In a recent post, I looked at toy recalls and safety with a search for American and European-made toys and toy safety certification information. A reader followed up with her concerns about the problem of dyes and toxic chemicals in children's cloth toys. I agree with her concerns, especially for very young children's plush toys and dolls.
Question
'I am concerned about the dyes in materials and the cloth material items. Obviously about the only place to get silk is China, but where are the other soft cloth toys coming from and who uses safe and/or natural dyes?' A Concerned Grandma
Answer
While current toy recalls tend to be related to magnets, lead, choking, strangulation, noise, and toxic chemicals in children's play make-up and plastic toys (U.S. PIRG 22nd Annual Survey of Toy Safety), it makes sense for parents to be concerned about dyes and toxic chemicals in cloth-based toys.
The vast majority of high-quality cloth toys and accessories are undoubtedly safe for children. The problem for parents is we just don't know for sure. Some toy manufacturers focus on assuring that their products are organic or otherwise environmentally safe. These are a few that I found. If you know of others, please share with us in Comments.
Under the Nile
Cloth toys mainly for babies and toddlers made with 100% organic cotton.
Barbara Sansoni Eco Toys at Global Exchange Fair Trade Online Store We love the blue monkeys, but you'll find other cloth toys made with 100% hand-woven, natural fabric dyed in Sri Lanka using environmentally safe pigments.
miYim Plush Toys
Beautiful plush toys from a company that always uses 100% organic cotton in its manufacturing process.
Shop these favorite toy stores for 100% organic cotton plush toys from Kallisto, Keptin-Jr, and Lana Organics.
For more information on organic and other safe fabric toys, visit the Challenge and Fun blog where you can follow an expert wholesaler/retailer of children's toys who has a passion for green living.