While fiber content is just one part of the puzzle when it comes to understanding the environmental footprint of our clothing purchases, it’s a good place to start. This guide will help you with the basics so you can make informed choices when it comes to your kids’ clothes.
Natural fabrics
Cotton is a popular choice for children’s clothing because it’s soft and breathable. However, conventional cotton farming isn’t always low impact. Depending on where and how it’s grown, it can require a significant amount of water and often relies on pesticides and fertilizers, which can affect soil health, waterways, and surrounding ecosystems.
That doesn’t mean cotton is inherently bad. It just means the way it’s grown matters. (Source)
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Organic cotton is grown to organic standards, without synthetic pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. It can be a better option than conventional cotton, especially when it comes to reducing harmful chemical use and supporting healthier soil. Its water impact can be lower, particularly when it’s grown in rain-fed systems, but the difference depends on where and how it’s grown. (Source)
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Naturally pest-resistant and generally requiring less water than conventional cotton, hemp can be a lower-impact choice. It’s also durable and softens with each wash.
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Made from flax plants, linen is breathable, long-lasting, and often requires less water and fewer pesticides than conventional cotton. It’s also breathable and long-lasting. (Source)
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Naturally anti-microbial and temperature-regulating, wool resists odors and doesn’t need to be washed as frequently, reducing water and energy usage over time. Some types, like merino, are softer and more comfortable for sensitive skin. However, since wool is an animal fiber, its environmental impact can vary. Look for certifications like ZQ or RWS, which indicate higher standards for land use and animal welfare. (Source)
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Sourced from the stalks of the Chinese nettle plant, ramie is a breathable, durable natural fiber that’s resistant to mildew and wrinkles. It’s often used in lightweight clothing like shirts, blouses, and summer dresses.
Synthetic fabrics
Synthetic materials like nylon, polyester, and acrylic are common in clothing because they’re durable, affordable, and easy to care for. Synthetics are especially common in athletic wear and outerwear because they can be quick-drying and moisture-wicking, but there’s a major tradeoff: these materials are made from fossil fuels, shed microplastics when washed, and do not biodegrade the way natural fibers do.
Concerns:
Microplastic pollution: Synthetic fabrics shed tiny plastic fibers every time they’re washed. These microfibers can slip through wastewater systems and enter waterways, soil, and the food chain. The problem isn’t that they just “stick around.” As synthetic fibers break down, they become smaller and more mobile plastic particles, and those particles can harm ecosystems, carry pollution, and build up in the environment over time.
Chemical finishes and treatments: Some synthetic garments may also be treated with chemical finishes for performance, stain resistance, wrinkle resistance, or water repellency. This can vary widely by garment and brand, which is another reason to look for transparency and trusted certifications when possible.
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Made from petroleum, polyester is durable, inexpensive, and widely used, but like other synthetics, it sheds microplastics when washed and doesn’t biodegrade.
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Often used in activewear, swimwear, and outerwear, nylon is also petroleum-based and energy-intensive to produce. Like polyester, it doesn’t biodegrade and contributes to synthetic microfiber pollution.
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Common in fleece and knitwear, acrylic is a petroleum-based synthetic fiber. It can shed microplastics when washed, does not biodegrade, and is also generally less breathable than many natural fibers.
Semi-synthetic fabrics
Semi-synthetic fabrics are derived from plant-based materials like wood pulp, but they’re chemically processed to create soft, drapey fibers. The impact depends heavily on how that process is managed. (Source)
Concerns can include:
Chemical exposure: Traditional viscose production can involve toxic chemicals, including carbon disulfide, which can pose risks to workers and surrounding communities if not properly controlled.
Pollution: If wastewater and emissions are not properly treated, they can pollute local waterways, soil, and air. (Source)
A better alternative:
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a branded form of lyocell produced by Lenzing. It’s made from wood pulp using a closed-loop process that recovers and reuses more than 99% of the solvent. This significantly reduces environmental impact compared to traditional viscose production. TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers are also biodegradable and compostable under appropriate conditions.
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Viscose and rayon are made from plant cellulose, often wood pulp, but the process of turning that cellulose into fiber can be chemical-intensive. Poorly managed production has been linked to water pollution, air pollution, and unsafe conditions for workers and nearby communities.
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A type of rayon often made from beechwood, modal is known for its softness and breathability. It is often marketed as a more eco-friendly alternative to viscose, but its impact depends on how it’s produced. Some modal production can still involve chemicals like carbon disulfide.
Recycled synthetics
Recycled polyester and nylon (often labeled rPET or ECONYL) are made from existing plastic, such as plastic bottles or discarded fishing nets. They can help keep plastic in use and reduce the need to produce more petroleum-based synthetic fabric, but recycled sunthetics are still synthetics. They can still shed microplastics when washed, and they still won’t biodegrade. While recycling is better than using virgin synthetics, it’s not a long-term fix.
Sources and further reading
Cotton, organic cotton, and natural fibers
World Wildlife Fund, Cotton
Textile Exchange, Organic Cotton
Textile Exchange, Cotton
Textile Exchange, Growing Hemp for the Future
Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, Environmental Responsibility of European Flax
Textile Exchange, Responsible Wool Standard
Synthetics, recycled synthetics, and microplastics
Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Fashion and the Circular Economy
European Environment Agency, Microplastics from Textiles: Towards a Circular Economy for Textiles in Europe
European Environment Agency, Plastic in Textiles: Towards a Circular Economy for Synthetic Textiles in Europe
UN Environment Programme, Everything You Should Know About Microplastics
UN Environment Programme, Everything You Need to Know About Plastic Pollution
Semi-synthetics and man-made cellulosics
Changing Markets Foundation, Dirty Fashion
Changing Markets Foundation, Dirty Fashion report PDF
Lenzing, TENCEL™ Lyocell
TENCEL™, What Are TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal Fibers?