WHAT CAN WE DO?

What to Wear?

Luckily there are meaningful, actionable changes we can make and things we can be aware of: 

• The worst and most hazardous chemicals are used in conventional textiles, so buying certified GOTS, Cradle to Cradle, Bluesign and OEKO-TEX are the best ways to purchase nontoxic apparel. GOTS cotton and wool, for example are free of pesticides, herbicides, NPEs, and GMOs, and dyed without harmful chemicals such as chlorine bleach, formaldehyde and heavy metals.

• By purchasing second-hand clothing, you can have the peace of mind that the product has been washed multiple times, which helps to remove chemical residue. If you are not a second-hand shopper, make sure to wash your clothes with detergent for sensitive skin to reduce exposure to formaldehyde and other harmful treatments. Poshmark, eBay, ThredUp, and TheRealReal are great examples. When you enter consignment stores, it’s always worth asking if they apply any anti-mold treatments to the products, as they can be harmful as well. 

• For waterproof, stain-resistant, and outdoor apparel, look for PFAS-free products listed on our website. 

• It’s important to understand how clothing fibers are processed. Take hemp, which prior to processing, is wonderful for the environment. Hemp can even positively impact the environment by extracting pollutants such as zinc and mercury from the soil. The fiber does not require the use of harsh chemical pesticides or fertilizers to grow, nor does it require large amounts of water. But what do we know, is what happens to that fiber once it is processed? Processing chemicals are most likely to touch the skin of the consumer. Look into a brand’s website to see if they have chemical management policies for their manufacturing facilities. 

• Don't buy into "eco-friendly bamboo" marketing when it comes to apparel unless you are specifically buying bamboo lyocell, which is made in a closed-loop cycle that replaces the harsh chemicals with an organic solution. The bamboo fiber is extremely tough and typically requires harsh chemicals to break down. Monocel is a brand of eco-friendly fabric that is just as strong and soft as cotton but is made from bamboo lyocell and is OEKO-TEX or Bluesign certified. 

• Remember that "organic" apparel does not mean the product is safe or nontoxic. It only means the farmers and farming communities were protected from harmful pesticides and herbicides – which is great! But plenty of chemicals are added during processing. Move towards purchasing organic fabric that is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which has strong safety requirements for fabrics from farm to store. 

• Look for brands that have a Manufacturing Restricted Substance List (MRSL) or a Restricted Substance List (RSL). Determine if brands have a chemical management policy. Does the brand know who its suppliers are? These are things to look for on a brand's sustainability page (Not a good sign if they don’t have a sustainability page). 

• You can tell a lot by the brand's Sustainability page. Look for brands that are clearly measuring themselves. There is little likelihood of brands reaching their sustainability goals if there is no measurement of progress. 

• Beware of "the new clothing smell.” It often means there are formaldehyde residues on the clothing. Return these items if they have this strong odor and no matter what, always wash your clothes before wearing. 

• Always wash your clothing before wearing

• Children can often put their clothing or metal ornamentation into their mouths. Avoid clothing with metal that could reach a child’s mouth. 

• Finally, sign our pledge to show that you care about a toxic-free fashion industry and take a look at our Blueprint to know what questions to ask your favorite brands.

• Follow us on social media @fashion_fwd and use our hashtag #noroomfortoxicity to spread the word.