Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about certifications, materials, and how iOrganic operates. Where an answer rests on something we publish elsewhere, it links to it — so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Certifications
What does GOTS certification actually mean?
GOTS — the Global Organic Textile Standard — certifies the whole supply chain rather than the raw material alone: fibre, spinning, dyeing, finishing and sewing, plus social and labour criteria, all checked by an independent auditor. It also bans a long list of chemical inputs.
The trap is that a brand can buy GOTS-certified cotton and still produce a finished sheet that carries no certification of its own. Look for certification of the product, not the fibre. More in Certifications Decoded.
Does “natural”, “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” mean organic?
No. None of those words has a fixed definition in home textiles, and none of them obliges anyone to check. With no named third-party certifying body behind it, a claim like that is marketing rather than evidence — the same goes for “hypoallergenic” and “clean”. We list the words that mean nothing and what to ask for instead.
What does “made with organic cotton” mean?
Less than it sounds. That phrasing can describe a fabric as little as 10% organic, with no GOTS certification on the finished item. It is a content claim about an input, not a certification of the thing you are buying.
Does OEKO-TEX mean a product is organic?
No, and this is the most common mix-up. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 verifies that a finished textile has been tested for harmful substances. It says nothing about how the fibre was farmed. It is the right credential for linen — paired with European Flax, which verifies origin — and a useful addition to GOTS on cotton, but it is not an organic certification. See the side-by-side comparison.
What is the difference between GOTS, GOLS and Fair Trade?
They cover different things, and only one of them is about organic cotton. GOTS is the organic standard for cotton and wool. GOLS — the Global Organic Latex Standard — is the equivalent for latex; “natural latex” without GOLS can be cut with synthetic. Fair Trade Certified covers labour and wages, not organic content, so a product can carry one and not the other.
Two more worth knowing: GreenGuard Gold sets low chemical-emission limits and is the credential to demand on any foam, and MADE SAFE screens against a database of known hazardous chemicals.
What should I look for on a label?
A named certifying body, and a certification that covers the finished product rather than the raw fibre. For cotton, GOTS is the floor. For linen, OEKO-TEX plus European Flax is the equivalent. For latex, GOLS. Anything labelled only “organic” with no certifier behind it is a word, not a guarantee. Our certification comparison sets out what each one does and does not verify.
How iOrganic works
How does a product get listed on iOrganic?
We curate; we do not manufacture. Products are selected against The iOrganic Standard: organic or natural materials, the certifications the maker actually carries, and specifications clear enough to read before you buy — fibre content, weave, weight and country of origin where available. Our sourcing approach describes how that works in practice.
Does iOrganic lab-test the products it sells?
No, and we do not claim to. We do not run a lab, we do not wash-test, and we do not publish scores or “verdicts” dressed up as test results. What we do is name what a product is made of and which certifications sit behind it. Where a maker cannot supply a certification or a specification, we say so rather than invent one.
What does the “What we can verify” panel on a product page mean?
It lists only what we can point to for that specific item: named certifications, fibre content, construction, and country of origin. When a product has no certifications on file, the panel says exactly that — None on file — rather than implying certification with a vague badge. A blank row is information too.
Does iOrganic take payment for placement?
No. We do not take payment in exchange for placement, coverage or a recommendation, and we do not run sponsored positions in our category pages. See How We Make Money.
How does iOrganic make money?
Primarily as a retailer: we earn a margin on what we sell. Occasionally we mention a product we do not stock, and some of those links may be affiliate links that earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That is disclosed in keeping with the FTC’s endorsement guides. The full picture is on How We Make Money and in our Affiliate Disclosure.
What happens when iOrganic gets something wrong?
We fix it. Product information comes from suppliers and makers, and details change — a certification lapses, a price moves, a product is reformulated. If something on the site is inaccurate, email info@iorganic.com and we correct it. Our corrections policy is public for the same reason the funding disclosure is.
Products and materials
Are higher thread counts better?
No, and past a point the number is actively misleading. Above roughly 400 the returns flatten, and many counts over 600 are inflated by counting each ply of a multi-ply yarn as a separate thread — so a 300-thread-count fabric woven from two-ply yarn gets sold as 600. Fibre length, yarn quality and weave tell you far more than the figure on the packaging.
What is GSM, and is a higher number better?
GSM is grams per square metre — a plain measure of fabric weight, and a more honest one than thread count because it cannot be inflated by counting tricks. Heavier towels are denser and more absorbent but slower to dry; lighter ones dry faster. It describes what a fabric is, not where it ranks. We publish GSM in the specifications on a product page wherever the maker supplies it.
What is the difference between percale and sateen?
They are weaves, not materials — both are usually cotton. Percale is a one-over-one-under weave: crisp, matte, breathable, and it sleeps cool. Sateen floats more yarn on the surface for a smoother, more lustrous, slightly warmer hand. Hot sleepers tend to prefer percale; sateen resists wrinkles and rarely needs ironing. Our sheet finder walks through the trade-off.
Is bamboo bedding organic?
Usually not in any meaningful sense. Almost all “bamboo” fabric is rayon — bamboo cellulose dissolved in a solvent and reconstituted as fibre. Whatever the plant was beforehand, the result is a regenerated fibre, while organic certification describes how a crop was farmed and processed. Without OEKO-TEX certification on the finished textile, a “bamboo” label tells you very little about what you are buying.
Is bamboo lyocell different from bamboo viscose?
Somewhat. Lyocell is made in a closed-loop process that recovers most of the solvent, which is a real improvement on conventional viscose processing. It is still a regenerated cellulose fibre rather than an organic one, and the difference is about how the fibre was made, not how the plant was grown. If it matters to you, ask which process was used and which certification covers the finished fabric. A brand that can answer neither question has told you something.
Is organic cotton softer than conventional cotton?
Not inherently. Softness comes from fibre length, yarn and finishing. What certification reliably buys you is the absence of harsh chemical finishes and residues — the resin softeners and wrinkle treatments applied to a great deal of conventional bedding. The win is what is not in it. It also means organic fibres behave differently in the wash; see the care guide.
Care and washing
How should I wash organic cotton and linen?
Cold or warm — 40°C / 105°F at most — on a normal or gentle cycle, using about half the detergent you would normally reach for. Skip fabric softener and dryer sheets entirely: they work by depositing a waxy coating, which is the opposite of what you want on breathable organic cotton or a towel. Skip chlorine bleach too, and use an oxygen-based brightener if you need one. Tumble dry low and take items out slightly damp, or line dry. Fabric-by-fabric detail is in the Laundry & Care Guide.
Why are my new organic towels not absorbent?
Because they still carry natural cotton oils and a little bloom from the loom. Absorbency peaks after about three to five washes — normal, not a defect. If towels stop absorbing later on, fabric softener is almost always the cause.
Will organic cotton shrink?
Organic cotton can relax 2–4% in the first wash, which is why sizing is cut to account for it. Washing cold and drying low keeps shrinkage minimal.
How often should I wash bedding?
Sheets and pillowcases every 7–10 days, duvet covers every two to four weeks, protectors monthly. Wash new items before first use to clear loom dust and open up the weave.
Orders, shipping and returns
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the carrier, destination and item. We do not currently offer a flat rate or a free-shipping threshold. Full terms are in the Shipping Policy.
When will my order arrive?
Most orders begin processing within a few business days. Delivery times vary by item and supplier; estimates are shown at checkout where available, and tracking is emailed once your order ships. We do not publish a single blanket delivery window, because it would not hold true across the catalogue.
Why did my order arrive in more than one parcel?
Our catalogue is fulfilled by a network of organic-goods suppliers, so items in the same order may ship separately and arrive on different days.
What is the return window?
Thirty days from delivery, for items that are unused, unwashed, and in their original packaging with any tags attached. Start every return by emailing info@iorganic.com: because the catalogue is supplier-fulfilled, returns are coordinated item by item and we will send you the right instructions. Full terms are in the Refund & Returns Policy.
Can I return sheets I have already slept on?
No. Bedding and bath textiles are body-contact products, so items that have been opened, laundered or used cannot be returned for hygiene reasons — except where the item is defective or we made an error. This does not affect your statutory rights.
Who pays for return shipping?
You do, unless the item arrived defective or we sent the wrong product, in which case we cover return shipping and refund you in full. Original shipping charges are not refundable on a standard return.
How long do refunds take?
Once a return is received and inspected, approved refunds are issued to the original payment method, typically within 5–10 business days.
Something arrived damaged or incorrect. What do I do?
Email info@iorganic.com within seven days with a photo and your order number, and we will put it right.
Still not answered
If a question is missing, or you think an answer here is wrong, email info@iorganic.com. Factual errors get corrected and logged — see our corrections policy. For what we look for before anything is listed, start with The iOrganic Standard.