News

If you've shopped for baby clothes recently, you've probably seen the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label. It's one of the most common textile certifications in the world — and one of the most misunderstood. Here's what it actually means, what it doesn't cover, and why it still matters for your baby. What OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certifies OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests finished textile products for over 100 harmful substances, including heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticide residues, allergenic dyes, PFAS, and pH levels. Every component of the product — fabric, thread, buttons, zippers — must pass testing. Crucially, it tests what baby actually comes into contact with: the finished garment as sold. Product Class I: The Baby Standard OEKO-TEX divides products into four classes based on who they're for. Product Class I is for articles intended for babies and toddlers under 3 years old. It's the strictest tier — with lower permissible limits for harmful substances than adult clothing — because of the higher sensitivity of infant skin and the fact that babies put everything in their mouths. When you see OEKO-TEX Standard 100 on baby clothes, it's being tested to Class I standards. What OEKO-TEX Does NOT Cover This is important: OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a product safety standard, not an organic or environmental standard. It doesn't require organic fiber sourcing, say anything about how workers were treated in manufacturing, or address environmental impact of production. A product can be OEKO-TEX certified and still be made from conventional (non-organic) cotton with synthetic dyes — as long as the finished product passes the safety tests. OEKO-TEX vs GOTS: What's the Difference? GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifies the entire supply chain — from organic fiber sourcing through processing, manufacturing, and labeling — including social and environmental standards. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifies the finished product's safety only. Both are legitimate and meaningful. The best products carry both certifications. If a product only carries one, GOTS gives you more supply-chain transparency, while OEKO-TEX gives you direct product safety testing. How to Verify an OEKO-TEX Label Every genuine OEKO-TEX Standard 100 label includes a certification number and a testing institute name. You can enter this number at oeko-tex.com/certificate to verify it's current and legitimate. A label without a number should be treated with skepticism. The Bottom Line OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a valuable, science-backed safety standard that tells you a product has been tested and doesn't contain harmful chemicals at levels that would pose a risk to your baby. It's not a greenwash — it's real testing by an independent institute. Combined with GOTS certification, it gives parents a very high level of confidence in what they're buying. Shop at Everetts Place Every product is hand-vetted for safety certifications — GOTS, OEKO-TEX, PFAS-free, and more. → Bamboo Pajamas Collection → GOTS Certified Swaddles Collection → New Arrivals Collection → 📚 Helpful Resources from Everetts Place 🌿 Why Choose Organic for Your Baby? ✨ Everetts Rewards — earn points on every purchase

Building a nursery is one of the most joyful parts of preparing for a new baby. It's also one of the most important opportunities to reduce your child's exposure to harmful chemicals. Newborns spend up to 16–18 hours a day in their nursery — the air quality, furniture, and textiles in that room matter enormously. The Crib and Mattress The crib mattress is the most important non-toxic purchase you'll make. Conventional mattresses can off-gas flame retardants, vinyl chloride from PVC covers, and VOCs from adhesives. Look for GREENGUARD Gold certification, which limits VOC emissions for products used in children's spaces. Also look for mattresses that are PFAS-free — waterproofing on conventional mattresses is often achieved with PFAS coatings. For crib sheets, choose GOTS certified organic cotton or OEKO-TEX certified bamboo. Paint and Air Quality Paint off-gasses VOCs for weeks or months after application. Choose zero-VOC paint (not just "low-VOC") and paint at least 4–6 weeks before baby arrives. Open windows and run an air purifier during and after painting. Once baby is home, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is a worthwhile investment — it captures dust, allergens, and fine particles. Furniture Pressed wood and MDF furniture (common in flat-pack nursery sets) can off-gas formaldehyde from the adhesives used in manufacturing. Look for furniture certified to GREENGUARD Gold or made from solid wood with non-toxic finishes. If budget is a concern, secondhand solid wood furniture refinished with zero-VOC paint is an excellent option. Textiles: Rugs, Curtains, and Upholstery Wall-to-wall carpet can harbor dust mites and VOCs. A washable area rug in GOTS certified organic cotton or wool is a healthier choice. For curtains, avoid stain-resistant or wrinkle-free treatments (often PFAS-based) and choose organic cotton or linen. If you're using a glider or rocking chair, look for upholstery that doesn't use PBDE flame retardants. Cleaning Products Switch your cleaning routine before baby arrives. Conventional surface sprays and laundry detergents contain fragrance chemicals, preservatives, and surfactants that can irritate baby's skin and respiratory system. Choose fragrance-free, plant-based laundry detergent for all baby items. For surface cleaning, diluted white vinegar or an EPA Safer Choice certified cleaner works well. Quick Non-Toxic Nursery Checklist ✓ GREENGUARD Gold certified crib mattress ✓ PFAS-free mattress cover ✓ GOTS or OEKO-TEX certified crib sheets ✓ Zero-VOC paint, applied 4–6 weeks early ✓ Solid wood furniture or GREENGUARD Gold certified pieces ✓ PFAS-free textiles (curtains, rugs, upholstery) ✓ HEPA air purifier ✓ Fragrance-free, plant-based cleaning products ✓ GOTS or OEKO-TEX sleep sacks and pajamas Shop at Everetts Place Every product is hand-vetted for safety certifications — GOTS, OEKO-TEX, PFAS-free, and more. → Hypoallergenic Baby Bedding Collection → Breathable Bamboo Crib Sheets Collection → Bath Items Collection → GOTS Certified Swaddles Collection → New Arrivals Collection → 📚 Helpful Resources from Everetts Place 🍼 Build Your Organic Baby Registry Guide 🎁 Shop Local Gift Baskets 🌿 Why Choose Organic for Your Baby? 😴 Nursery & Sleep Essentials Registry Guide ✨ Everetts Rewards — earn points on every purchase

Sleep sacks are a staple of safe infant sleep — they keep babies warm without loose blankets in the crib. But a 2023 investigation revealed that some popular sleep sacks contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS. If you haven't checked your baby's sleep sack yet, now is a good time. What Are PFAS? PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment — or in the human body. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to disrupted hormone function, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children. The developing bodies of infants are particularly vulnerable. How Do PFAS End Up in Baby Sleep Sacks? Manufacturers sometimes apply PFAS-based finishes to sleep sacks to make them water-resistant or wrinkle-free. The chemicals aren't always listed on the label because they're considered a processing aid rather than an ingredient. Some companies also source outer shells treated with DWR (durable water repellent) finishes, which are often PFAS-based. How to Find Truly PFAS-Free Sleep Sacks Look for sleep sacks that explicitly state they are PFAS-free or "fluorochemical-free." OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification prohibits PFAS above trace levels — it's one of the most reliable signals. GOTS certified products also exclude PFAS in processing. When in doubt, contact the brand directly and ask whether they test for PFAS in finished products. What We Carry at Everetts Place Every sleep sack we stock has been vetted for PFAS. We prioritize brands that use GOTS certified organic cotton or OEKO-TEX certified bamboo, with no water-resistant chemical treatments. Our collection includes options in every TOG rating — from lightweight 0.5 TOG for summer to cozy 2.5 TOG for winter — so your baby sleeps safely year-round. Safe Sleep Reminders The AAP recommends keeping the crib completely empty — no pillows, bumpers, or loose blankets. A fitted crib sheet and a sleep sack are all you need. Choose the right TOG for your room temperature, and always make sure the neck and armhole openings fit snugly so the sleep sack can't slip over baby's face. Shop at Everetts Place Every product is hand-vetted for safety certifications — GOTS, OEKO-TEX, PFAS-free, and more. → PFAS-Free Sleep Sacks Collection → 1.5 TOG Sleep Sack 📚 Helpful Resources from Everetts Place 🌡️ TOG Calculator — find the right warmth for your baby 😴 Shop Sleep Sacks at Everetts Place 🌿 Why Choose Organic for Your Baby? 🔬 PFAS-Free Baby Products: What Every Parent Needs to Know Shop PFAS-Free Sleep Sacks ✨ Everetts Rewards — earn points on every purchase