How to Choose Organic Clothing for Babies and Kids and my Favorite Brands
While we don’t usually think about clothing as a source of toxin exposure, the reality is that the fashion industry is a large user of harmful chemicals and many of these chemicals are left in the clothing we bring home.
If you are new to this non-toxic journey I recommend slowly transitioning to GOTS organic pjs and underwear (and read my last post!) . If you are ready for more, read on!
What should I avoid?
The biggest offenders (for ALL textile products- clothing, bedsheets, towels especially for young children who are more sensitive) include:
synthetic fabrics (includes rayon, polyester, lycra, nylon)
avoid these finishes: ‘wrinkle free’ , ‘water resistant’, ‘shrinkage-free’ “flame resistant’ ‘stain resistant’
What are the safest alternatives?
The only way to truly be sure that your child’s clothing is chemical free is buying clothing that is:
GOTS certified organic cotton: Fabrics that are conventionally produced (versus produced following GOTS standards) – even those made with organic fibers – can contain some potentially harmful chemicals
Oeko Tex Standard 100 certified
Other textiles I like (if GOTS is not an option) and contain less toxins include: wool, hemp and Tencel (this is made from eucalyptus that is broken down using a non-toxic, recycled solvent, then manufactured in a closed-loop system not contaminating the environment)
Can I wash chemicals off clothes?
Yes and no. You should always wash your clothes before wearing it for the first time, as some chemicals that are added to the final product (pesticides for importing, for example ) can be washed off.
However, some chemicals cannot be washed off, including: :
the pesticides and herbicides applied to the crops when growing the cotton - these are in the fibers themselves
dyes and printing inks and other chemicals used to turn the fibers into fabric.
formaldehyde used in wrinkle free clothing
Are all of my kid’s clothing organic?
No- and I find that as kids grow it becomes harder (I have boys and they want to be in athletic wear ALL DAY which is especially hard to source organic)- but I am slowly starting to opt for organic options when I can (especially underwear, socks and pjs!) it’s better for the planet and better for them . If I were to have a newborn I would try to have a large portion of daily essentials be organic - but not necessarily 100% of the time. Balance.
My Favorite organic kids clothing suppliers
The good news is that today there are a plethora of brands offering GOTS organic and/or Oeko Tex certified clothing. I have some of my favorite brands on my Amazon Shop under 'Bedtime' and also buy from these brands:
12/12
@1212 (available at The Tot)
organic pima cotton pajamas, clothing
Sizes: newborn to size 6
ARQ
@shoparq
Underwear
Sizes NB- 6/7 years
Blu and Blue
@bluandblue_newyork
Jeans and Jean clothing for kids
Sizes NB -16 years
@burtsbeesbaby (available in Target and my Amazon Shop)
pajamas, clothing, socks and bedding
Sizes: NB - 7 years( (larger sizes available with Burts Bees )
Castleware
@castleware
sleeper bags and pajamas (underwear coming soon)
Sizes: NB- 6 years
GOTS certified- Socks for kids (toddler, preschool and youths and adults)
GOTS certified pjs & Clothing
Sizes: NB- 4T
Goat Milk NYC:
@goatmilknyc
clothing and underwear
Sizes: 3 months - 10T
Limited collection of baby essentials made for Target
Sizes: 0-3 m
Go Gently Nation
Sizes: 0-12 years old and women
Hanna Andersson
@happyhannas
clothing, sleepwear, underwear and socks
Sizes: NB- 16 year
@hatley (available in my Amazon Store under ‘Bedtime’)
sleepwear (other items are not GOTS certified organic)
Sizes: 2- 12 years
Hart + Land Essentials: organic pima cotton essentials line
@shophartland (available at The Tot )
sleepwear, baby essentials and underwear
Sizes: NB-6 years
Konges Slojd
@ KongesSloejd
sleepwear, bedding, clothing, socks and underwear
sizes: NB- 8 years
Kate Quinn (not all)
@katequinn_shop
pjs, underwear and socks
Sizes: NB-7 years
Lamington Socks
@lamingtonsocks (available at The Tot )
Wool socks
Lily and Lord:
@lilyandlord
Girl and boy cloths
sizes 2-7
organic and wool clothing, underwear, socks
Sizes : baby- big kid
L/oved Baby
@lovedbaby (some models available in my Amazon Shop )
sleep essentials and clothing
sizes: NB- 10 years
@makemakeorganics
GOTS certified clothing for babies and kids
clothing, pjs, bedding, swaddles
sizes: NB-6T
sleep essential and clothing
sizes: NB- 24 months
Maggies organics
athletic socks for older kids
Clothing, sleepwear and socks all GOTS certified
Sizes: NB- size 6
Mini Mioche
@minimioche
sleepwear and clothing
sizes NB- 12 years
Mini Rodini:
@mini_rodini (some models also available at The Tot )
underwear, pajamas, socks, tshirts, sweats, sweaters, dresses, outerwear etc
sizes newborn - size 11
Modern Burlap:
@modernburlap
Footies and pjs, some t-shirts
NB - 7 years
Moon and Back by Hanna Andersson (sold on Amazon)
infant tops and bottoms and pjs
Sizes: NB- 12 m
Available on Amazon
GOTS certified organic clothing, pijamas and underwear (and pregnancy mom)
Sizing: 0 -4 years old
Nui Organics
@nuiorganics
clothing, sleepwear, socks
Sizes: NB - 10 years
Organic Zoo
@organiczoo
clothing and sleepwear
Sizes: NB-7 years
Ole Designs
@ole.design
Made in Europe and Canada (only some models organic)
Sizes: NB-6 years
Oliver and Rain
@oliverandrain
pajamas and clothing
newborn - 5 T
sleepwear and play clothes
sizes: NB - 12 years
Parade Organics:
@paradeorganics
clothing and sleepwear
Sizes NB - 8 Yrs
Polarn O Pyret
@poarnopyretusa
Some GOTS organic clothing, underwear, pajamas
Sizes: NB- 6 years
Primary
@primarydotcom
Some GOTS organic pajamas (in additional to conventional cotton so make sure to read)
Sizes: Newborn up to age 12
@q.for.quinn
GOTS certified and wool socks : babies, kids and adults and pjs
Sapling Child
@saplingchild
clothing, and sleapwear
Sizes NB - 24 m
@serendipityorganics
clothing
Sizes: Newborn to age 10/11.
@sproutsanfrancisco
clothing and pjs and underwear
Sizes: NB- 6 Years
Sizes 0-6years
Super Love Merino:
@superlovemerino
while not GOTS certified cotton, this company offers ethical wool basics (sleepsuits, bodysuits, base layers, sleep sacks, leggings and hats)
Sizes: NB to 7T
@thetot
great selection of GOTS certified organic clothing, pjs, socks
Under the Nile
@underthenile
Baby sleep sacks, pajamas and essentials
Sizes: NB- 6 years
Winter Water Factory:
@winterwaterfactory
the cutest clothes
sizes NB - 8
Made in the USA
We Love Frugi
@welovefrugi
socks, clothing
size NB-10