All that glitters is not gold. Similarly, not every ‘green’ advertisement is promoting authentic organic products. With the hype around organic double cotton bed sheets and more people choosing to ‘go green’, many brands have begun churning out false organic products to make profits. For example, a brand may use poor-quality cotton, or mix pure cotton with polyester or nylon and sell it as pure cotton bed sheets.
Although organic double cotton bed sheets are supposed to be softer than ordinary double cotton bed sheets, it is harder to tell when buying, as companies coat their sheets with fabric softeners. Once the softener wears off the King size cotton double bed sheet, you would know if they are real organic bedding sheets or you have been fooled. Authentic organic bedding brands do not coat their products with softeners. There are markers you can look out for to tell if the products are genuinely organic or a farce.
In this article, we will cover the harmful effects of greenwashing and how to identify greenwashing efforts.
What is Greenwashing?
According to Investopedia, greenwashing refers to the process of deceiving a customer by advertising fake information about a brand’s products to make them appear more environmentally sustainable. With the ongoing climate crisis and growing awareness about cruelty tests on animals, many popular brands are at a high risk of being ‘canceled’ for their unethical practices.
Some bedding brands may try to deceive you by saying that they use recycled materials for packaging, that their manufacturing process leaves no waste, or that their process saves energy and natural resources. Not only bedding brands, but some of the world’s conventional energy-consuming companies are also trying to rebrand themselves as champions of the environment. They convincingly use facts and data to back their claims. But, thorough research is all you need to do to catch their bluff.
Why Should You Care About Greenwashing?
The planet needs our help. Recently, the temperatures around the Arctic Circle and Antarctica have soared super-high. When companies dump waste in river bodies, use up tons of plastic, waste natural resources, and treat their products on animals, it creates adverse effects on the planet. If you care about meeting sustainable development goals and making the planet habitable for future generations, call the false brands out. It would stop them from inflicting more damage on the planet.
How to Recognize Greenwashing?
Genuine organic brands are only too happy to advertise clearly about their methods and processes. They would specifically highlight the benefits of their green products over ordinary ones. You would be able to tell by their transparent tone. Nowadays, many brands show their manufacturing process on social media through videos. Not only does it ensure a trusting relationship between clients and the brand, but it also increases the popularity of your brand. It is a no-brainer that an active social media presence is of utmost necessity in 2022. To tell apart authentic bedding brands that meet sustainable development goals from brands making false claims, keep the following in mind.
● GOTS certification is the most authentic claim any bedding brand can make for its textile production. It is a world-renowned certification given to companies that follow due procedures to make completely organic fibers.
● Residual waste is a huge issue for industrial companies. They often tend to dump waste in water bodies. These brands do not meet sustainable development goals and must be stopped immediately.
● Another factor to note when shopping for organic bedding products is to check their thread count and GSM. The ideal thread count for bedding purposes is 300, weaved with a single-ply yarn. Your cotton double bedsheet should not exceed the 400 thread count mark, as a higher thread count means the same threads have been weaved in thinner patterns to show an increased number.
● Check the packaging of your bed sheets and towels. If they use too much plastic, they are not as environmentally friendly as they are probably claiming to be.
● Break the buck. It is a myth that genuine organic products cost a fortune, however, they cost more than ordinary brands. When you buy organic double cotton bed sheets, you are investing in your skin and health. Make the required investment for adequate returns.
● Lastly, do your research thoroughly and look beneath the buzzwords.
Penned By:
Ami Sata, Founder, Amouve
