The Hidden Chemicals in Clothing: Why Every New Garment Deserves a Wash

Abstract

Even the softest new clothes carry chemical residues from dyeing, printing, and finishing processes. Many of these substances—such as azo dyes, heavy metals, phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—pose potential health and environmental risks. This article explains how such chemicals persist in fabrics, why infants and young children are especially vulnerable, and how both manufacturers and consumers can minimize exposure through safer materials, testing, and simple washing practices.

Introduction

Modern garments undergo complex chemical treatments for coloration, softness, and performance. From the bleaching of raw fibre to the final wrinkle-free or water-repellent finish, each step leaves behind trace chemicals. While regulations restrict some hazardous substances, no fabric is entirely free of residues. These residues can leach when garments are worn or washed, sometimes affecting sensitive skin or contributing to environmental pollution (Kant, 2012; Greenpeace, 2016).

Common Chemicals Found in Clothing

Chemical Group	Typical Use in Textiles	Health/Environmental Concern	Risk Mitigation
Azo dyes & aromatic amines	Colouration of cotton, viscose	Some degrade to carcinogenic amines; may cause allergic dermatitis	Use azo-free dyes; OEKO-TEX® certification
Heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cd)	Metal-complex dyes, pigments, mordants	Toxicity, bioaccumulation, organ damage	Use non-metal dyes; test via ICP-OES
Formaldehyde resins	Anti-crease finishing	Respiratory irritation, skin allergy	Low-formaldehyde or formaldehyde-free resins
Phthalates	Softening of plastics in prints	Endocrine disruption, developmental effects	Replace with non-phthalate plasticizers
PFAS (“forever chemicals”)	Water/stain-repellent finishes	Persistent organic pollutants, thyroid & reproductive impacts	Switch to fluorine-free repellents
Organotin compounds	Antimicrobial/anti-odour agents	Toxic to liver & immune system	Ban under ZDHC MRSL; avoid tin catalysts
Optical brighteners	Whitening, optical effect	Skin sensitization, aquatic toxicity	Use restricted formulations or omit

(Sources: Kant, 2012; Danish EPA, 2013; UNEP, 2020)

Image Credit: RVSORA

Why Infant Clothing Requires Special Caution

Infant skin is thinner, more permeable, and has a higher surface area relative to body weight. Clothing remains in prolonged contact with the skin, often under moisture and heat, which enhances chemical transfer (Habeeb et al., 2020). Babies also mouth clothing, increasing ingestion risk.

Even small chemical residues may therefore cause rashes or sensitization. Studies have detected formaldehyde, nonylphenol ethoxylates, and heavy metals in infant garments exceeding recommended limits (Sharma & Patel, 2021).
International standards such as OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I and GB 31701 (China) specifically limit such residues for baby textiles.

Testing and Certification Practices

Ethical brands increasingly test for residual chemicals before garments reach consumers. Key testing protocols include:

Azo dye cleavage tests (EN 14362-1/-3)
Formaldehyde content (ISO 14184-1)
Heavy metal extraction (EN ISO 105-E04)
Phthalate & PFAS screening (GC-MS, LC-MS/MS)
Adhering to standards such as ZDHC MRSL, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX® ensures supply-chain accountability and safer consumer products (ZDHC Foundation, 2023).

Preventive Measures for Consumers

While comprehensive regulation and brand testing are essential, individuals can take simple, effective steps:

Always wash new garments before first use. Studies show that a single wash can remove 30–60 % of surface chemicals (Gao et al., 2019).
Use mild, pH ≈ 5.5 detergents—especially for infant wear—to avoid skin irritation and preserve fabric.
Choose certified textiles (OEKO-TEX®, GOTS) and avoid heavily finished or intensely dyed products for babies.
Prefer natural fibres like organic cotton or Tencel with minimal chemical finishing.
Air new garments for a few hours to allow volatile residues (e.g., formaldehyde) to dissipate.

Implications for the Textile Industry

For manufacturers and quality managers:

Adopt closed-loop dyeing and finishing systems to reduce chemical discharge.
Implement Residual Chemical Content (RCC) testing in final inspections.
Use low-impact dyes, enzymatic finishes, and waterless technologies where possible.
Maintain transparency in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all auxiliaries.
Sustainable practices not only protect workers and consumers but also align with global brand procurement requirements.

Conclusion

Every coloured, printed, or finished garment bears the chemical footprint of its production. For infants, this footprint can have disproportionate effects, yet preventive steps are simple: wash before wear, use mild detergents, and choose certified fabrics. For the textile sector, greater disclosure and testing reinforce both safety and trust. Chemical safety is thus not an afterthought—it is part of the garment’s true quality.

🧾 Safe Clothing Checklist

For Parents & Consumers	For Textile Brands & Manufacturers
✅ Always wash new garments before first wear — especially baby clothes.	✅ Test for residual chemicals (azo dyes, formaldehyde, PFAS, phthalates).
🧴 Use mild, pH ≈ 5.5 detergent to remove loose dye and finishes.	⚙️ Adopt OEKO-TEX®, GOTS, or ZDHC MRSL compliance for all auxiliaries.
👶 Prefer organic cotton or certified babywear with low-chemical finishes.	🧪 Substitute hazardous auxiliaries with enzymatic or low-impact options.
🚫 Avoid bright synthetic prints or heavily perfumed “finished” clothes for infants.	♻️ Move toward closed-loop dyeing and sustainable effluent treatment.
🌬 Air garments before storage to release volatile residues.	📊 Maintain traceability and publish chemical-safety test reports.

References

Danish EPA. (2013). Survey of chemical substances in textile products. Copenhagen: Environmental Protection Agency.
Gao, Y., et al. (2019). “Removal of textile auxiliaries by domestic washing.” Textile Research Journal, 89(14), 2797-2805.
Greenpeace. (2016). Toxic Threads: The Big Fashion Stitch-Up. Amsterdam: Greenpeace International.
Habeeb, M., Khan, S., & Yadav, A. (2020). “Dermal exposure and chemical risk in infant textiles.” Journal of Environmental Health Research, 30(3), 201-210.
Kant, R. (2012). “Textile dyeing industry: An environmental hazard.” Natural Science, 4(1), 22-26.
Sharma, P., & Patel, K. (2021). “Assessment of hazardous chemicals in children’s clothing.” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 193(5), 311.
UNEP. (2020). Chemicals in textiles: Risks to human health and the environment. Geneva: United Nations Environment Programme.
ZDHC Foundation. (2023). Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) v3.0. Amsterdam: ZDHC.

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