The 5 Types of Cotton Everyone Should Know About
You’ve worn cotton your whole life, but did you know there are five totally different kinds of it hiding in your closet right now? Each one has its own wild origin story. Let’s break them down!
1. Organic Cotton: The Original Legend
Organic cotton is the OG. Literally. It was the first cotton ever grown, long before chemicals existed. At Allmade, we use organic cotton in a few of our fabrications, like our Mineral Dyed Tees and our Organic Cotton Tees!
Why is organic cotton so awesome?
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No chemicals in the ground or on your shirt
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Less water used
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Better for the farmers, the planet, and you
2. Conventional Cotton: The Chemical Cotton
Conventional cotton showed up later and became the most widely used cotton in the world. The big difference is chemicals. Lots of them. Those chemicals allow conventional cotton to grow in more climates, which makes it cheaper for garment production.
But because chemicals are not our thing, we skip conventional cotton completely at Allmade.
3. BCI Cotton: Better Cotton Initiative
BCI stands for Better Cotton Initiative, and most cotton grown in the United States falls into this category. It is a step up from conventional cotton because BCI farmers:
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Use less water
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Reduce the harmful chemicals they apply
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Maintain better working conditions
It is better, but it still uses chemicals. So at Allmade, we pass on BCI too.
4. Transitional Cotton: On the Journey to Organic
Transitional cotton comes from farms shifting from BCI or conventional practices to organic. It takes about three years to clean the chemicals out of the soil. During that time, no new chemicals are sprayed, but some old ones remain.
Because the supply chain is temporary and eventually becomes fully organic, we do not rely on transitional cotton. We wait for the real deal.
5. Recycled Cotton: The Sustainability Superhero
Finally, one of our personal sustainability favorites: recycled cotton. Think of our AL3000 Heavyweight Tee, which is made from 100 percent recycled cotton.
Where does this recycled cotton come from?
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The spinning floor, where fluffy cotton waste floats around
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The cutting room floor, where scraps fall during garment cutting
Instead of tossing those leftovers, they get reprocessed into new fabric. This saves water, reduces waste, and gives cotton a second life. It is one of the most environmentally friendly options out there.
Cotton may be simple, but the way it is grown and processed makes a huge impact. At Allmade, we choose the options that protect people and the planet while still letting you wear something you love.
