When choosing clothes for babies, parents often habitually feel if the fabric is "soft" and smell if it "has an odor". However, relying solely on touch and smell is far from enough to avoid the risks of "toxic fabrics" — invisible hazards such as excessive formaldehyde, fluorescent brightener residues, and decomposable carcinogenic dyes may quietly threaten the baby's delicate skin and developing body. In fact, there is a "shortcut" to judging the safety of baby fabrics: identify the two core certifications and thoroughly understand the national standard requirements, and you can easily avoid 90% of safety pitfalls. Today, we will explain this practical baby fabric safety guide in detail, helping new parents quickly become "fabric identification experts".
1.Understand: Why Are Certifications the "Safety Pass" for Baby Fabrics?
Many parents believe that "as long as it's 100% cotton, it's safe", but the truth is: even 100% cotton can become "toxic fabric" if excessive pesticides are used during planting, illegal chemicals are added during production, or inferior dyes are used in the dyeing process. Formal certifications are like a "safety stamp" issued by third-party institutions — through multi-dimensional testing, dozens of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, fluorescent brighteners, and carcinogenic dyes are screened out to ensure the fabric meets infant safety standards.
This is especially true for infants under 36 months old. Their skin is only 1/3 the thickness of an adult's, and the skin barrier function is not yet fully developed. They also often bite on clothes, so harmful substances in the fabric are more likely to be absorbed through the skin or ingested orally, causing allergies, respiratory irritation, or even more serious health problems. Therefore, when choosing baby fabrics, certifications are 10 times more important than superficial features like "cotton" or "softness".
2. Two Core Certifications: "Class A" for Domestic Products, "OEKO-TEX®" for International Recognition
There are various certifications on the market, but for baby fabrics, only two are truly valuable: one is China's mandatory safety certification (Class A label), and the other is the internationally recognized ecological certification (OEKO-TEX® Standard 100). Although they cover different testing items, both can protect the baby's safety.
1. Domestic Mandatory Certification: GB 31701-2015 Class A, Basic Safety Guarantee
GB 31701-2015 "Safety Technical Code for Infants and Children's Textile Products" is China's mandatory standard for infant textiles. All textiles worn or used by infants under 36 months old (such as clothes, bibs, bedding, etc.) must comply with this standard and be labeled "Class A". The first step for parents when choosing fabrics is to look for the "Class A" mark and standard number on the label.
The "strictness" of this standard is reflected in its strict restrictions on harmful substances. Let's take a look at several key indicators:
Formaldehyde content ≤ 20mg/kg: Formaldehyde is a common textile finishing agent that can make fabrics wrinkle-resistant and shape-retaining, but it is highly irritating to babies' respiratory tracts and skin, and may also affect the development of the immune system. The formaldehyde limit for adult fabrics is 75mg/kg, while the Class A standard for infants directly raises the standard by nearly 4 times, achieving almost "low residue".
Prohibition of decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes: Some inferior dyes contain such substances, which can be absorbed after contact with the skin and may change cell DNA after metabolic activation, increasing the risk of cancer. The Class A standard explicitly prohibits such dyes, eliminating risks from the source.
Fluorescent brighteners "not detected": Many merchants add fluorescent brighteners to make fabrics look whiter. However, fluorescent brighteners may migrate to the baby's skin surface, causing allergies or accumulating in the body. The Class A standard requires "no detection" of fluorescent brighteners, which is stricter than the "limited detection" for adult fabrics.
pH value 4.0-7.5: The baby's skin surface is weakly acidic. Fabrics with excessive pH values will damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness, sensitivity, or even bacterial infection. The pH range of the Class A standard is fully compatible with the baby's skin environment.
2. International Ecological Certification: OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Advanced Safety Guarantee
If you want to choose imported fabrics for your baby or pursue higher safety standards, look for the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification. It is one of the most authoritative ecological textile certifications in the world, covering the entire chain of testing from raw materials to finished products, with more comprehensive testing items than the national standard Class A (the national standard tests about 20 harmful substances, while OEKO-TEX® tests more than 100).
When checking the certification, parents should focus on the "Class 1" level — this is the highest standard for infants (0-3 years old) in this certification, with much stricter requirements than Class 2 and Class 3 for adults. For example, the limit for heavy metals (lead, mercury, etc.) in Class 1 is almost "trace level", which can effectively prevent babies from ingesting heavy metals by biting clothes.
In addition, OEKO-TEX® also tests pesticide residues, phthalates (plasticizers) and other items not mandatory in the national standard, making it especially suitable for babies with extremely sensitive skin or allergies. Many high-end baby brands will mark both "Class A label" and "OEKO-TEX® Class 1", providing double certification for greater peace of mind.
3. Pitfall Avoidance Guide: Don't Be Deceived by These "Fake Safety" Tactics
Mastering certification knowledge is not enough; you also need to be alert to merchants' "tactics". Never buy products in the following 3 situations, no matter how well the merchant promotes them:
Only has a "cartoon label" without formal certification: Some unqualified products will print a baby-patterned "cartoon label" and claim it's "baby-specific", but there is no Class A label or OEKO-TEX® certification. Such fabrics are likely not tested for safety, with a high risk of excessive formaldehyde and fluorescent brighteners.
"Class A label" is printed on the hangtag, not the care label: Formal Class A marks must be printed on the care label (the label sewn inside the clothes) and retained permanently. If only a "Class A" sticker is attached to the hangtag (which disappears once the hangtag is removed), it is likely a "fake certification" pasted by the merchant.
"Organic cotton" without certification is just a gimmick: Many merchants claim their fabrics are "organic cotton" but cannot provide "GOTS Organic Certification" or "OEKO-TEX® Organic Certification". The difference between ordinary cotton and organic cotton lies in whether chemical-free processes are used in planting and production. "Organic cotton" without certification is just ordinary cotton — don't waste money on it.
4. Practical Steps: 3 Steps to Choose Safe Baby Fabrics
After understanding the theory, here's a set of practical methods for parents — you can choose safe fabrics in 3 steps:
Step 1: Check the label and confirm dual certifications: First, check the care label — it must have "GB 31701-2015 Class A + Infant Products". For imported products, additionally confirm whether there is the "OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class 1" certification mark. If not, put it down immediately.
Step 2: Choose natural materials first: On the premise of meeting certification standards, prioritize 100% combed cotton, organic cotton, bamboo fiber and other natural materials. These materials are inherently skin-friendly and breathable, with fewer chemical processing steps and lower risks. Avoid pure chemical fiber fabrics (such as polyester, acrylic), which are prone to static electricity and poor breathability.
Step 3: Conduct "small tests" for auxiliary judgment: ① Smell: Return or exchange products with pungent or musty odors directly; ② Fluorescent test: Irradiate with an ultraviolet pen — if blue light is emitted, it contains fluorescent brighteners. Even if there is a Class A label, be alert (it may be a fake label); ③ Touch: High-quality fabrics are soft and smooth, without hard lumps or roughness.
Final reminder: Even for fabrics with dual certifications, new clothes must be washed with baby-specific laundry detergent and dried before wearing. This removes loose fibers and trace chemicals remaining from the production process, providing an extra layer of protection for the baby.
Conclusion: Safety Is the "Top Priority" for Baby Fabrics
For babies, the "good-looking" appearance of clothes is far less important than "safety". Invisible hazards like formaldehyde and dye residues are hundreds of times more serious than issues like "not soft enough" or "a bit expensive". Remember: When choosing baby fabrics, first check for "Class A label" and "OEKO-TEX® Class 1", then select natural materials — this is the most reliable purchasing logic.
After all, there is no "trial and error" opportunity for a baby's healthy growth. Every rigorous choice is the most solid protection for them.
