We all want to feel good about the products we bring into our homes - and one savvy way to do so is to choose clothing, sheets, and towels made of American-grown cotton. Cotton is the most durable and comfortable fabric available and is a top choice for people around the world when it comes to a wide range of products. A recent study by Hall & Partners found that global consumers prefer cotton over other fabrics and are particularly fond of U.S. cotton. For those of you who want to make your own fact-based decision, here are ten reasons why you should also buy American cotton products.
- Cotton is the most abundantly produced natural fiber in the world. Cotton is a popular crop across the globe. The total production of cotton in the world is close to 25 million tons, which is worth about $12 billion. Cotton is an important part of both the world economy and our own homes, and we can help grow this part of domestic agriculture by choosing American-grown cotton.
- Cotton is a sustainable fiber. Cotton is a fiber, feed, and food crop. Cotton production provides two crops with each seasonal harvest: cotton fiber, which supplies textile fiber needs, and cottonseed, a source of nutritious cooking oil and a protein-rich supplement for dairy cattle and aquaculture feeds. Supporting this type diverse agriculture helps make the American farm system stronger.
- There are three distinct species of cotton. The cotton that makes its way onto store shelves comes from three distinct species. There are short staple, long staple, and extra-long staple cotton. Egyptian cotton and pima cotton are both extra-long staple cottons that can make for luxurious and high-end fabrics, like bedsheets. Upland cotton offers accessible, affordable quality that’s perfect for everyday fabrics, such as jeans and bath towels. No matter the species, American-grown cotton offers a high-quality product.
- Cotton requires lower maintenance than synthetic fibers.Cotton has unmatched versatility, reliability, and comfort. It’s breathable yet absorbent, soft yet durable. In addition to this great qualities, cotton is naturally hypoallergenic and odor-resistant which makes it a great fabric choice for clothing, sheets, and towels. American-grown cotton allows consumers to support family farms while taking advantage of cotton’s many benefits.
- Cotton can be spun and woven into a variety of fabrics. Cotton is spun and woven into a wide variety of fabrics, each with their own unique properties. At HomeGrown Cotton, our upland cotton is spun and woven into percale, flannel, and denim. Each fabric is versatile, durable, and comfortable. If you’re looking for cotton products from the United States, check out our Heartland HomeGrown sheets and this list of denim jean brands made in the USA.
- Cotton in the United States is not grown or harvested by forced labor. In Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, citizens - including young children - are systematically forced to work on the cotton fields during harvest season through inhumane, state-sponsored practices. Forced and child labor is illegal in the United States, so when you choose American cotton, you can be certain its grown, harvested, and ginned by under fair and free conditions with an ethical workforce.
- Most cotton in America is grown with sustainable farming practices. Over the past 35 years, American family farmers of cotton have made big changes to protect our land. Cotton production in America has resulted in 82% less water used on crops, 44% less soil loss, 30% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, 38% less energy used, and 42% greater yields. Buying American-grown cotton helps support these initiatives.
- Cotton supports American family farmers. The majority of cotton in the United States is grown and harvested on family farms throughout the Cotton Belt. Contrary to popular belief, cotton is rarely grown and harvested on big, industrial farms. Cotton is produced on more than 18,000 farms in the U.S., and buying American-grown goes a long way for these family farmers.
- The cotton industry creates jobs in the United States. Since cotton is grown, harvested, and ginned in the United States by family farmers, it has created more than 125,000 jobs and over $21 billion in direct business revenue alone. We proud that our HomeGrown upland cotton helps contribute to this positive economic force.
- The source of cotton can be tracked. At HomeGrown Cotton, we use a revolutionary verification system that tags, tracks, and tests our cotton to ensure it's never contaminated or compromised, from the time it leaves our farms to the time it arrives in stores. Before our cotton leaves the farm, it’s tagged with SigNature T technology. This invisible molecular marker allows us to keep an eye on our cotton throughout production and repeatedly test it for purity along the way. The patented genomic test is called FiberTyping and allows us to verify that the cotton is always 100% American cotton.
