Carhartt · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Force Relaxed T-Shirt
Lower concern. Plain cotton jersey with no water-repellent finish on record.
Material as recorded is 100% cotton jersey with no coating or water-repellent treatment on record. Carhartt has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
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Material
100% cotton jersey
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Force Relaxed T-Shirt is made of, ingredients and materials
The Force Relaxed T-Shirt is constructed from 100% cotton jersey, a knit fabric with no water-resistant, stain-resistant, or flame-retardant chemical treatments applied. Cotton fiber itself is a natural polymer that does not release harmful volatiles or leach chemicals under normal wearing or laundering conditions. Jersey knit is soft and breathable because it has minimal finishing; this lack of industrial coating is a safety advantage for a basic casual garment. No synthetic coatings means no risk of Teflon-type coating fume release, formaldehyde resin hardeners, or water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) PFAS chemicals.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Azo dyes and banned colorants
Carhartt does not publish dyestuff specifications. Standard cotton tee dyes are commonly azo-based but legally restricted azo dyes are not permitted in US-sold garments; residual free amine risk is minimal in well-rinsed finished fabric. Color fastness is adequate for casual wear.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Low levels of residual formaldehyde or dye allergens may remain after production rinsing, particularly in bold colors. Wash before first wear to reduce dermal contact; risk is minimal for most wearers but problematic for formaldehyde-sensitive individuals.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Plain cotton jersey typically receives no wrinkle-resist or crease-set finish that would require formaldehyde-releasing resins. No evidence of such treatment on Carhartt Force Relaxed line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester content
Product is 100% cotton; no polyester present. Antimony catalyst contamination does not apply.
Flame retardants
Plain cotton jersey is not flame-retardant treated unless specifically marketed as such. No flame retardant coating or brominated additive reported on this product.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt does not maintain a published chemical disclosure policy or GOTS/OEKO-TEX certification on most of its general casual wear lines. The brand has no documented recalls or regulatory actions tied to hazardous chemicals in cotton basics. Carhartt's stance on PFAS and restricted chemicals is largely silent in public documentation, though the company manufactures workwear globally with varying supply chain oversight. For a plain cotton tee, this lack of transparency is less material because there are fewer intentional chemical treatments to disclose.
How it compares in its category
Plain 100% cotton jersey t-shirts are among the lowest-risk garments in the casual apparel category because they typically have zero performance finishes. Most mass-market cotton tees from competing brands (e.g., Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, J.Crew) carry identical material profiles and similar or lower disclosure practices. Organic cotton alternatives (GOTS-certified) may offer reduced pesticide residue in fiber but do not materially lower chemical finish risk for an unfinished basic tee. Carhartt's version shows lower concern within this commodity segment.
If you buy it
Wash in warm or cold water with standard detergent; no special care is required. Avoid prolonged high heat (tumble drying on high) if longevity matters, as excessive heat can degrade elastic fibers at neckline and cuffs over time. Replace when fabric pilling, color fading, or seam degradation becomes cosmetically unacceptable (typically 50-100 washes with normal care). No special storage or treatment is needed; store dry in normal closet conditions.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Carhartt has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof sports undergarments grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.