More About Non Toxic Window Shades

Click on bolded statements for links to research and more information.

Are there flame retardants in curtains? 

In many, yes. In many states and cities, it’s a requirement that curtains used in public spaces meet standards for low flammability set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Ironically, natural fibers have flame retardants added to them more often than polyester and other synthetic fibers, because natural fibers burn more readily. The easiest way to know if your curtains have flame retardants is by looking for GOTS certification, which prohibits them, or for OEKO TEX certification, which prohibits flame retardants except in firefighting clothing. You can also confirm directly with the company that they don’t use them, as I did for the options above.

What else is in my curtain fabric?

Making fabric is a surprisingly chemically-intensive process. For natural curtains, if the fibers are grown conventionally, pesticides and fertilizers are used. Synthetic sheets (polyester, microfiber, etc) come from petroleum. Acids, scouring chemicals, and other processing agents used to wash fibers. Fiber-strengthening chemicals are aded to turn the fibers into sheets of fabric. Detergents, solvents, bleaches, acids, and enzymes are used to remove chemicals from previous steps, make the fabrics lighter, or prepare them to accept dyes in the next step. Pigments, binders, plasticizers, PVC, and other polymers (plastics) are used in this step, to make the dyes stick to the surface of the fabric. Finally, chemical treatments are added to make the fabric perform a certain way. Formaldehyde resins offer wrinkle-resistance, other resins work for anti-pilling, PFAS for stain-resistance, polyglycols for anti-pilling, acrylates or PVC with plasticizers for protective coatings, and flame retardants for fire resistance. Read more about this process and fabric in general in my Textile Rating Guide.

What does GOTS certified mean?

GOTS is short for the Global Organic Textile Standard.

It is the gold standard 3rd party certification for organic fabrics made from natural fibers like wool, cotton, linen, and others.

Fabric with the GOTS-certified organic label means that at least 95% of the starting fibers are certified organic, and ensures that the fabric remains healthy throughout the entire manufacturing process. This means the dyes and other chemicals used are safer for human and ecological health than standard fabric processing methods. No harmful finishes may be added to the final product.

What is OEKO TEX?

OEKO TEX certification applies to the finished product only, and is for both natural and synthetic textiles. Organic fibers, as well as man-made fabrics like polyester can both qualify, depending on what chemicals, and how much of them, are left in the final product. It does allow for some harmful chemicals, but in much lower quantities than are used in standard textile processing. You can see their limits, which are updated annually, here.

Does washing fabric remove chemicals?

Unfortunately, no. This research study from 2015 assessed the textile processing chemicals left on 60 different clothing garments before and after washing. Thousands of chemical compounds were found using gas and high-performance liquid chromatography which are laboratory methods of separating and identifying specific chemicals. 

They found more chemicals in polyester and other synthetic garments compare to clothing made with cotton and other natural materials. 

Concentrations of the chemicals did decrease after washing, but not by much, confirming that these pollutants both make their way into our water supply through washing, and stay behind on clothing for contact with our skin.

You may already know this experientially, as well— if you’ve ever purchased a water-resistant coat, which are made waterproof by treatment with PFAS, it can handle a few washes before you start to notice that it’s less and less waterproof. The same concept goes for dyes; over time, dyes are released and your clothes become less vibrant. Many textiles dyes, of course, are carcinogenic and have other health effects, as well.

In short, what is used in fabric processing doesn’t stay in the fabric. Some is washed away, some stays in contact with your skin.  I think it’s still a good idea to wash fabric and look up methods for removing chemicals while preserving the textile itself. But, whenever possible, this is why it’s important to choose fabric that is grown and processed organically, or at least has declared the ingredients used in its creation.