How To Buy Non-Toxic Clothing

If you have a chronic problem with skin irritation, especially under the arms, on the shoulders, and just above the waistline, the solution may be to buy cotton. Cotton is far less likely to cause skin irritation than synthetic fabrics:

• Nylon isn't a particularly problematic artificial fabric, but it can cause problems if it is given a finish to make it wash-and-wear.
• Rayon is made from wood pulp and lint, and has to be treated with heavy amounts of chemicals to keep it from falling apart.
• Spandex and Lycra are tolerable in small amounts in stretch fabrics, although anything made with more than 10 percent of either material is likely to cause redness, chafing, and irritation.
• Polyester is an especially irritating fabric, made from esters of dihydric alcohol and terephthalic acid, both of which irritate the skin, regardless of whether any other chemicals are added.
• Silk is a natural fabric, but it naturally carries a positive charge, which binds chemicals to the fabric. Some garment makers wash imported silk in Bounce fabric softener.
• Linen is not particularly problematic, but it's also not widely available for clothing.

The best fabric option for most people is high-quality cotton. Cotton is a natural plant fiber that doesn't carry an electrical charge, so it does not attract chemicals. Cotton on your body is soft, durable, comfortable, and washable. Cotton on kids reduces risk of eczema and atopic dermatitis. Although organic cotton is available in the United States, the crop tends to be heavily sprayed while it is still in the fields. Fortunately, agricultural chemicals in cotton mostly wash out. However, there are choices of cotton and  methods of manufacturing cotton that make clothing less toxic.

• Long-staple Egyptian or Pima (Arizona) cotton has a naturally silky feel and doesn't have to be treated with chemicals to feel soft. Cheaper cotton fabrics common in the US are made with short-staple cotton that has to be chemically treated. Expensive cotton fabrics common in the EU are made with long-staple product.
• If you want to make sure you get cotton that is free of formaldehyde, look for "garment-dyed" cotton clothing. Cotton can be dyed when it is still yarn. In the United States, cotton is usually died as fabric before it is cut and sewed into clothes. If the cloth has already been dyed before it is sewed, it can be treated with a formaldehyde-based finish to make sure it doesn't wrinkle. If the clothing is dyed only after it has been sewed together, that is, it is "garment-dyed," it cannot be treated with a formaldehyde finish. This doesn't mean it will be absolutely chemical free, but the only residual chemicals present in garment-dyed clothing are likely to be those used in laundering it before it left the factory.

What else can you do to avoid toxic buildup in clothing? Most of the time it's best to wash in cold water and dry on the line. Heat causes chemical reactions and the release of chemicals from fabric. If lice, mites, or bedbugs are a problem, however, clothes should be dried in the clothes dryer. It's also best not to dry clothes on the line outdoors during pollen season.

READ Laundry Bacteria In Your In Your 'Clean' Clothes: Are You Using The Sick Laundry Cycle?

If ironing seems to set off allergies, the problem may be a sealant in the water chamber in the iron. Norelco and Sunbream brand irons don't use this sealant. You may also want to replace your commercial ironing board cover with flannel secured by paper tape. The best ironing board is covered with an organic fabric.