Are Polyester Toys Safe for Babies?

Toys are essential for developing young minds. Their role in every kid's childhood is priceless. But do you ever think about what toys are made of?

Ideally, playtime should be 100% safe for our kids. But that's not always the case. 

Modern toys are crafted from different fabrics. Some fabrics are reasonably danger-free, while others, like polyester, may pose risks to the environment, wildlife, and your baby.

Polyester is one of the most widely used fabrics globally. From your clothes, furniture upholstery, and baby products - polyester is found in everything. If you want to know if polyester toys are safe for babies, you're in the right place. In this article, we explain the pros and cons of this ubiquitous fabric. We also discuss alternative, chemical-free options to polyester and offer tips for choosing the safest toys.

What Is Polyester?

First patented in the 1940s, polyester is a widely used plastic in the textile industry.

Unlike cotton and other naturally derived fabrics, polyester is a synthetic material derived from petroleum oil. It's made by reacting acids and alcohol at high temperatures.

The most common form of polyester is PET (polyethene terephthalate). It's in the products we wear, use and enjoy, including children's toys.

Are Polyester Toys Safe for Babies or Toxic?

With many manufacturers adopting cleaner and more ethical practices, obtaining the information we need about toys and knowing they're safe for kids is easier than ever. 

Brands also face enormous pressure to comply with strict safety guidelines, standards and regulations. That's because there's been an increased global awareness and demand for safe toys in recent years. In particular, ISO 8124, an international safety standard regulation, plays a crucial role in minimising the hazards and risks of toys.  

While many finished products carry safety labels, exercise caution when shopping. Not all toys on shop shelves are put through rigorous safety tests. Those that slip through the cracks might pose considerable health risks for babies.

What Chemicals Might Be Found in Polyester Toys?

You might wonder why anyone introduces polyester toys to their babies if they’re hazardous. But the truth of the matter is that polyester in its purest form is less potent than often described.

However, polyester blended with other compounds, such as harmful chemicals like formaldehyde or antimony, could affect your baby's health, with formaldehyde being a known human carcinogen. Even dyeing toys can lead to harmful toxins being introduced to the toy and absorbed by baby skin. Lead, in particular, can damage your baby's brain and developing nervous system.

Therefore, any concerns you have about the chemical effect on your child’s developing nervous system, brain and organs are justified. While low-level exposure might not be cause for immediate concern, there’s no way to fully understand the overall impact. And that’s alarming.

Watch out for these chemicals and pollutants.

Flame Retardant Chemicals

Due to their tightly woven fibres, many polyester toys are naturally flame-retardant or fireproof. However, flame-retardant chemicals could still be added as a precaution since polyester - a plastic - can melt. 

Exposure to flame-retardant chemicals might cause serious long-term consequences for your baby. Research has tied flame-retardant chemicals to health issues, including neurotoxicity, cancer, neurodevelopmental problems, and behavioural issues, among other things.

Unsafe for grown adults, the health risks of flame retardant chemicals for babies - exploring the world through their mouths - are even more significant.

Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

As kids are messy humans, it makes parents' lives easier to own stain-resistant toys. These specifically treated toys are easy to clean and can remove even the toughest spills.

But how are these toys made? Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) might be the answer. PFCS, added to polyester to make them stain-resistant, have been connected with health problems in children.

PFOA

Used to make polyester products waterproof, PFOAS has been linked to reproductive issues and thyroid disease in babies.

Are Polyester Toys Ever Safe to Use?

Polyester-made toys, clothes and products are commonly used by babies, toddlers and older children alike. Although popular, potential risks are linked to their usage, which we will explore now.

Not Breathable

Babies can't regulate their body temperature as efficiently and sweat less than us. Since the material traps heat and moisture, polyester isn't breathable and can lead to possible overheating in babies.

Being around non-breathable fabrics might make them hot, so keep a close eye on any polyester products around your home, especially if your baby interacts or plays with them.

Harsh on Sensitive Skin

Polyester can irritate the skin, leading to itchiness, redness and irritation. If your child has sensitive skin, avoiding polyester-based products is best.

Funny Smell

Have you ever caught a whiff of a baby's toys and found they smell unpleasant? Although regular cleaning is a must for every toy, polyester playthings need extra attention. They attract lots of bacteria, and neglecting to wash them puts your child at risk of developing an infection.

The Environmental Impact of Polyester Toys

We can't ignore the irrefutable harm of polyester toys on our planet. Annually, over 22.7 billion tons of polyester infiltrate the market worldwide. Derived from non-renewable sources, polyester is undeniably disastrous for the environment. Unlike other materials, which take a few months or years to break down, the decomposition of polyester toys can take decades or even hundreds of years, long outlasting the time your child plays with them.

The Case for Recycled Polyester

In 1993, recycled polyester emerged as a promising solution to address environmental problems associated with using normal or "virgin" polyester.

While technically identical, recycled polyester is made using existing plastic waste - like bottles - in contrast to burning noxious fossil fuels, as is the case for standard polyester.

From an environmental perspective, recycled polyester is less impactful. Not only does its production rely on less energy, but it converts old waste into new products.

Nevertheless, comprising non-biodegradable elements, recycled polyester still grapples with the same pollution concerns in the long term.

How to Shop for Safe Toys

If the question of "Are polyester toys safe for babies?" keeps you up at night, regain control over your sleep by learning how to toy shop wisely. Discover fun and new toys and sleeping aids while making conscious purchasing decisions.

Pay Close Attention to Labels

Labels on clothes, toys, or products you buy provide key safety information.

Many toy products are certified, meaning they've passed the universal safety requirements and tests. You'll know a toy product has been certified if it's endorsed with a certification mark. More specifically, toys in the UK might sport a UKCA marking, showing they comply with essential health and environmental standards. 

There are other more comprehensive certifications to look out for, with some of the most notable ones hailing from Oeko-Tex. Oeko-Tex is a Switzerland-born association that features several certifications and safety standards. Their Standard 100 scans for over 100 harmful substances to humans and the environment. You're guaranteed a chemical-free baby toy if you spot one of these labels at the shops.

See What the Products Are Made Of

Are you looking to switch from polyester to cotton? To the untrained eye, you might not spot the subtle differences between fabrics. Labels will tell you what materials the product includes.

Something to bear in mind: some certification standards allow manufacturers to add polyester fibres to cotton-based products. This means the product you're buying might not be pure cotton, even if that's what the brand's promising you. You will find that most products rarely have a 100% fibre content.

If you want to avoid polyester altogether, choose products made from organic cotton instead.

Why Are Polyester Toys Popular?

If polyester toys are problematic, why do people continue purchasing them?

Polyester is highly affordable, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious parents. With parenthood encompassing so many expenses, buying children's polyester toys might fit your budget, with organic playthings simply being too expensive.

Not just cheaper, polyester toys are durable and known for their high degree of resilience. They can withstand rough play, multiple washings and general wear and tear without easily breaking, shrinking, creasing or losing their shine. Overall, polyester toys are regarded as good value for money because they don't get damaged damaged nor require special care.

Polyester is cost-effective and versatile for manufacturers, making it the ideal material for mass production. It can also be moulded into various toy forms.

What Are Alternatives to Polyester Toys?

If so many types of toys are potentially dangerous, are some safe? You can find or create toys containing these chemical-free materials - cotton, wood, bamboo, and wool are excellent choices.

Cotton

Cotton, a natural fibre derived from the ripening seeds of cotton plants, is a safer and more sustainable alternative to the material polyester. Although free of harmful chemicals, cotton plants might be sprayed with pesticides. To minimise pesticide exposure, look for toys constructed from organic cotton instead.

Although you might be spending more on cotton-based toys, they offer the following benefits.

• Cotton is breathable, thereby preventing overheating

• Typically chemical-free, ensuring your baby's safety during playtime

• Cotton is biodegradable and, therefore, an environmentally friendly choice.

Bamboo

Recently, people have praised bamboo as the latest sustainable material to replace plastic across many industries.

Its popularity stems from its antimicrobial, odour-resistant and renewable properties. It's also widespread, as bamboo crops grow easily.

But before you go out to buy your bamboo toys, the process of turning raw bamboo into fabrics is controversial. While growing bamboo involves clean practices, the subsequent production process, often chemical-intensive, raises concerns.

Wood

Sustainably-sourced wood has long been regarded as a potential replacement for plastic toys.

We can understand why - wooden toys last and are often beautifully constructed. They're also timeless toys, so why not bring out your childhood toys for your kids to play with?

In addition, wooden toys aren't painted or finished with toxic paint or chemicals. That's one less to worry about if your kid likes to put things in his mouth. But do be mindful of splinters!

Takeaway

"Are polyester toys safe for babies?" There's no simple "yes or no" answer.

Indeed, chemicals are sometimes used for toy production to make them more durable, non-flammable, and weather-and-stain resistant. In addition, polyester isn't breathable. The fabric contributes to overheating and skin problems in babies, which is something to remember if you use polyester-based baby products.

If you worry about the planet and your children's future, you might not be a massive fan of polyester.

Beyond safety concerns, polyester is notoriously bad for the environment. The plastic isn't sustainable and will likely remain as waste long after your child's outgrown a toy or baby product. Thankfully, eco-conscious companies are seeking greener solutions in renewable materials.

As a parent, you do have a say over the toys you buy. Informed toy shopping is possible simply by paying attention to labels. They're everywhere and will stop you from purchasing unsafe products in the future.