Hidden Chemicals in Clothing:
What You Should Know
Practical Resources for Creating a Healthier,
Low-Tox Life in New Zealand
Toxic Exposure through Clothing: Is this Really a Thing?
Most people think carefully about the food they eat and the products they put on their skin, yet few consider what their clothing may contain. Modern textiles are often treated with a wide range of chemicals designed to improve appearance, durability, stain resistance, wrinkle resistance, water repellency, and colourfastness.
Although research into chemical exposure from wearing clothing is still limited, we do know that many of the substances used during textile manufacturing are hazardous and that the skin—the body’s largest organ—is capable of absorbing certain chemicals. For this reason, many health-conscious consumers are choosing to reduce unnecessary exposure wherever practical.
Why Clothing Can Be a Source of Chemical Exposure
During manufacturing, fabrics may be treated with thousands of different chemicals before they reach the shop. These treatments can remain in the finished garment and may be released through skin contact, off-gassing, or the shedding of microscopic fibres over time.
Heat, perspiration, and tight-fitting clothing may increase skin contact with textile finishes, while new clothing often emits noticeable chemical odours from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Textile fibres can also become airborne through normal wear and laundering, contributing to indoor dust that may be inhaled or ingested, particularly by young children and pets.
While scientists continue to study the extent of these exposures, reducing unnecessary contact with potentially harmful chemicals is a sensible precaution.
Common Chemicals Found in Textiles
More than 2,000 chemicals are used throughout the textile industry. Some of the most common include:
- Formaldehyde – Used to reduce wrinkles, improve stain resistance, prevent shrinkage, and preserve colour. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and may also cause skin and respiratory irritation.
- Azo Dyes – Widely used synthetic dyes that provide vibrant colours. Some azo dyes can break down into compounds that have been linked to cancer, leading to restrictions in parts of Europe.
- Phthalates – Often found in synthetic leather, waterproof clothing, and plastic-coated fabrics. These chemicals are recognised as endocrine disruptors and have been associated with reproductive and developmental concerns.
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) – Sometimes called “forever chemicals,” PFAS are used to create water-, oil-, and stain-resistant fabrics. They persist in the environment and have been associated with immune, liver, thyroid, and cholesterol effects.
- Dimethylformamide (DMF) – Used in the production of synthetic fibres and dyes. Occupational studies have shown that it is readily absorbed through the skin and may affect liver health.
- Petroleum-Based Solvents – Chemicals such as xylene, toluene, and benzene derivatives are used during textile production and may contribute to skin irritation, headaches, dizziness, and other health concerns with significant exposure.
Other chemicals commonly used during textile manufacturing include flame retardants, antimicrobial treatments, optical brighteners, solvent residues, and pesticide residues from conventionally grown cotton.
Natural Doesn't Always Mean Chemical-Free
Natural fibres such as cotton, wool, linen, hemp, and silk are generally preferable to fully synthetic fabrics, but fibre type is only part of the picture.
Conventionally grown cotton is one of the world’s most chemically intensive crops, and the manufacturing process can involve bleaching, dyeing, finishing agents, and other chemical treatments. Choosing certified organic textiles helps reduce both agricultural chemicals and many of the processing chemicals used during manufacturing.
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Exposure
You don’t need to replace your entire wardrobe overnight. Small changes can significantly reduce your overall exposure over time.
Some practical steps include:
- Always wash new clothing, bedding, and towels well before using them.
- Choose natural fibres as much as possible. Wool, organic cotton, silk, linen and other natural fabrics are available in New Zealand as well as online.
- Replace items that spend the most time against your skin—such as leggings, underwear, sleepwear, socks, and bed linens—with higher-quality natural fiber fabrics or organic alternatives as soon as possible.
- Limit heavily treated “performance” fabrics unless their specialised features are necessary.
- Air out new clothing before wearing it if it has a strong chemical smell.
- Look for recognised certifications such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, which help limit harmful chemicals in finished textiles.
Making Better Choices
The textile industry has transformed dramatically over the past century, with synthetic fibres and chemical treatments becoming standard throughout the manufacturing process. While these innovations have made clothing cheaper and more durable, they have also introduced thousands of chemicals into products we wear every day.
Research into long-term exposure from clothing continues to evolve, but choosing certified textiles, favouring natural fibres, and reducing unnecessary chemical exposure are practical steps that can support both personal health and environmental wellbeing.
Every purchase sends a message. By choosing safer, better-quality clothing whenever possible, consumers can help encourage greater transparency and cleaner manufacturing practices throughout the textile industry.
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More and more chemical-based products are making their way into New Zealand homes, exposing us to some harmful toxins through our food, water supplies, personal care products, the cleaners under our sink, and more. It’s rarely one dramatic event that causes us harm. It’s the repeated, low-level exposure over time that disrupts hormones, weakens immunity, and can lead to unwanted symptoms or illnesses.
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