Chemicals are routinely used in clothing manufacture, but some, like PFAS and phthalates, are harmful. Here are the ones to be aware of, and the brands working to avoid chemicals.
Toxic chemicals are still showing up in fashion. Considering how you interact with chemicals is nothing new, whether it’s the foods you eat, the skincare you use, the products you use in your home, or the things you wear. But there has been a growing interest in what’s in our clothes recently as reports show some fast fashion brands are selling clothes containing harmful substances, and that loopholes in shipping practices allow this to happen.
In 2025, a Greenpeace investigation tested 56 garments from SHEIN and found that 18 of them, including children’s clothes, contained hazardous chemicals above the limits set by the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH). The report noted that due to the way sellers on SHEIN ship products—namely directly to the consumer—they can circumvent the region’s REACH regulations, which help to protect humans and the environment from the risks and harm posed by certain chemicals by addressing the way chemicals are tested, used, and managed in the European Union.
Another investigation by authorities in Seoul, South Korea, found harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and dioxane in items from the likes of Temu, AliExpress, and, yes, SHEIN. These latest reports demonstrate that ultra-fast fashion retailers aren’t doing enough to address the issue of harmful chemicals in clothing, as Greenpeace
’s earlier 2022 report contained similar findings. It’s not just fast fashion, either, as a 2023 article by Alden Wicker in The Guardian noted multiple instances of harmful chemicals in clothing, including health issues arising from chemicals in flight attendants’ uniforms, and the industrial chemical BPA being found in sports socks.
It’s not always possible to know what is in the clothes you’re buying, but opting for brands that have sought certified materials or committed to eliminating chemicals from their products is a good approach. We’ve suggested a few such brands and certifications or standards below. First though, check out this need-to-know guide on the chemicals commonly used or discussed in the context of fashion.
Chemicals Used in the Growing Process
Conventional cotton (non-organic) and other plant fibres may be grown using many pesticides, which can linger in the finished product. Pesticides are well-known toxins and have been linked to major health concerns in humans, including respiratory problems and even cancer. When consumers purchase conventional garments, they often overlook the agricultural practices that precede the textile mills, missing the reality that chemical residues can transfer directly from the raw harvest into spun threads and final garments.
The Dyeing Process
Azo dyes are a group of dyes that are used to colour clothing because they are cheap and produce a strong result, but unfortunately they have a carcinogenic nature when they break down. These dyes are banned in the European Union, China, and heavily restricted elsewhere due to their toxicity, but they can still show up in fast fashion clothing produced in other parts of the world. Since azo dyes are water-soluble, this makes them easy for your skin to absorb and, as a result, may cause symptoms including skin and eye irritation, posing ongoing regulatory and public health challenges for importing countries.
The Finishing Process
Clothing labelled as wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant has usually been chemically finished using formaldehyde, since it has excellent preserving properties. This chemical is a carcinogen and has been known to cause skin irritation, and even cause headaches or a sore throat. This chemical has been boycotted by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, who insists that a slightly wrinkled piece of clothing is better than one smothered in chemicals. The reliance on formaldehyde remains widespread across the conventional garment industry, where consumers continuously demand low-maintenance fabrics that resist creasing during long days of wear or travel.
Clothing that is stain- or water-resistant is typically made this way using a group of chemicals called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or PFCS (perfluorocarbons). They are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because of their reluctance to break down in the environment or the human body. Consistent, high exposure to these chemicals can cause a variety of health issues, and is even linked to infertility and certain types of cancer. Although you are unlikely to be highly exposed to these chemicals when simply wearing clothing, it is still important to be aware of them and to avoid them whenever possible to reduce overall environmental accumulation.
Frequently used in activewear and sportswear, phthalates are known endocrine disruptors. They have been found to be linked to hormone disruption and are potentially carcinogenic. Phthalates are often used in decorative printing on clothes, such as logos or rubberized accessories, making them particularly prevalent in athletic gear designed for flexibility and durability under strenuous physical conditions.
When you buy leather goods, chances are they’ve been treated using chromium salts during the tanning process. Chromium can cause respiratory problems and rashes among workers handling the raw hides and consumers wearing the finished items. Plus, chromium is frequently not disposed of correctly by tanneries, resulting in toxic runoff that poisons local ecosystems and water supplies.
Brands Working to Avoid or Reduce Chemicals
It’s not easy to completely avoid chemicals for everything, but here we are sharing some brands that are built on the mission to reduce the amount of chemicals used in their products, that are certified, or that are offering lower-chemical alternatives to product categories that are conventionally very high in chemicals, such as activewear.
Vottera makes basics from certified organic and regenerative cotton. The brand offers regenerative organic cotton t-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and beanies, providing consumers with traceable, cleaner alternatives to conventional cotton garments that often carry pesticide residues and synthetic finishes.
Australian brand Sorella Organics features a certified organic sleepwear range that includes tops, pants, wraps, nighties, and maternity wear. The label’s founder, Anna McGregor, has a background in international human rights work, which is reflected in her use of Fairtrade certified cotton to ensure strict social standards are met in production and trading. The brand proves that prioritizing health, environmental safety, and ethical labor does not have to come at an exorbitant cost to the consumer.
Sustain by Kat produces timeless organic women’s and children’s clothing that is dyed exclusively with plants. As a brand that prioritizes environmental stewardship, it utilizes responsible materials, including Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic cotton, avoiding synthetic heavy metal dyes in favor of lower-impact, plant-based alternatives. Through these choices, the label offers collections designed to protect both the wearer and the planet.
