I love clothes. I love organics. It makes sense that I would combine the two but it can be hard to figure out if organic clothes are really better than what you can get from Target. There are a few issues that come into play when thinking about how healthy your clothing choices are. You can look at it from a personal health standpoint, an environmental standpoint…or equally important, a financial standpoint!! Today, I’m looking at it in relation to your personal health.
You know that new clothes smell? What is that?? Health-wise, it is important to ask…what kind of chemicals and finishes are they using on the clothes I’m buying? Did you know that some wrinkle free finishes are created using formaldehyde? Clothing dyes can also contain formaldehyde. For some people, especially those who work in clothing retail, formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions, such as rashes and breathing problems. The United States Environmental Protection Agency lists formaldehyde as a “probable human carcinogen.” Yikes! And it’s in our clothing? Score one for organics!
But won’t it just wash out? In a study conducted on various textiles, formaldehyde was found in most cotton samples and did not wash out with subsequent washings. The polyester samples, however, were free of formaldehyde.
So, healthwise, it seems that if you’re going to buy cotton clothing, organics would be the best bet. But if you’re buying synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon, acrylic etc.), which do come with their own environmental issues, it seems safe to go ahead and buy it from Walmart or Target or that cute little boutique on main street!
