of the elastic is made from 20% natural rubber, 35% recycled rubber and 45% other agents.