We all love dressing our little ones in the cutest clothes and decking them out with accessories. Not all baby gear is created equal, though — some baby clothes contain harsh chemicals and potential irritants that babies and adults alike shouldn’t have on their skin. Let’s discuss.
Are There Really Toxic Chemicals in Some Baby Clothes?
Studies have shown that toxic chemicals can appear in a wide variety of children’s clothing. Chemicals like phthalates, antimony (PET), pesticides, and heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium, have all been found in children’s clothing.
Parents Are Fed Up
Now more than ever, parents are becoming more conscious about the clothes their little ones wear.
Studies show consumers now want to buy more sustainable and environmentally friendly products. The textile industry is making an effort to be more transparent about how products are made, and GOTS Certified baby clothes like ours are leading the way.
While there are many organic certifications out there, the GOTS certification has set the highest bar for textile industry standards. If you’re looking to live a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle, buying products that are GOTS Certified is a perfect place to start.
The Tabeeze Difference
Parenting comes with enough worries, and clothing shouldn’t be one of them.
At Tabeeze, we’re dedicated to creating eco-friendly and safe clothing for your baby’s soft and gentle skin. That’s why we take every step possible to respect and preserve Mother Earth for our children.
What Is GOTS?
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading textile processing standard for organically-produced natural fibers. The GOTS certification was created in 2006 with a mission to guarantee that all textile products are as sustainable, ethical, and environmentally conscious as possible.
Organic clothing is more popular than ever, and parents need to know that clothing materials are genuinely sustainable. No one wants to be misled by faulty marketing.
A GOTS certification means a product meets the highest environmental and social requirements throughout the entire production process. GOTS reassures parents by monitoring every step of the product chain.
From farming to sewing to shipping, a product can only be certified when every step of the production chain is certified.
What It Means for a Product To Be GOTS Certified
In order for a company to obtain a GOTS certification, it has to adhere to strict guidelines, and the entire textile process has to be monitored closely.
Here are some examples of the criteria that a company needs to meet to be GOTS Certified:
- All organic raw materials must be clearly labeled and kept separately from other materials.
- No chlorine bleach can be used during manufacturing.
- The processing and manufacturing are closely monitored to ensure all dyes and chemicals are evaluated and meet the requirements of non-toxicity and biodegradability.
- Packaging materials are also monitored. Everything from buttons to zippers must adhere to the GOTS guidelines. Any cardboard, paper, and tags must also be recyclable.
Once the process from farm to manufacturing is complete, monitored, and confirmed to meet the GOTS guidelines, manufacturers are given a GOTS certification and can use the GOTS label on their products.
What a GOTS Certification Guarantees
If a product is GOTS Certified, you can guarantee:
- The product contains at least 70% of certified organic cotton.
- The product is free from chemicals, solvents, heavy metals, and more.
- All dyes and processed chemicals that are used are not toxic and are biodegradable.
GOTS Certified Organic: How the Material Stands Up
Cotton that is GOTS Certified Organic is a better option than regular cotton because it’s grown organically, is non-GMO, and is free from hazardous herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. Buying GOTS Certified products helps you and your family avoid exposure to these substances.
Cotton that is GOTS Certified Organic also uses less water than non-organic cotton. Plus, GOTS standards monitor water cleanliness, protecting the immediate community but also the world as a whole.
Organic farming also creates healthy soil that soaks up water during floods and holds it for longer in times of drought — which helps farmers tremendously. In addition, organic cotton farming helps reduce pressure on local water sources.
What Are the GOTS Social Criteria?
The GOTS organization not only aims to make sustainable and eco-friendly products, but they also care about the well-being of their workers.
Many popular clothing brands have been accused of creating products that are harmful to the environment and maintaining harsh working environments. Workers (including children) are underpaid and work excessively long hours in rough conditions.
The GOTS organization is all about bringing kindness back into fashion. Every GOTS Certified company must treat its workers humanely. This means employees must receive fair pay, have controlled working hours, and work under safe conditions throughout the entire production process. Of course, any discrimination, forced labor, or child labor are all prohibited.
GOTS ensures all standards are met by requiring regular residue testing, on-site auditing, and other inspections, even after a company has obtained a certificate.
What Makes a GOTS Product Different?
Unfortunately, all organic clothing isn't equal.
A product labeled as “organic” doesn’t necessarily mean it is truly organic. There is a lack of transparency about how organic materials are processed, leading to consumers being victims of greenwashing.
Greenwashing is a term that refers to unjustified or misleading claims from brands that suggest their products are more environmentally friendly than they are. So, if you buy a product made from so-called organic materials, it could still contain harmful chemicals. Additionally, some companies that make organic clothing only focus on a product’s materials but don’t consider other social and environmental impacts.
When switching to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyle, there's a lot to remember. But, don’t worry. GOTS has your back. Buying a GOTS Certified product will ensure your baby’s fabric has been produced under the best manufacturing conditions.
At Tabeeze, we are dedicated to helping you not become a victim of greenwashing. That’s why we are also certified with 1% for the Planet.
1% for the Planet was founded to prevent greenwashing, certify reputable giving, and provide accountability. The certification is awarded to businesses and individuals that meet this high-bar commitment and donate 1% of annual sales or salary to environmental causes.
How To Identify a GOTS Product
We look at clothing labels for more than just washing instructions — we also look to see if it's GOTS Certified. GOTS Certified products will have the GOTS label dictating that it is Certified Organic. The consumer must be able to see the certification number on the bottom of the label. Only products that have met (and continue to meet) the strict GOTS criteria can use these labels.
During your eco-friendly journey, you want to ensure all of your products are as honest as they
claim to be. Always do your research and look for a GOTS certification before buying something with claims attached to it.
According to GOTS, references and labeling are protected to ensure credibility and verification. The organization developed a few handy resources that help determine if a product was labeled correctly.
When looking for a GOTS Certified product, always look for the correct labeling on the packaging. You can also input a company’s information on the GOTS certification website to see if they’re really legit.
Tabeeze’s products are clearly labeled and listed on our website, so you can feel 100% confident your baby’s skin is in good hands.
How Do You Choose the Right Baby Fabric?
Babies have sensitive and delicate skin, so choosing what goes on their skin is essential. You want to choose breathable, durable, and soft fabrics.
Our Bottom-Up Baby Bodysuits are made from super-soft organic, ring-spun jersey cotton, so your baby’s skin gets only the best. All of our clothes are also pre-shrunk, so they won’t pill, stretch or lose their shape.
The Details Matter
When you’re GOTS Certified, the details matter.
Our Bottom-Up Bodysuits were created and manufactured with your baby’s safety in mind, so you can feel 100% confident when you’re dressing them.
Our Bodysuits include printed tags instead of tags that stick out, which are perfect for babies with sensitive skin. Our products also include organically-printed labels and flat inner seams to help prevent any skin irritation.
We GOTS You
At Tabeeze, we care about your baby just as much as you do.
That’s why we take pride in our products being 100% GOTS Certified Organic. When buying a Tabeeze Bottom-Up Bodysuit, you can rest assured that your baby has high-quality clothes made with their safety and the planet in mind.
Not only are our products safe for your baby to wear, but they're also environmentally friendly. Mother Earth already takes care of us on a daily basis, so now it’s time to take care of her.
Tabeeze is on a continuous mission to make products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. We’re also committed to setting a new standard for responsible and sustainable business practices in the baby clothing industry, one onesie at a time.
At Tabeeze, we got(S) you covered.
Sources:
Home | Global Organic Textile Standard
Thousands of children's products contain toxic chemicals, including footwear, report says | FDRA
Identify correctly labelled GOTS Goods | Global Organic Textile Standard
GOTS Certified Suppliers Database | Global Organic Textile Standard
From Field to Fashion | Global Organic Textile Standard
Identify Correctly Labelled GOTS Goods | Global Organic Textile Standard
