When it comes to your kid's closet, not all fabrics are created equal. Here’s why Organic Pima Cotton wins the battle over Bamboo Rayon.
Gentle on Skin
-
Pima cotton keeps the peace. The National Eczema Society lists 100 percent cotton as the safest fabric for flare‑prone skin because it breathes, absorbs sweat, and is gentle on eczema patches. (National Eczema Society)
-
Bamboo rayon feels silky but (surprise) the natural antibacterial agents vanish during chemical processing.The US FTC states that once bamboo stalks become viscose, no plant properties remain; so any “built‑in” microbe claims rely on finish chemicals, not nature.
Softness That Lasts All Day
-
Cloud‑soft cotton. Extra‑long staple Pima fibers run up to 1 ½ inches, creating a smoother yarn that gets softer every wash. (Clemson News)
-
Silky, stretchy rayon. Viscose soaks up to three times its weight in water, whisking sweat away and cooling mini heat machines quickly (ScienceDirect)
-
Movement matters. Cotton jerseys have gentle give. Most bamboo pieces mix in a bit of spandex for stretch, so sleeves slide on without a fight.
Built to Last
-
Cotton holds up in the wash, cycle after cycle. Pima’s long fibers resist pilling and hold strength even when soaked, so hot‑cycle washes and tumble drying are both fine (in fact, it often gets even softer).
-
Rayon’s a bit high-maintenance. Standard viscose loses much of its strength in water and pills if tumble‑dried on high. Cold wash, low spin, line dry ... or watch it fuzz out sooner than planned.
Planet-Friendly Choices
-
Water needs. Growing and milling one kilo of cotton fabric averages eight‑to‑ten thousand litres of water. (Water Footprint Network) Bamboo fields are light sippers, thriving on just the rain.
-
Chemicals. Organic cotton skips synthetic pesticides and can be finished under GOTS or OEKO‑TEX rules. Converting bamboo pulp into viscose uses sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide; the latter is linked to nerve damage in rayon workers when vapors escape ATSDR
-
End of life. Both fibers biodegrade. Studies show viscose can break down faster–about six weeks compared with eleven for cotton virtue + vice. Neither sheds microplastic.
Why 12 | 12 sticks with Organic Pima Cotton
-
Kids live in our clothes from breakfast to bedtime stories. We need fabric that stays smooth after the thousandth spin cycle.
-
The long staple yarn glides over sensitive skin without the need for chemical softeners.
-
Certified organic fields cut out chemical run-off and rely on rain—Mother Nature’s free irrigation system.
-
Small‑batch dyeing locks in color without heavy coatings, so softness never has to fight stiff finishes.
What this means for your kid’s closet
At 12|12, we chose Organic Pima Cotton because it checks every box: comfort, durability, and planet-friendly practices. It’s soft enough for sensitive skin, strong enough for endless adventures, and made with care from seed to seam.
