How to Test Clothes for Toxic Chemicals: A Simple Guide

Worried about hidden toxins in your clothes? Many garments contain chemicals like formaldehyde and PFAS that can cause skin irritation and long-term health risks. Since manufacturers aren’t always transparent, it’s crucial to test clothes for toxic chemicals yourself. This guide will show you how, outlining the most effective at-home methods and professional options.

A strong, artificial odor is one of the easiest ways to tell if there are chemicals in your clothes. While not all harmful substances have a smell, a lingering chemical scent — especially in new clothes — can be a sign of formaldehyde or other industrial chemicals used during manufacturing. This is particularly common in synthetic fabrics and wrinkle-resistant clothing.

Many shoppers report that clothes treated with formaldehyde often have a strong, unpleasant odor — think pickles or disinfectants — that can stick around even after washing. This lingering smell is usually a sign that the garment has been exposed to high levels of formaldehyde during production. So, if you notice a strong chemical smell, it’s a good idea to skip buying the garment.

⚠️ This method detects: Formaldehyde

Dyes in textiles fall into two categories: natural and synthetic, with synthetic dyes posing greater environmental and health risks. When these dyes end up in water systems, they can harm both human health and aquatic life, particularly in areas with weak regulations. Harmful chemicals like heavy metals, azo dyes, and formaldehyde are common in textile wastewater, contributing to long-lasting damage.

A simple way to spot potentially toxic dyes is the water test. Soak a small piece of fabric in warm water and see if any color bleeds out — especially in dark garments like black fabrics, which often hold more dye. While color bleeding doesn’t always mean toxicity, it’s a red flag that the dyes may be unstable and could contain harmful substances.

⚠️ This method detects: Synthetic dyes, Formaldehyde, Azo dyes

A skin sensitivity test is an amazing method to reveal potential irritants in your clothing. Just rub a small patch of fabric against your skin for a few minutes. If you experience any discomfort — itching, redness, or irritation — it might be a sign that the material contains toxic chemicals.

However, keep in mind that individual sensitivity varies greatly – what irritates one person’s skin might not affect another’s. If you experience any discomfort during testing, discontinue immediately.

Did you know? Clothing can indeed cause skin rashes, primarily through a condition known as textile dermatitis or clothing dermatitis. This condition is a form of contact dermatitis where the skin reacts to various components in clothing, including fibers, dyes, and chemicals used in textile manufacturing.

Common symptoms of textile dermatitis include:

Redness: Inflamed areas where the skin has reacted to the fabric

Itchiness: Persistent itching that won’t go away

Scaly Skin: Affected areas may become flaky or rough

Localized Rash: Often appears in areas where clothing fits tightly

⚠️ This method detects: Phthalates, PFAS, Garment Finishes, Azo dyes, Formaldehyde, Synthetic fabrics

After unpacking a newly bought piece of clothing, soak it in clean water and squeeze the water into a separate container. Then, use the AAwipes Lead Test Kit (30 Rapid Testing Swabs) for fast results in just 30 seconds to check for lead exposure in the water.

One of the easiest lead testing options available, the AAwipes Lead Test Kit provides quick results and is ideal for detecting lead contamination. It allows you to perform rapid tests and get a clear result within half a minute, helping you stay safe and informed.

When it comes to lead, no amount is truly safe for humans. Even small amounts of exposure can lead to issues like lower school performance, hearing problems, and even lower scores on standardized tests. It’s also been linked to more serious problems like hyperactivity and violent behavior.

The CDC set the “safe” level of lead exposure at 100ppb back in 1991, but many experts argue that this standard is outdated. The reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all safe threshold. How long someone’s blood lead levels are elevated and their age can play a huge role in how dangerous even small amounts of lead can be.

If your lead test results come back positive, it’s always better to err on the side of caution — in such cases, it’s wise to consider that garment too risky to wear.

If you find yourself dealing with lead-contaminated clothing, there are methods available to remove lead from clothes safely. However, for heavily contaminated items, home remedies may not be enough. In such cases, professional cleaning, handling, or disposal may be required to ensure safety.

UV light revolutionizes testing clothes for toxic chemicals that are invisible to the naked eye. This technique is particularly useful for detecting harmful chemicals or residues that may have been absorbed into the fabric. Pay close attention to areas where toxins might accumulate, like in fabric treatments or stains, as UV light can reveal hidden dangers that otherwise stay out of sight.

Bodily Fluids: UV light helps forensic experts identify stains from blood, bodily fluids, or saliva, even if they’ve dried.

Chemical Treatments: Textiles treated with waterproof or wrinkle-resistant chemicals often fluoresce, highlighting areas of the fabric that may contain these agents.

Optical Brighteners: Some laundry detergents use brighteners that make fabrics glow under UV light, which can sometimes mask actual stains and make detection trickier.

This easy at-home test lets you see how fabrics react to common household substances. Simply expose a small fabric sample to baking soda or vinegar and watch for any changes — like discoloration, texture shifts, or bubbling. These signs indicate the fabric has undergone chemical treatments.

Fast fashion brands like Shein often use azo dyes, formaldehyde, and other toxins in production. When you mix baking soda with vinegar, the bubbles can lift these residues off the fabric, helping you spot hidden chemicals that could be lurking in your clothes.

⚠️ This method detects: Heavy Metals, Odors, Bacteria, Stains, Chemical Residues, Phthalates, PFAS, Garment Finishes, Formaldehyde

We often scrutinize food labels and skincare ingredients, but we rarely stop to consider what toxic chemicals lurk in the fabrics we wear every day. Fast fashion has brought an increase in chemical treatments that promise wrinkle-free, water-resistant, long-lasting garments, but these innovations come with hidden costs. Many chemicals used in production are linked to serious health issues, from skin irritation to hormone disruption.

Even more troubling is the regulatory gap in textile industries, where fast fashion prioritizes speed and profit over safety. A study found that hazardous chemicals exceeded EU regulatory limits in 15% of products tested from fast fashion brands, highlighting the need for stricter oversight.

Understanding what’s in your clothes is essential for making informed, healthier choices. The rise of sustainable fashion isn’t just about reducing waste — it’s also about protecting your health from the chemicals woven into many modern textiles.

Your body’s largest organ faces constant exposure to treated fabrics, with synthetic dyes and chemical finishes causing immediate reactions like rashes, dermatitis, and persistent skin irritation.

Clothing production involves approx. 8,000 synthetic chemicals, including dyes, finishes, and treatments, raising concerns about health risks associated with prolonged exposure. Many consumers discover these sensitivities only after prolonged exposure to chemically treated clothing.

The release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from treated garments, particularly those containing formaldehyde, can trigger respiratory distress. These chemicals continue off-gassing throughout a garment’s life, potentially causing breathing difficulties and worsening existing conditions like asthma.

Research indicates that VOCs and other textile emissions contribute to indoor air pollution, affecting air quality within homes.

Long-term exposure to common textile chemicals like phthalates, PFAS, and BPA can interfere with the endocrine system. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” have been detected in about 70% of waterproof clothing items tested and are linked to reproductive harm and immune system damage.

Bisphenol A (BPA), frequently found in polyester-based clothing, is an endocrine disruptor associated with developmental defects, with tests revealing BPA levels exceeding California’s legal limits in several athletic wear brands.

Certain textile treatments contain known carcinogens, including azo dyes, heavy metals (e.g., lead and chromium), and formaldehyde. These substances have been linked to increased cancer risk, neurological disorders, and compromised immune function.

The textile industry’s widespread use of these chemicals contributes to serious long-term health risks, emphasizing the need for better consumer awareness and regulation.

Think of synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon as tiny plastic sheets wrapped around your body. With every wash and wear, these materials shed microscopic plastic particles while releasing a cocktail of chemicals. Unfortunately, many brands fail to disclose this, and misleading labels only add to the confusion. So, how can you avoid these materials?

Here’s something surprising: even fabrics marketed as “natural,” aren’t as innocent as they seem. For instance, rayon, a semi-synthetic fiber, is carcinogenic, despite being made from wood and commercialized as sabra silk or cactus silk. The fabric often involves a formaldehyde treatment, giving it wrinkle-free properties.

Rayon appears in many forms, including viscose, cupro, rayon crepe, and bamboo rayon. All are by-products of chemicals, additives, and synthetic finishes, which are far from harmless.

To ensure you’re selecting truly sustainable options, look for materials certified by reputable organizations, such as:

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

Oeko-Tex Standard 100

In addition to these certifications, consider fabrics like organic cotton, linen, hemp, and responsibly sourced wool—these not only provide a safer alternative to synthetics but also promote ethical production practices. These fibers are biodegradable, reduce your carbon footprint, and support a more circular fashion economy.

Smelling new clothes is an easy way to detect harmful chemicals. A strong, artificial odor often indicates substances like formaldehyde. If the scent lingers, the garment may contain toxic chemicals, so it’s best to avoid it.

Yes, synthetic dyes like azo dyes can pose environmental and health risks. To check for potentially harmful dyes, soak a small fabric sample in warm water. If the color bleeds, it may indicate the presence of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde or azo dyes.

Perform a simple skin sensitivity test by rubbing a fabric sample against your skin for a few minutes. If you experience redness, itching, or irritation, the garment may contain toxic chemicals, such as phthalates or PFAS, that can cause textile dermatitis.

Synthetic fabrics, including polyester and nylon, shed microplastics and harmful chemicals during washing and wearing. These materials often contain toxic substances like PFAS, which can be harmful to both your health and the environment.

Common toxic chemicals in clothing include formaldehyde (used for wrinkle resistance), phthalates (plasticizers in synthetic fabrics), PFAS (water-repellent chemicals), azo dyes (linked to cancer and allergies), and heavy metals like lead and chromium. These substances can cause skin irritation, hormonal disruption, and long-term health risks.

Not always. Some fabrics marketed as “eco-friendly” still contain harmful chemicals. For example, rayon is often treated with formaldehyde, making it a potentially hazardous fabric. Look for certified organic fabrics or those with GOTS or Oeko-Tex certifications for safer choices.

Loading...

Source: Choi, K. (2011). Cell growth of BG-1 ovarian cancer cells is promoted by di-N-butyl phthalate and hexabromocyclododecane via upregulation of the cyclin D and cyclin-dependent kinase-4 genes. Molecular Medicine Reports. Maung, T. Z., Bishop, J. E., Holt, E., Turner, A. M., & Pfrang, C. (2022). Indoor air pollution and the health of vulnerable groups: A systematic review focused on particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their effects on children and people with pre-existing lung disease. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(14), 8752. Protective clothing. Test methods for clothing providing protection against chemicals. (n.d.)