1. With the recent recall here in Australia from several major retailers of entire clothing lines found to contain unacceptable concentrations of  hazardous azo dyes, the topic of choosing safe clothing for our children has become a very topical one!

Every day we bundle our kids up in the softest and cutest clothes possible. From t-shirts and pants to jackets and hats, we like to think that the clothes we put on our kids are there to help protect them from the elements and keep them comfortable and safe all day long – but we might be seriously wrong.

It turns out that a shocking number of clothes, including high-end brands and those labeled as natural, are made with the use of a variety of chemicals that can cause serious reactions in many people. The biggest addition to clothing these days comes in the form of formaldehyde – the chemical used to preserve and embalm corpses.

There are many reasons why formaldehyde and other similar chemicals are used in clothing. First, it can preserve the fabric and give it longevity. It’s also used to help cut down on mold and mildew growing on clothing while they are shipped and stored, and it helps clothing look crisp and wrinkle-free while it waits to be purchased in shops. The issue with formaldehyde being used in clothing is that it is an intense chemical that can cause severe reactions in many people. If your child’s allergy symptoms get worse within minutes of putting on new clothing, formaldehyde may be the culprit.

While formaldehyde is bad, it’s not the only concern we have.

Many of the dyes used in giving clothing their bright and vibrant colors can also be extremely toxic. Dyes are made from a variety of chemicals that can play havoc on immune systems, skin, and respiratory systems. These commercial grade dyes have been traced back to a variety of sensitivities and allergies, and they can show up in just about any kind of clothing you buy.

Finally, the materials used in the creation of clothing like stitching, buttons, and tags can all contain various chemicals, metal alloys, plastics, and other materials that can be extremely aggressive on a sensitive skin or a delicate immune system.

So What Can We Do About It?

Choosing clothing that has been certified as safe is the best move. All Bamboo Bubby fabrics have passed Oeko-Tex 100 Class 1 testing which means that it is free from harmful substances, manufactured to cause the least possible harm to the environment and safe to use for children's clothing products. 

Other options include washing new clothes several times before introducing them to your child’s wardrobe to see if that helps. Many of the chemicals used in clothing manufacturing will break down after a few washes. Finally, keeping a journal to see which types of clothing seem to cause the most issues may help you narrow down the trigger so that you can avoid it in the future.

Does your child suffer from clothing allergies?
If so, how have you helped them deal with it?