You've probably seen both "organic cotton" and "GOTS certified" on baby clothing labels. They sound like they mean the same thing. They don't — and the difference matters more than most brands want you to know.
What Does "Organic Cotton" Mean?
When a brand says "organic cotton," they're typically referring to how the cotton was grown — without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. That's genuinely better than conventional cotton, which is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world.
But here's the problem: there's no universal enforcement. A brand can print "organic cotton" on a label with no independent verification. The cotton fiber might be organic, but the dyeing process, finishing chemicals, and manufacturing conditions could be anything.
What Does GOTS Certified Mean?
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It's a third-party certification that covers the entire supply chain — from the cotton field all the way to the finished garment on the store shelf.
To earn GOTS certification, a product must:
- Use at least 95% certified organic fiber
- Prohibit toxic dyes, bleaches, and finishing agents
- Meet strict wastewater treatment standards in factories
- Ensure fair labor conditions throughout production
- Pass independent audits at every stage
That last point is the key one. Anyone can claim "organic." Nobody can fake a GOTS certificate — it requires physical inspections and documented chain of custody.
Why Does This Matter for Baby Clothes Specifically?
Babies spend more time in their clothes than adults do. Newborns are in a bodysuit or romper for 20+ hours a day. Their skin is thinner, more permeable, and more reactive to chemicals than adult skin. And they mouth everything — including their sleeves.
The chemicals used in conventional textile processing (formaldehyde-based wrinkle treatments, azo dyes, heavy metal fixatives) don't fully wash out. GOTS certification is the only way to be confident they were never used in the first place.
What About "OEKO-TEX"?
OEKO-TEX is a different certification — it tests the finished product for harmful substances, but it doesn't govern how the cotton was grown or what happens during manufacturing. It's useful, but narrower in scope than GOTS. Think of GOTS as the more comprehensive standard of the two.
A Note on Accessories
The same scrutiny parents apply to clothing is worth applying to hair accessories too. While our hair clips and ties aren't certified organic (they're not fabric), they are designed to be lightweight, stay put without pulling, and come in colors that kids genuinely love wearing.
Browse our hair accessories collection to see what's available.
The Bottom Line
If a brand says "organic cotton" without any certification to back it up, treat it as a marketing claim. If a brand says GOTS certified, that's a verifiable, third-party guarantee covering the whole supply chain.
All Dew and Dove clothing is GOTS certified — not just organically grown, but independently verified from fiber to finished garment. Browse our full collection here.