Most baby clothes are made with conventional cotton, polyester, nylon or other synthetic materials. Some baby clothes contain stain-, fire- and wrinkle-repellants and artificial dyes. These ingredients can be composed of toxic chemicals that cannot be removed even after washing.
The cotton in conventional cotton clothing is typically grown with pesticides. Not only are these bad for the environment but they are bad for your health. Twenty five percent of the world’s insecticides are used on cotton grown in the U.S. The nine most used cotton pesticides have been classified by the EPA as the most dangerous pesticides.
Furthermore, the manufacture of traditional cotton clothes also uses formaldehyde, bleaches, dyes and fertilizers. Synthetic clothing typically comes from petroleum products, which contain toxic chemicals that can cause allergies and disruption of the immune and reproductive systems. These synthetic fabrics also do not allow baby’s skin to breathe as well, resulting in skin rashes and eczema.
To avoid the risks associated with traditional cotton or synthetic clothing, look for clothes made of chemical-free materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, silk, wool or hemp. Check out our list of natural clothing manufacturers. Keep in mind that “100% natural” does not mean pesticide- or chemical-free.
Same goes for baby’s shoes. Choose materials that are safe and earth-friendly, such as hemp, natural rubber, leather, organic cotton and cork.