Finding Earth-Friendly Fiber Can Be Harder to Find than Organic Food

It's hard enough knowing that we can't trust labels at face value from our foods to our electronics. But making it that much harder is knowing that we have to do extra homework when it comes to picking out eco-friendly fabrics as well.

In an article in Living Crafts magazine, Tara Bloyd and Winnie Culp point out that there's more to "natural" fibers than we might think, and doing our homework means we'll be able to pick the fibers with the lightest environmental footprint, even when they lack a label.

Bloyd writes that when it comes to buying certified fibers, there is more than meets the eye. An independent third party agent will certify the fibers, using much the same process as those used for labeling organic foods. However, the certification doesn't extend to the finished fabric, which can contain harmful dyes or have gone through chemical-laden finishing processes. So while it might be tempting to reach for a mass produced fabric labeled "organic," it might actually be more eco-friendly to go with an uncertified fabric from a local artisan who uses sustainable practices.