Chemicals in Your Clothing? Is It Real, What is the Science Saying, and What You Can Do?
About a year ago (maybe more), I was standing at a dog park with a group of friends. One of them made a passing comment, something like, “Yeah, well, now I can't shop at [insert a store we all love but I’ll leave to your imagination for defamation purposes] because of the chemicals in the clothing.”
Honestly, I didn’t think much of it, despite having been on a wellness journey for nearly a decade. At that point, I wasn’t ready to add another thing to the laundry list of, well, ‘things.’ Over the year that followed, I started thinking about my shopping habits through the lens of sustainability and being “ballin’ on a budget,” as the cool kids say.
I started wanting to buy clothing that would last for decades, rather than the fast fashion options. Still, this shift was slow, and I didn’t think twice about the chemicals in the clothing—until this past summer when I needed a quick wardrobe update.
You see, I was sitting in my office in June. Denver is very hot, and suddenly I needed cooler clothes that were also professional. After work, I ran to said store, grabbed five t-shirts, and started wearing them like good old Steve Jobs with his uniform. Each morning, I’d put on one of my t-shirts and work slacks and head to work without a second thought.
Three months later, I had added a few colors to my rotation, but I had worn the same $10 tee all summer. I noticed something interesting: my body odor began to change—and not for the better. Now, was this a direct result of wearing the t-shirts? Maybe, maybe not. I was also going through a high-stress time at work, so it could have been related to that. Still, it inspired me to do some research and finally explore that comment made by my friend many months earlier. The questions I wanted answers to were: Are my clothes killing me? (Being dramatic here—don’t get scared) and if so, is there anything we can actually do about it?
This article summarizes what I found and my personal plan for making a change. I’ll also link to the article from which my summary came, which includes all of the scientific research backing the claims made here.
Are There Chemicals in Our Clothing?
The simple answer is yes, chemicals are present in almost every item of clothing you own. From pesticides and dyes to stain repellents, finishes, flame retardants, and preservatives, the fabrics we wear are often treated with a wide range of chemicals. These chemicals are used throughout the production process to achieve desired colors, textures, and durability. While some of these chemicals are harmless, others can pose serious health risks.
It should also be noted that the addition of chemicals in clothing happens at various stages of the textile manufacturing process, which often takes place in different countries with varying standards of regulation. This makes it difficult to trace exactly what chemicals are used at each stage of production.
Common chemicals added include, but are not limited to:
Dyes and pigments for color
Flame retardants to prevent fire hazards
Phthalates and BPA for plastic-based fibers
Preservatives to prevent mold or mildew
Can These Chemicals Actually Get Absorbed Into Our Skin?
Unfortunately, the answer is also yes. One study on the flame retardant often added to clothing, Tris(2, 3-dibromopropyl) phosphate, was found in urine samples of those who came into contact with treated clothing. What's worse is that this particular compound is a known mutagen and carcinogen—bummer. So while I don’t think anyone knows for sure if every single compound is absorbed through the skin (and if you do, holla at your girl, let's have a chat on the podcast), what we do know is that some are.
It is thought that not only can the chemicals added to clothing be absorbed by the skin, but they can also be inhaled or ingested, especially when they are released into the environment as dust or through washing.
Does the Type of Material Matter?
Probably not. While some might think that naturally occurring fibers such as cotton, linen, wool, denim, and silk are less chemical-ridden than their synthetic counterparts like polyester, nylon, rayon, and spandex, the reality is that all textiles, regardless of their base fiber, require extensive processing. This often involves chemical treatments to enhance properties like color, texture, and durability.
Why Were These Chemicals Added in the First Place?
Let’s not go down a conspiracy theory rabbit hole here. I don’t believe it was with malicious intent that chemicals were added to our clothing. For decades, consumers have demanded stain-resistant materials and vibrant colors. The result? Chemicals were added. Flame retardants, for example—did you know that a third of all household fires were caused by textiles? Hence, flame retardants were added to clothing.
The second reason is that from 1976-2006, the EPA had very little power when it came to regulating these chemicals. Between those years, of the 86,000 chemicals released, fewer than ten were regulated. Yeesh. Luckily, a bill was passed in 2006 to give them more regulatory authority, but with 86,000 chemicals, there’s no way we’re catching up anytime soon.
What About Our Bodies' Ability to Detox?
I remember being a young twenty-year-old nutrition student, sitting in my classes and hearing over and over again that our bodies are made for detoxification. That was always the argument as to why organic didn’t matter. For a long time, I believed this rhetoric to be truth.
Then the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released a study showing that newborns were born with 358 chemicals in their bodies. Another study showed that 59 potentially harmful chemicals were present in newborns at birth.
Theories are arising that these chemicals can be endocrine-disrupting, gut microbiome-altering, and carcinogenic. Other scientists working in the field of autism believe there might be a chemical "load"—so to speak—where small amounts aren’t necessarily detrimental, but it is the compounding of chemicals over time that alters our health. I’ll link a great podcast episode on this here for you.
CertificationS
After some intense rabbit-hole research (thank you, ADHD hyperfixation of the day), I found that there are actually a lot of clothing brands that are trying—and succeeding—at doing better. Organic clothing is on the rise. You're welcome, because you will probably get Instagram ads from here on out. But organic textiles alone are not enough. Why? Well, because even if a company claims they use 100% organic cotton, they could still be adding harmful chemicals in the production process.
Luckily, I found a few certifications you can look for.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)—that confirms that not only are the materials in the certified item organic, but they are also void of harmful pesticides and processed without toxic chemicals.
GOTS is usually advertised on the website, but within clothing brands, be sure to check each individual clothing item (under certifications) to validate. I’ll link some brands that offer GOTS-certified clothing below. As a fun little bonus for those of you on a sustainability journey, GOTS also verifies fair trade, ethical work environments, and sustainable materials. Yay!
OCS (organic content standard). This certification ensures that products are not only produced organically but maintain their organic nature throughout every step of the processing.
OEKO TEX tests products to ensure they are free from harmful chemicals as well as practice sustainability.
Choose Empowerment Over Fear
Based on this information, I am choosing to make some changes to the way I shop. (I’ll share my protocol below for you to follow if you so choose.) That being said, I want to remind you that we don’t have to change everything overnight. Focus on small changes over time. Maybe changing your clothes isn’t calling to you—that’s okay. It isn’t about the “one thing”; it’s about our overall lifestyle. So if you’re choosing to focus on cleaning products this week, month, or even year, great! Remember, each step we take toward our health is positive, and it doesn’t need to all happen overnight.
My Plan
***When new items are purchased, DO NOT WASH WITH REGULAR clothing. The chemicals can be cross-contaminated through laundry. Keep your “clean clothes” separate, washing them in their own load.***
As budget allows tackle clothing and textiles in this order. I’ve linked items for you in each category (and will continue to do so on my LTK for your ease).
Focus on replacing base layers first.
Basics like t-shirts or items that come into direct contact with the skin
Pants / Leggings / Jeans
Move to outer layers: jackets, vests, etc
Resources and Brands
Again always double check that the products you are purchasing are GOTS certified.
Women’s + Men’s Clothing:
Textiles and Bedding:
Children’s Clothing:
