Do Your Clothes Have Toxic Chemicals in Them? A Simple Guide to Cleaner Shopping

You spend almost all your life in clothing. Do you know where what you wear comes from?

You know the perils of GMOs and pesticides on food. You also know how harmful toxin-filled home cleaners can be. But did you know your clothes can also be filled with chemicals?

Living a green and clean life is a constant challenge in today’s world. Here are some basics that’ll help you navigate and explore cleaner clothing options for you and your family.

Last month, the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) did a Marketplace investigation on levels of toxins in clothing.

You’ve most likely heard of the brands in the study given the rise of fast fashion: Shein, AliExpress, and Zaful. What they found was shocking — out of 38 samples of children’s, adults’, and maternity clothes and accessories, 1 in 5 items had elevated levels of chemicals. These aren’t just any chemicals, we’re talking lead, PFAS, and phthalates.

If that isn’t jarring enough, it gets worse.

The scientists found that a jacket for toddlers purchased from Shein contained almost 20 times the amount of lead that Health Canada says is safe for children.

Miriam Diamond, an environmental chemist and professor at the University of Toronto, called the jacket “hazardous waste.”

Big yikes.

This got me thinking about the items hanging in my closet, and how these fabrics affect how I choose to shop.

I’m going to be honest — up until a few years ago, I didn’t consider fabrics as a part of my new-outfit-buying negotiables. My main points of concern were:

1. Is it cute?

2. Does it feel nice when I touch it?

3. Can I afford it?

That said, stats like these paired with the fact that textiles make up 7.7 percent of municipal solid waste in landfills, made me decide for myself that it’s time to do better for myself and the planet. Let’s dive into what you want to avoid, what the healthiest clothing options are, and the best places to shop.

The Good and the Bad — Starting with the Bad

To be frank, most of us have closets packed with items that contain the following fabrics. This isn’t about completely eliminating one type of fabric altogether, but more increasing our awareness when we shop. We’re all learning, after all!

To tackle the issue of bad fabrics versus good (or should I say, better), let’s decipher the two. The least-sustainable fabrics come in two main categories — synthetic and semi-synthetic. The following are examples of synthetics:

• polyester
• nylon
• spandex
• acrylic

These fabrics are created using manmade fibers that come from petrochemicals and are not only toxic to humans and known to increase common skin irritations, but also offer less breathability. Polyester is a plastic and by-product of petroleum that’s strongly linked to hormonal disruption and even the formation of cancer cells.

It makes perfect sense when you think about it — the skin is the largest organ of the body, after all, and naturally soaks up our environment.

Clothes sit directly on the skin, easing that process.

Environmentally, synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable, emit greenhouse gasses and contaminate the copious amounts of water needed for its production and manufacturing. It’s actually reported that the clothing industry is accountable for over 20% of industrial water pollution in the world.

Semi-synthetics are made with cellulose fibers that are come from natural materials like wood pulp, bamboo, and eucalyptus.

Sounds not too bad, right?

Here’s the catch — because of the heavy chemical treatments used to make these fibers into useable fabrics, they’re generally classified as toxic as well.

Examples of semi-synthetics are rayon in its many forms, which comes from wood pulp.

Say Yes to More Sustainable and Natural Alternatives

Here’s the fun part! Let’s jump into tips for shopping more sustainably, mindfully, and better for your body.

While you’re out and about, take a peek at the tags on clothing. This information will tell you just about everything you need to know about the garment and best care practices which will elongate the life of your clothing.

Keep your eyes peeled for natural fiber fabrics like hemp, organic cotton, linen, and lyocell instead of cheaper synthetic options.

Now I realize that it comes across privileged to tell you to buy more expensive, but hear me out.

Although these natural fabrics generally have a higher price point up front, they save money in the long run. Take into consideration that these fabrics last much longer than their synthetic counterparts, reducing the frequent need to replace them.

A tried and true place to look for these items at a lower cost is thrift stores! I’ve lucked out and found 100% natural silk at my local Value Village…these pieces are out there waiting to be found.

If you are shopping new, do some research or ask if the natural fibers are grown and processed using sustainable methods.

Lastly, when purchasing new items for your closet, focus on styles that transition through seasons and can be seamlessly added to current wardrobe favourites. This way, the need for new pieces as the seasons change is cut in half.

I live in Canada, so nothing makes me happier than having one single piece that I can wear every. single. season.

Can I Buy This Locally?

Another way to ensure you’re dressing cleaner is to shop local.

Did you know that when clothes travel long distances, they’re treated with chemicals to prepare them for storage and shipping? Biocides, fungicides, and chemicals like formaldehyde are used to keep fabrics free from pests, mold, and wrinkles during long-haul travel.

If you’ve ever picked up a piece of clothing from your favourite large retailer and felt a film or noticed an odd scent, now you know why.

Always wash your clothing and textiles before using or wearing them! Clothing that’s produced and made closer to you doesn’t need preserving in this way, removing a need for unnecessary toxins.

Basic Questions to Ask Yourself While Shopping

The best way to minimize the supply and demand of clothing made from synthetic materials is to wear what you already have. Make the most of your current favourites!

That said, if you are in the market for some new closet staples, the next time you pick up a hot new top ask yourself the following:

• Is this a style I’ll wear for seasons to come, or am I buying into a trend I might not like 6 months from now?

Social media is notorious for shortening trend cycles, creating heaps of unnecessary textile waste. A great rule of thumb is to stick with classic, timeless styles.

• What material is the garment made from?

We’ve already covered some great alternatives above. If natural fibers aren’t available to you, choose styles made from re-purposed fabrics or second-hand items.

• What are the ethics of the company I’m buying from? Are they transparent about their manufacturing processes?

A great question to reflect on is how did this item get here, who made it, and what did it do to get to me? When possible, shop for clothing made in your country. With a quick Google search, you’ll find countless options for sustainably-driven brands!

• Do I really need new clothes?

We’re all guilty of impulse buys and emotional spending — try to not let it get the best of you. Are there ways other than shopping with which you could occupy yourself?

• Do I actually love it?

If this is a piece of clothing you’ve had on your wish list for ages, get it. If the thought of it keeps you up at night, also get it.

Big Change is Possible

The bottom line?

We shouldn’t be afraid to ask where our clothing was made, and how.

The more we talk about production in the fashion and textile industry, the more pressure we put on brands to produce garments that are better for our bodies and the environment. We’ve got this!

What are some of your favourite clean-fashion brands? Drop them in the comments below!