What makes clothing non-toxic?

Non-toxic clothing starts with natural fibers (organic cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp) that are free from synthetic pesticides and chemical finishes. It also means dyes that have been tested for harmful substances — look for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or GOTS certification on the finished garment. Avoid wrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, or water-resistant finishes, which often use formaldehyde or PFAS. The fewer the chemical treatments, the better.

Is polyester clothing toxic?

Polyester is a petroleum-based plastic fiber that can shed microplastics with every wash, contributing to environmental contamination and potential human exposure. It’s also often treated with antimicrobial chemicals, dyes, and finishes that haven’t been fully tested for long-term skin contact. While wearing polyester isn’t acutely dangerous, we prefer natural fibers for everyday clothing — especially for items worn close to the skin for extended periods.

What jewelry metals are safe for sensitive skin?

The safest options for sensitive skin are solid sterling silver (925), solid 14k or 18k gold, and verified nickel-free stainless steel. Nickel is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from jewelry — it’s found in most cheap alloys and even some gold-plated pieces. Avoid gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry unless the base metal is confirmed nickel-free, as the plating wears off over time and exposes you to whatever is underneath.

Should I wash new clothes before wearing them?

Yes — always wash new clothes before wearing them, even certified ones. Manufacturing and shipping processes can leave residual chemicals, dust, and dyes on fabric. Washing removes surface residues and reduces initial exposure. For conventional clothing especially, a wash before first wear is one of the simplest ways to reduce chemical contact. Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent to avoid adding new chemicals back in.

Does jewelry contain lead or cadmium?

Cheap costume jewelry and fashion jewelry — especially imported pieces — can contain significant amounts of lead and cadmium. Lead is a neurotoxin with no safe exposure level; cadmium is a heavy metal linked to kidney damage and cancer. Both have been found in jewelry sold at major retailers. Children are at highest risk since they may mouth jewelry, but adults absorb these metals through skin contact too. We only carry jewelry from brands that explicitly test for and exclude these metals.

Are lab-grown diamonds a better choice than mined diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds — the only difference is how they’re made. From a safety standpoint, both are inert and non-toxic. But from an ethical and environmental standpoint, lab-grown diamonds have significant advantages: no mining means no habitat destruction, no displacement of communities, and no risk of conflict sourcing. They also typically cost 50–80% less than mined diamonds of equivalent quality, making higher-carat and higher-clarity stones far more accessible. For conscious consumers, lab-grown is an easy choice.

Clothing & Jewelry

Most clothing contains synthetic dyes, chemical finishes, and petroleum-based fibers. Most conventional jewelry contains nickel, lead, or cadmium. Everything here is chosen for clean materials — natural fibers, safe dyes, and metals that won’t irritate your skin or leach toxins.

Clothing

Undergarments

Jewelry

Cold Weather Gear

Shoes & Bags

Baby Clothing Guide 📖

How to Choose Non-Toxic Clothing & Jewelry

1. What to Avoid in Clothing Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic are made from petroleum-based plastics and are often treated with chemical finishes. Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world. Wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant finishes frequently use formaldehyde or PFAS (“forever chemicals”). Synthetic dyes without safety certification can contain heavy metals and azo compounds. Natural fibers — organic cotton, linen, wool, silk, and hemp — are the safest starting point.

2. What to Avoid in Jewelry Metals

Cheap jewelry is often made from unknown alloys that can contain nickel (a leading cause of contact dermatitis), lead (a neurotoxin with no safe exposure level), and cadmium (a heavy metal linked to kidney damage). Gold-plated and silver-plated jewelry can expose you to base metals as the plating wears off. Safest options are solid sterling silver (925), solid 14k or 18k gold, and verified nickel-free stainless steel.

3. Certifications to Look For

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifies that the finished textile has been tested for 100+ harmful substances. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies both the organic fiber content and the processing chain. For jewelry, look for brands that explicitly state their metals are nickel-free, lead-free, and cadmium-free — ideally with third-party testing to back it up.

How We Vet

For clothing, we look for natural fibers (organic cotton, linen, wool, silk), Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or GOTS certification, and minimal chemical processing. For jewelry, we prioritize sterling silver, solid gold, and verified nickel-free and lead-free metals. We avoid fast fashion, synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, and jewelry made with unknown alloys or plating.

Clothing & Jewelry FAQs

Non-toxic clothing starts with natural fibers (organic cotton, linen, wool, silk, hemp) that are free from synthetic pesticides and chemical finishes. It also means dyes that have been tested for harmful substances — look for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 or GOTS certification on the finished garment. Avoid wrinkle-resistant, stain-resistant, or water-resistant finishes, which often use formaldehyde or PFAS. The fewer the chemical treatments, the better.
Polyester is a petroleum-based plastic fiber that can shed microplastics with every wash, contributing to environmental contamination and potential human exposure. It’s also often treated with antimicrobial chemicals, dyes, and finishes that haven’t been fully tested for long-term skin contact. While wearing polyester isn’t acutely dangerous, we prefer natural fibers for everyday clothing — especially for items worn close to the skin for extended periods.
The safest options for sensitive skin are solid sterling silver (925), solid 14k or 18k gold, and verified nickel-free stainless steel. Nickel is the most common cause of contact dermatitis from jewelry — it’s found in most cheap alloys and even some gold-plated pieces. Avoid gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry unless the base metal is confirmed nickel-free, as the plating wears off over time and exposes you to whatever is underneath.
Yes — always wash new clothes before wearing them, even certified ones. Manufacturing and shipping processes can leave residual chemicals, dust, and dyes on fabric. Washing removes surface residues and reduces initial exposure. For conventional clothing especially, a wash before first wear is one of the simplest ways to reduce chemical contact. Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent to avoid adding new chemicals back in.
Cheap costume jewelry and fashion jewelry — especially imported pieces — can contain significant amounts of lead and cadmium. Lead is a neurotoxin with no safe exposure level; cadmium is a heavy metal linked to kidney damage and cancer. Both have been found in jewelry sold at major retailers. Children are at highest risk since they may mouth jewelry, but adults absorb these metals through skin contact too. We only carry jewelry from brands that explicitly test for and exclude these metals.
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds — the only difference is how they’re made. From a safety standpoint, both are inert and non-toxic. But from an ethical and environmental standpoint, lab-grown diamonds have significant advantages: no mining means no habitat destruction, no displacement of communities, and no risk of conflict sourcing. They also typically cost 50–80% less than mined diamonds of equivalent quality, making higher-carat and higher-clarity stones far more accessible. For conscious consumers, lab-grown is an easy choice.

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