6 Tips for Finding Non-Toxic Clothing | Not Basics
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Time to Read: 4 min
In this blog:
Why Are Toxic Chemicals Used in Clothing? How Do Toxic Chemicals in Clothing Impact the Environment and Our Health? On the environment On human health How Can I Avoid Harmful Substances in Clothing? Be mindful of materials Avoid ultra-fast fashion Choose organic fabrics Check for certifications Wash new clothes before wearing Shop from ethical brands and do your research The Benefits of Organic Materials Certifications to Look For and What They Mean GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard OCS (Organic Content Standard) OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Shop Our Organic Cotton Clothing
Did you know that toxins in ultra-fast fashion clothing can be way above the healthy level? In fact, a 2022 study by the Royal Society of Chemistry found that lead, PFAS, and phthalates in ultra-fast fashion items frequently exceeded regulatory limits, with some products containing almost 20 times the legal limit. These brands have repeatedly been found to fail meeting legal requirements for the health and safety of consumers .
As consumers, it’s easy to trust that brands are creating clothing in a healthy way, but sadly this isn’t always the case. With the rise of ultra-fast fashion over the years, truths about the toxins and harmful chemicals in clothing have started to surface, making sustainable fashion choices more important than ever.
While care labels on clothing mention the materials used in the garment, they don't cover the chemicals that play a big role in the production of the item. So how can you find non-toxic clothing?
In this blog post, we’ll share our 6 tips for finding healthier clothing in today’s world of ultra-fast fashion.
Why Are Toxic Chemicals Used in Clothing?
First, let's dive into why toxic chemicals are so commonly used in the clothing industry. Many dyes, finishes, and treatments - like wrinkle resistance, stain repellents, and flame retardants - rely on synthetic chemicals to achieve their desired effects. Unfortunately, these chemicals can often be harmful to both the environment and our health.
The ultra-fast fashion industry is particularly notorious for cutting corners, prioritising speed and low costs over safety - of both their workers and ours, the consumers. This leads to a greater prevalence of harmful substances in cheap, mass-produced clothing, making the search for chemical-free clothing increasingly difficult. The problem is, these fast-fashion brands produce trending clothing at unbelievably fast rates, and offer them at incredibly low prices, making it easily accessible to the masses.
How Do Toxic Chemicals in Clothing Impact the Environment and Our Health?
The impact of toxic chemicals in clothing is widespread, extending far beyond your own wardrobe.
On the environment
The sad reality is that production and disposal of chemically-treated fabrics pollute water sources and harm ecosystems. Factories often release untreated dye water containing hazardous chemicals directly into rivers and streams.
On top of that, synthetic fibres like polyester, shed microplastics that remain in the environment for centuries. When washed, these plastic microfibres enter the water systems as they’re too small to be trapped by filters. Research published in Environmental Science and Technology reveals that a single load of laundry containing synthetic fabrics can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibres into waterways.
On human health
Wearing clothing with harmful chemicals can lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and exposure to endocrine disruptors, which can affect hormonal balance.
When these clothes are washed, toxins can leach into waterways, contaminating drinking water and affecting public health.
Unfortunately, many ultra-fast fashion brands don’t disclose the levels of chemicals in their garments, such as lead and phthalates, which naturally can have detrimental consequences to our health.
How Can I Avoid Harmful Substances in Clothing and Focus on Non-Toxic Clothing?
We understand that this information can be overwhelming, so here are six practical tips to help you make better, safer clothing choices and be well on your way to creating an eco-friendly wardrobe:
Be mindful of materials
Opt for natural fibres like organic cotton, hemp, and linen over synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, which often contain chemical additives.
Avoid ultra-fast fashion
Brands that focus on speed and quantity often cut corners when it comes to safety and sustainability. Prioritise quality over quantity.
Choose organic fabrics
Organic fibres are grown without harmful pesticides and processed with fewer toxic chemicals. Look for certifications to ensure authenticity and add truly sustainable fashion pieces to your wardrobe.
Check for certifications
Certifications like GOTS, OCS, and OEKO-TEX ensure that the clothing meets strict safety and environmental standards.
Wash new clothes before wearing
This can help remove some residual chemicals from the manufacturing process.
Shop from ethical brands and do your research
One of our goals is to be as transparent about our journey and manufacturing processes as possible - you can read more about it here! We don’t promise to solve the world’s sustainability issues, but we do promise to keep our journey wide open and strive to create non-toxic clothing for everyday wear.
The Benefits of Organic Materials
Organic materials are not only safer for your health but also better for the environment. Organic cotton, for example, is grown without toxic pesticides, reducing water contamination and promoting soil health. Clothing made from organic materials is often softer and more breathable, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin and a cornerstone of any chemical-free clothing collection..
Certifications to Look For and What They Mean
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard - Ensures that textiles are made from organic fibres and meet high environmental and social criteria throughout production.
OCS (Organic Content Standard) - The Organic Content Standard is an international, voluntary standard that provides chain of custody verification for materials originating on a farm certified to recognised national organic standards. The standard is used to verify organically grown raw materials from the farm to the final product.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 - Tests finished textiles for harmful substances, ensuring the safety of every component, from threads to zippers.
If you have more questions you’d like answered, feel free to email us at hello@notbasics.co.uk, or drop us a DM! We’re always happy to help.
Just as you check your ingredients when cooking or purchasing skincare, being mindful about the materials in your clothing is just as important when building an eco-friendly wardrobe. It’s definitely not impossible, especially when opting for organic materials and looking out for the certifications mentioned. Let these tips guide you towards non-toxic clothing options. And remember, by making thoughtful choices, you can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals and support a healthier planet.
