Is There Formaldehyde in Clothing?
It can be. The National Cancer Institute says formaldehyde is used to produce many household products, including permanent-press fabrics. In a 2010 report, the Government Accountability Office said formaldehyde levels in clothing were not regulated in the United States, that the apparel industry reported 13 countries with laws or regulations limiting them, and that most of the 180 items GAO had tested were below the most stringent of those limits.
GAO said the health risk of greatest concern is allergic contact dermatitis from skin contact, a form of eczema that produces rashes, blisters and flaky, dry skin that can itch or burn. It said avoiding clothing that contains formaldehyde is typically effective at preventing it, but can be difficult because clothing labels do not identify items treated with or containing formaldehyde, and that washing clothing before it is worn often reduces formaldehyde levels but is not always successful.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s formaldehyde guide lists washing durable-press fabrics before use among the ways to reduce exposure, along with not choosing clothing and fabrics likely to contain formaldehyde, such as rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton, shrink-proof wool and heavy stiff fabrics. GAO noted that the results from its sample cannot be projected to all clothing sold in the United States.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Government sourceThe National Cancer Institute says formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical used in building materials and household products, including permanent-press fabrics. National Cancer Institute ↗
- Independent testGAO reported in 2010 that formaldehyde levels in clothing are not regulated in the United States, that the apparel industry reports 13 countries limit them, and that most of the 180 items it had tested were below the most stringent of those limits. US Government Accountability Office, GAO-10-875 ↗
- Government sourceGAO found the health risk of greatest concern from formaldehyde in clothing is allergic contact dermatitis, a form of eczema that produces rashes, blisters and flaky, dry skin that can itch or burn. US Government Accountability Office, GAO-10-875 ↗
- Government sourceGAO said avoiding clothing with formaldehyde can be difficult because labels do not identify treated items, and that washing clothing before it is worn often reduces formaldehyde levels but is not always successful. US Government Accountability Office, GAO-10-875 ↗
- Government sourceGAO said its test results cannot be projected to all clothing sold in the United States, and its report contains no recommendations. US Government Accountability Office, GAO-10-875 ↗
- Government sourceThe CPSC lists washing durable-press fabrics before use, and not choosing fabrics likely to contain formaldehyde such as rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton, shrink-proof wool and heavy stiff fabrics. US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Publication 725 ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.