Shopping Non-Toxic for Back-to-School

Back-to-school shopping usually means finding the right sizes, sticking to a budget, and checking off the supply list before the first day. What rarely gets discussed is how those new clothes and shoes are treated before they ever reach the store.

Most of us read clothing labels to check fiber content or washing instructions. What labels don’t tell you is what chemical treatments may have been applied during manufacturing to resist stains, repel water, stay wrinkle-free, or fight odors. In many cases, manufacturers aren’t required to disclose these finishing treatments at all.

That doesn’t mean every new shirt is dangerous or that you need to replace an entire wardrobe. However, a few smart shopping habits can meaningfully reduce unnecessary chemical exposure without making back-to-school shopping any more complicated than it already is.

“100% Cotton” Doesn’t Mean Chemical-Free

This is the biggest misconception in shopping for cleaner clothing, and it’s worth getting right before anything else.

The fiber itself may be natural, but that says nothing about the chemical treatments applied after the fabric is made.

The PFAS problem with stain-resistant clothing. Researchers testing stain-resistant children’s clothing from several major brands found detectable levels of PFAS, “forever chemicals”, in every sample analyzed. Some of the highest levels were found in garments made entirely from cotton. The reason: cotton naturally absorbs water, so to make it repel spills, manufacturers apply chemical finishes. Those finishes, not the cotton, are the concern.

If a shirt, pair of pants, or school uniform advertises stain resistance, that’s a reason to keep looking.

Skip Wrinkle-Free and Permanent Press When You Can

Wrinkle-free and permanent-press clothing is convenient, but those finishes often rely on resins that can release formaldehyde over time.

Formaldehyde is a well-known skin irritant and one of the most common causes of textile-related contact dermatitis. People with eczema, sensitive skin, or unexplained itching sometimes notice significant improvement just by avoiding these fabric treatments.

That stiff, chemical smell on a brand-new dress shirt? There’s a good chance finishing treatments is part of it.

Untreated fabrics wrinkle more. That’s the tradeoff, and it’s an easy one to make.

Be Skeptical of “Odor-Fighting” and “Antimicrobial” Claims

Walk through any athletic clothing section, and you’ll see:

• Odor-resistant
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-odor technology
• Bacteria-fighting fabric

These treatments have become routine in socks, workout clothes, uniforms, athletic shoes, and performance fabrics. They sound appealing, but they typically come from chemical finishes applied during manufacturing, not from the fabric itself.

Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool already breathe well and manage moisture effectively without antimicrobial coatings. Unless there’s a specific functional reason to need these features, I skip them.

Always Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them

This is the easiest low-tox habit available, and it costs nothing.

New clothing often contains leftover manufacturing chemicals, excess dyes, finishing agents, and residues picked up during production, packaging, and shipping. A thorough wash removes much of what remains on the fabric’s surface before it comes into contact with your child’s skin.

For anything labeled stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, or permanent press, I wash it two or even three times before wearing it. It’s not a perfect fix, but every wash reduces surface residues.

Prioritize Natural Fibers for What’s Worn Closest to the Body

Not every piece of clothing has equal skin contact. A rain jacket worn over several layers is very different from underwear or socks that stay against the skin all day.

Where to focus first:

• Underwear and socks
• T-shirts and base layers
• Pajamas (worn 8–10 hours every night)
• School uniforms worn directly against the skin

Preferred materials:

• Organic cotton
• Untreated cotton
• Linen
• Wool
• Hemp

Bamboo can be comfortable, but many bamboo textiles undergo extensive chemical processing before becoming soft fabric, which is worth checking.

Certifications worth looking for:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): covers both fiber origin and manufacturing chemistry
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: screens finished products for a broad range of harmful substances

These certifications are among the quickest, most reliable shortcuts when comparing similar products on the shelf.

Secondhand Is Often the Cleaner Choice

Buying secondhand isn’t just good for the budget; it’s often one of the simplest ways to reduce chemical exposure.

Clothing that’s been worn and washed dozens of times has already shed much of the manufacturing residue and surface treatments that new garments may still carry. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and hand-me-downs from family often offer two real benefits at once: lower cost and less residual finishing chemistry. It’s one of the few situations where saving money and making a healthier choice line up perfectly.

What to Look for in Kids’ Shoes

Shoes don’t get as much attention as clothing, but they’re another everyday source of synthetic materials. Many athletic shoes contain multiple layers of plastic foam, synthetic fabrics, petroleum-based adhesives, rubber compounds, and antimicrobial inserts.

That “new shoe smell” is VOCs off-gassing from the materials used during manufacturing. It’s worth taking seriously, especially for shoes that go on within an hour of purchase.

Simpler materials to look for:

• Leather
• Suede
• Canvas

These materials tend to be simpler than those used in heavily engineered synthetic sneakers. I also avoid antimicrobial insoles whenever possible.

Before wearing new shoes: let them air out in a garage, on a covered porch, or somewhere with ventilation for a day or two. The heaviest off-gassing happens in the first hours and days.

Don’t Skip the Backpack

Backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil cases, and insulated lunch bags are commonly made from vinyl, polyester, polyurethane coatings, and other plastic materials. That strong chemical smell on a new backpack is the same off-gassing that happens with new shoes, just in a bag your child carries against their back for hours every day.

Before the school year starts:

1. Open every zipper and compartment
2. Remove all packaging and stuffing
3. Let it sit open in a well-ventilated space for 1–2 days
4. Wipe down any hard interior surfaces if possible

Takes five minutes and meaningfully reduces initial chemical emissions.

The Back-to-School Checklist

Clothing:

• Skip stain-resistant and PFAS-treated items
• Avoid wrinkle-free and permanent-press finishes when possible
• Pass on antimicrobial clothing unless functionally necessary
• Wash every new garment before wearing, 2–3 times for treated fabrics
• Prioritize natural fibers for items worn closest to the skin
• Look for GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification when available
• Consider secondhand as a lower-residue, lower-cost option

Shoes and backpacks:

• Choose leather, suede, or canvas shoes over synthetic sneakers when practical
• Let new shoes air out before wearing
• Air out new backpacks and lunch bags for 1–2 days before use

Frequently Asked Questions

Is stain-resistant children’s clothing safe? Research has raised significant concerns. Studies testing stain-resistant children’s clothing from major brands have found detectable PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in every sample analyzed, including some garments made from 100% cotton. PFAS are used to create water- and stain-repellent finishes and are associated with potential endocrine disruption and long-term health concerns. For school clothes worn daily, avoiding stain-resistant treatments and choosing untreated fabrics is a practical precaution.

What does OEKO-TEX certification mean for clothing? OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is an independent certification that tests finished textile products for a broad range of potentially harmful substances, including pesticide residues, heavy metals, formaldehyde, certain dyes, and other chemical additives. It applies to every component of a garment, fabric, thread, buttons, and dyes, and represents one of the most accessible quality indicators for consumers shopping in mainstream stores. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is broader, covering both organic fiber content and manufacturing chemistry throughout the supply chain.

Why should you wash new clothes before wearing them? New clothing carries residues from manufacturing processes, excess dyes, finishing treatments, and chemicals picked up during production, packaging, and transport. Washing before first wear removes much of what remains on the fabric surface. For clothes with stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, or antimicrobial treatments, washing two or three times before wearing reduces surface residues more effectively than a single wash.

Are PFAS really in children’s clothing? Yes, research has confirmed their presence. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in textile treatments to create water- and stain-repellency. Studies have found them in children’s clothing from major brands, including items labeled 100% cotton, because the PFAS is in the finishing treatment applied to the fabric after weaving, not in the fiber itself. PFAS are of concern because they persist in the body and environment and have been associated with hormone disruption and other health effects in research.

What is the safest fabric for children’s school clothes? Untreated organic cotton, linen, and wool are generally considered the safest choices for children’s clothing, particularly for items worn directly against the skin, such as underwear, socks, and T-shirts. These natural fibers don’t require the chemical treatments that create stain, wrinkle, or odor resistance, and they breathe well enough that antimicrobial coatings aren’t functionally necessary. GOTS-certified organic cotton provides the additional assurance that manufacturing chemistry is also restricted.

Is secondhand clothing safer than new clothing? Often, yes. Clothing that has been worn and washed many times has already shed much of the manufacturing residue, excess dye, and surface chemical treatments that new garments may still carry. Secondhand clothing is also significantly cheaper, making it one of the few areas where a lower-exposure choice is more affordable. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and family hand-me-downs are all reasonable sources.

 

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