Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog

View Original

Terra Thread Home

I am drawn to sustainably made, organic cotton products.  

I count myself among those becoming more aware of the positive impacts of buying ethically and sustainably made organic cotton products can make on the world.

We as a whole are at a tipping point environmentally and socially.  Fortunately, there's a lot of things that we all can do in our day-to-day living to help us lead a more compassionate, Earth-friendly, and Planet-friendly lifestyle.   

One way is by going organic or even partially organic.  Choosing certified organic cotton can make big positive differences to our planet and its people.  

If we each made this choice the impact would be profoundly good.  Not just in our every-day clothing.  I also mean in what use at home such as choosing to buy and use organic cotton products.  

For example, perhaps use organic cotton sateen sheets and an organic cotton blanket as opposed to conventional cotton sateen sheets and a conventional cotton blanket.

Organic cotton products like these are becoming more available from big box retailers to luxury home collections.

The best way to go about making sure that what you are getting is the real deal that is ethically and sustainably made is to look for Fairtrade, GOTS-certified, organic products from companies that are certified B-Corps. 

The best way to go about this is by scrutinizing the labels and tags in both clothing and in textile home goods.

Source: Photo courtesy of Gallant International Inc.

Conventional cotton manufacturing can devour massive amounts of water.  The average t-shirt and jeans made with conventional cotton consumes 436 liters and 2,180 liters of water respectively.  Conventional cotton uses about 2.5% of the world's cultivable land and 10% of all agricultural chemicals.  

Pesticides and fertilizers can cause loss of soil fertility, damaging pollution, and harm human and biosphere health.  Additionally, fertilizer manufacturing contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.  

Over 60% of cotton is produced by small cotton farmers, around 90% of which live in developing countries.  They have high levels of debt, partly due to the high cost of  farming and become trapped in poverty.  

Conventional cotton farming can lead to soil erosion, land clearing, contamination, human suffering, loss of soil biodiversity and productivity.

Organic cotton farming can promote soil health, lower greenhouse gas emissions and help lift people out of a cycle of poverty.  Cotton is an important crop for fiber, fuel, and food (i.e. cottonseed oil), and the income it can generate can improve living standards. By choosing certified organic cotton we are potentially saving ourselves 46% decline in global warming, 70% less acidification of water and land, 26% less nitrogen and phosphorous deposits in water, 91% less irrigation and 62% less energy use from the energy used to produce chemical fertilizer.

Knowing that, if you choose to buy organic cotton you're making a huge contribution to helping better manage and reduce water usage, reduce chemical toxins that can not only pollute the local environment and people where the cotton is grown but also cause ill-effects down the supply chain to the end-user, reduce carbon emissions, preserve biodiversity and support sustainable practices.   Look for Fairtrade and GOTS certified organic cotton.    

Look for Fairtrade certified symbol on your organic cotton products if you see that, that means the product is made in a way that sustains not only the individual farmer so it's safe and sustainable for them but the entire farming community and down the product producing chain.   You can find more info HERE.

Also, look for the symbol for GOTS-certified cotton on your organic cotton products.   If you purchase something that is GOTS-certified, it ensures you that the entire production chain has been certified organic by rigid procedures and protocols and no GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) were used.  You can find out more about the GOTS certification criteria HERE.

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home is a new ethically made and luxury quality home product brand that is acutely aware of the environmental and social issues that the world is facing.  They take their ethical responsibility very seriously and ensure the highest social and environmental compliance and quality standards in our entire production process from the cotton farms to the consumer.  

Terra Thread Home offers a luxury home collection of premium organic cotton sateen sheets, organic cotton blankets, organic cotton muslin swaddle wraps, organic cotton bathrobes, and  organic cotton bath towels that are luxuriously soft, smooth, and super comfortable. 

Vik Giri, founded the brand with his daughter, Vizan.

"The textile industry is famously destructive to the Earth and its people". says, Mr. Giri. "Far too many products rely upon toxic-heavy agricultural and manufacturing practices. And a depressing amount of companies produce and promote products that do not meet social, economic, and environmental standards.  Terra Thread Home is different. Our motto is `Creating Good That Returns Goodness,’ and we honor it every day. We view Terra Thread Home as a fountain of goodness, broadcasting good for the planet, good for farmers and factory workers, and good for you.”

Source: Photo courtesy of Gallant International Inc.

With Terra Thread Home, the father/daughter team brings high-quality, ethically made, luxury sustainable bed sheet sets, knit blankets, towel sets, bathrobes, and baby swaddle blankets to the marketplace. All of the products are Global Organic Textile Standard Certified (GOTS) and crafted from cotton grown on rain-fed organic farms across India. 

Vik started Terra Thread Homes' parent company, Gallant International in 2009, intent on offering the world different kinds of products — unconventionally sustainable textiles products. Gallant is a Certified B Corporation specializing in organic, Fairtrade, and carbon-neutral private label products including custom cosmetic bags, totes, and drawstring bags for packaging.

 “Helping to expand the organic cotton industry in India, and to diminish the prominence of conventional cotton farming, remains the core of what we do,” says Vik. “Cotton farms in India are more saturated with toxic chemicals than any other kind of agriculture in the world. The practice destroys soil and kills many farmers. By opening markets for organic cotton, we give farmers the means they need to break free from chemical agriculture.”

 Organic cotton sourced by Terra Thread Home is from rain-fed fields that are part of farmer co-operatives managed by Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). Farmers harvest long-staple cotton from these pesticide-free fields. Workers then spin the cotton into yarn and weave it into extra-soft fabric, free from toxic dyes, formaldehyde, and heavy metals that are common in conventional cotton textile manufacturing. 

After the fabrics arrive at garment factories, artisans design, cut, and sew Terra Thread Home products. Finally, Terra Thread Home uses eco-friendly FSC-certified paper and reusable organic cotton bags to pack our products.

Source: Photo courtesy of Gallant International Inc.

Among other things, Terra Thread Home:

•   Ensures that farmers receive fair prices for their cotton.

•   Rejects all forms of gender discrimination.

•   Works to make sure all cotton fields are free of child labor.

•   Terra Thread supports Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs to help provide nutritious food to children, families, and seniors in the US.

 “The stakes have never been higher,” says Vik. “We believe 2021 will be a pivotal year for addressing climate change, healing the world’s ecosystems, and improving the lives of those in need. The entire Gallant family is eager to play a bigger role today to ensure a better tomorrow.”

Terra Thread Home offers a luxury home collection. The current product range includes organic cotton sheets, organic cotton blankets, organic cotton bath towels, organic cotton bathrobes, and organic cotton muslin swaddle blankets  for babies with plans to expand.  Here, you will find a walk-through of the assortment:

Blankets

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home blankets are luxurious 100% organic cotton blankets that are lightweight and breathable but yet cozy and snuggly.   They are available in a herringbone weave.  The organic cotton blankets are made of two-ply long-staple (33 mm) combed  100% organic cotton.  These blankets are easy to care for (machine wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low, medium iron if needed but don't dry clean).  It's strongly suggested that you wash the blanket by itself before your first use because it sheds.  These organic cotton blankets are great for layering because they give you warmth but don't trap heat- the cotton helps regulate body temperature with its breathability and by pulling sweat and moisture away from the body. This organic cotton blanket makes a great all-season blanket. And a bonus-because it's organic this is a naturally hypoallergenic item so it's great for anybody that has skin sensitivities or allergies. 

The organic cotton blankets are available in 3 sizes;  Twin, Full/Queen, and King/California King.   The blankets are available in seven colors; White, Natural, Sand, Dusty Rose, Brown, Mist Gray, and Navy.

Sheets

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home sheets are a 300 count, sateen weave. The sateen weave makes them feel very smooth to the skin and it gives it a subtle sheen. These organic cotton sateen sheets are made of two-ply long-staple (33 mm) mercerized, combed,  GOTS-certified organic cotton and they feel luxuriously cool to the touch.  The Twin sheets contain a flat sheet and a fitted sheet (with 15" deep pockets) plus a pillowcase. 

For Full, Queen, King, and California King, the fitted sheet pockets are 17' deep (which can stretch to fit an 18" tall mattress),  Full, Queen, King, and California King all come with 2 pillowcases.   These organic cotton sateen sheets are available in 5 sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King.   They are available in 8 colors total; White, Ivory, Light Grey, Dark Grey, Sand, Light Blue, Dark Blue, and Rose and are no pill for up to 15 washes.  Washing recommendations: Machine wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low medium, iron if needed do not dry clean. 

Bath Towels

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home organic cotton bath towels are a delicious high-quality 700 grams per square meter terry weave. These organic cotton bath towels are a luscious long-staple cotton fiber ( 33 mm).  The cotton is combed and certified organic.   The terry weave makes them extremely absorbent and plush-they feel like you wrapped yourself in style and you feel like you're at of spa.   

Each set contains 2 oversized bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 washcloths.   The bath towel size is 30" by 54", the hand towel size is 20" by 30" and the washcloths are 13" by 13".   They're available in 8 colors: White, Gray, Silver, Beige, Brown, Blue, Black, and Green.  Recommended washing instructions: Machine wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low medium, iron if needed do not dry clean. We strongly recommend washing the towels by themselves first before use because they shed.

Bath Robes

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home offers amazing luxury-quality unisex bathrobes

Their organic cotton velour terry bathrobes make you feel like you're in a spa!  These robes are lush and plush and deliciously heavy and snuggly.  They're available in 2 sizes Small/Medium and Large/Extra-Large.  They come in 3 colors: French Blue, Gray, and White.  These organic cotton bathrobes are made out of 450 grams per square meter velour terry to have side loops with a belt and 2 front patch pockets. Washing recommendations: Machine wash cold, do not bleach, tumble dry low medium, iron if needed do not dry clean. 

Baby Swaddle Blankets

Source:  Photo Terra Thread Home

Terra Thread Home also offers amazing GOTS-certified, ethically made, soft 2 ply double cloth weave baby organic cotton muslin swaddle blankets.  

These come in a convenient gift pack of 4 they are two-ply double cloth soft muslin.   There are available in 7 patterns: Clouds and Stars,  Carnival, Dino and Friends, Tribes, Confetti, Raindrops and Rainbows, and Busy Bees.   They're a generous 47" by 47". These organic cotton muslin swaddle blankets are great not only for swaddling babies but for burping, diaper changes, and many other nursery or on-the-go uses.  Since they are GOTS-certified organic, you can rest easy that any dyes used in the printing used on the swaddle blankets were done with gentle and non-harmful elements. 

All chemicals are Azo and heavy metal free and are printed with GOTs approved pigments.  The construction of these organic cotton muslin swaddle blanket fabric itself makes these extremely breathable.   The cotton fibers used are long-staple (33 mm) mercerized combed and 100% organic which makes these extremely smooth and comfortable.   Machine wash cold do not bleach tumble dry medium iron and do not dry clean recommended wash instructions.

Sources:

http://cottonupguide.org/why-source-sustainable-cotton/challenges-for-cotton/#1518784758976-1461109c-c091

http://aboutorganiccotton.org/environmental-benefits/