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When we first published this piece, there were few brands out there that focused on creating truly non-toxic clothing for the littles. Since then, some of them have disappeared, while others are no longer up to our standards. Nevertheless, we thought it was high time to dig even deeper to find more non-toxic children’s clothing brands that are accessible and affordable.
Speaking of chemicals, there have been some serious shortcomings in the children’s clothing industry lately, especially with the rise of fast fashion and its super-cheap allure. Sure, your kids grow out of their clothes quickly, but the fact of the matter is that providing them with poor-quality, synthetic clothing is far more harmful to their health and development than you might think.
If you’ve been here long, you’re probably familiar with PFAS, a class of chemicals dubbed “forever chemicals” which remain in the body for extended periods of time, and these chemicals have been found in children’s clothing.
Children’s clothing brand Crann Organic recently conducted a study using pieces from cheap, online fast fashion platforms intended for wear by children. They used a third-party accredited lab to test for toxic contaminants that are proven to be detrimental to healthy growth and development. The experiment revealed extremely high levels of lead, a potent neurotoxin, as well as phthalates and formaldehyde, which have been linked to endocrine disorders affecting growth and development, as well as several types of cancers. Acute effects can include skin and lung irritation.
If your kiddo suffers from a sensitive skin condition or multiple chemical sensitivities, it’s important to pay attention to the dyes used to color their garments. Dyes can be especially harmful to children through prolonged exposure, increasing their risk of acute allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis and respiratory distress, Most synthetic fabrics, including polyester and nylon, require coloring agents such as azobenzene dyes to remain colorfast, whereas natural fibers are more easily dyed using natural and organic compounds.
The list of possible toxic chemicals in your kids’ wardrobe is long, but there are many brands working on chemical management to offer safer clothing without the use of these chemicals. With the rise of advocacy of sustainability and health concerns in the fashion industry, many brands are making big changes to the way they produce clothing. , for example, has made huge strides in its chemical management policy since 2020 as one of the first brands to implement its own Restricted Substances List.
Children’s clothing made with natural fibers and strong chemical management policies is becoming easier to find, even at your local mall. It all comes down to knowing where to shop and what to look for. So, here you go: our roundup of the best brands for organic, non-toxic apparel for babies and kids.
What to look for in Ethical, Sustainable Children’s Apparel
Non-Toxic: This might be the most important part to you, for good reason. Little developing humans are more sensitive to smaller amounts of potentially harmful chemicals. That’s why we prioritized baby and kid’s clothing with non-toxic certifications, such as Oeko-Tex, bluesign, and Ecocert. Some brands are still too small to afford certifications of their own, but work only with suppliers and manufacturers with certifications like these. Most of the brands below use organic cotton, but you can also look for natural and skin-safe fabrics like TENCEL, hemp, wool, and linen.
Ethical Manufacturing: Needless to say, you don’t want a child making your children’s clothes. The brands below prioritize transparency and fair, safe conditions for their workers.
Resale Value: Your babies are going to grow up fast (sorry!), so when they grow out of their clothes in a month, will you be able to get some money back for them on sites like thredUP?
Here are the Best Brands for Sustainable, Non-Toxic Clothing for Babies and Kids:
A caring mother set out to create non-toxic clothing for her son with eczema, and she succeeded. Crann Organic was founded by this same mother and nurse practitioner to cater to children with skin sensitivities, and to offer parents the choice to dress their kids in Oeko-Tex certified clothing with no toxic dyes or chemical additives. The brand uses soft- skin-friendly fabrics including organic cotton, TENCEL Lyocell, and TENCEL Modal.
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, GOTS
Sizes: 2 years – 12 years
Prices: $20 – $56
Available in: United States and Canada
Using no materials other than 100% organic cotton, Pehr creates thoughtfully designed childrens’ clothing from basics to outerwear and swimwear. It also features a “Match Your Mini” line in kids and womenswear sizes. The brand uses organic dyes, which may slowly fade over time depending on the garment, but with proper care will last and still remain beautiful.
Certifications: GOTS
Sizes: Newborn – Adult
Prices: $16 – $110
Available in: Worldwide
Based entirely on 100% organic cotton and dyed using GOTS-certified dyes, this brand offers a small curated selection of baby and kids’ clothing. It covers tops, bottoms, and sleepwear, and even offers a set of knee patches to repair damaged pieces once they wear out.
Certifications: GOTS
Sizes: Newborn – Adult
Prices: $9 – $37
Available in: Worldwide
Nui Organics is , and it shows. This natural fiber is in much of what the brand offers, alongside merino blends with silk and LYOCELL Tencel. The brand also uses fibers such as alpaca wool and organic cotton to create its full clothing line, from socks to outerwear.
Certifications: GOTS, Oeko-Tex
Sizes: Newborn – Adult 3XL
Prices: $18 – $144
Available in: Worldwide
Hanna Andersson has a huge selection of absolutely adorable organic clothes and accessories for babies and kids, including a huge collection of character clothes with your kids’ favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel heroes, and more.
Certifications: Oeko-Tex
Sizes: Newborn – 14 yrs
Prices: $10 – $55
Available in: United States
German brand Infantium Victoria is a one-stop designer shopping hub for impactful children’s fashion. Every garment is brought to life by its founders and designers, both mothers themselves. The entire catalog is made from 100% organic cotton and produced in India with strict chemical management and fair labor practices.
Certifications: GOTS
Sizes: 6 months – 16 years
Prices: $40 – $330
Available in: Worldwide
If you’re looking for an eco-conscious raincoat for your kid(s), check out Faire Child. With a focus on circularity, the brand makes durable, waterproof jackets, rain pants, and hats made from recycled plastic bottles and has a take-back program so the coat can be infinitely recycled once your child grows out of it. Everything is ethically handmade in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Certifications: Oeko-Tex, GRS, bluesign
Sizes: 2 – 10 yrs
Prices: $40 – $140
Available in: Canada
Finn + Emma’s super cute clothes for babies and toddlers are made with 100% organic cotton, non-toxic and eco-friendly dyes, and lead/nickel-free snaps with coconut inserts. Everything is ethically made in India.
Certifications: GOTS
Sizes: Newborn – 4T
Prices: $4 – $80
Available in: United States
This brand is dedicated to using only fully circular, 100% organic cotton and organic deadstock fabrics to create its vast line of kid’s clothing. Everything from tees and dresses to pants and shorts can be purchased, worn, and then sold back to Jackalo for a percentage of the original price to be recycled and made into something new through its TradeUp program.
Sizes: 4 to 14
Prices: $25 – $125
Available in: Worldwide
H&M has certainly come a long way on its sustainability journey. Its 2024 Product Compliance Report reflects that, restricting many harmful toxins including PFAS and BPA, among others. It offers kids’ clothing made from organic cotton sourced through the Better Cotton Initiative, and its baby line is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, meaning it’s made with 100% organic cotton.
Certifications: Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified (ages 0-2 years)
Sizes: Newborn- Adult
Prices: $7 – $60
Available in: Worldwide
There may be a ton of synthetics in this well-known brand’s garments, but Levi’s takes chemical management seriously, holding each of its manufacturers and suppliers to its standards, including its restricted substances list. If you’re not a fan of synthetics or synthetic blends, the brand offers many options that are made entirely from cotton. Its vast catalog includes everything from onesies to jackets.
Certifications: Some suppliers are GOTS and/or Oeko-Tex certified
Sizes: Newborn – Adult
Prices: $12 – $100
Available in: Worldwide (site specific)
Another mass-market brand with a strong chemical management program is Nike, heading the way with its recycled synthetics and restricted substance list. Its list of omitted chemicals includes certain dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, PFAS, and many more. The brand features everyday clothing and athletic wear in a wide range of styles and sizes. You can also look for the “Sustainable Materials” label on online product listings.
Sizes: Newborn – Adult
Prices: $12 – $175
Available in: Worldwide (site specific)
Old Navy may have had a reputation for synthetics, but the brand has been steadily moving toward organic natural fibers and chemical management for several years. Its latest venture in chemical management is removing all PFAS from its product lines, including performance wear such as leggings. It’s a reliable source for jeans and cotton staples for the kiddos, and it even features a Baby line with many 100% cotton options.
Sizes: Newborn – Adult
Prices: $4 – $64
Available in: Worldwide
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