Yes, PFAS are widely used in clothing to make it waterproof, stain-resistant, and wrinkle-free, especially rain gear, activewear, and school uniforms. The reassuring part is that skin absorption appears limited, so the main concerns are environmental and during manufacturing. You can largely avoid it by choosing natural fibers and PFAS-free labeled gear.
Key takeaways
– PFAS create water-, stain-, and wrinkle-resistance; textiles use a large share of all PFAS produced.
– Studies found PFAS in water-resistant school uniforms and outdoor and performance gear.
– Skin uptake is limited, so the bigger issues are the environment and manufacturing. California and New York banned PFAS in apparel from 2025.
Where PFAS hide in your wardrobe
Manufacturers apply PFAS to fabrics for performance: water repellency, stain and grease resistance, and wrinkle-free finishes. That puts them in raincoats and outerwear, performance and outdoor gear, stain-proof and water-resistant uniforms, some activewear, and water-repellent accessories. Industry figures suggest a large share of global PFAS production goes into textiles. A study of school uniforms found that all of the water-resistant and stain-proof ones tested were positive for PFAS (NEWMOA summary).
How much reaches your body
This is where calm matters. The EPA notes only a small amount of PFAS gets into the body through skin, and a McGill University analysis stressed that the presence of a chemical in clothing is not the same as a meaningful health risk to the wearer. The strongest concerns are environmental: PFAS shed into wash water and persist, and factory communities face exposure. Tight, sweaty garments worn for long periods are the most-discussed wear case, but the evidence for significant skin absorption remains limited.
How to avoid PFAS in clothing
Read the labels. Terms like waterproof, water-repellent, stain-resistant, grease-resistant, and wrinkle-free often signal PFAS treatment. Choose natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and hemp for everyday and skin-close items, especially underwear and base layers. Look for PFAS-free or PFC-free outdoor gear, which more brands now offer. A simple home check: a water droplet that beads up and rolls off treated fabric suggests a PFAS finish, while untreated fabric soaks it in. See the broader plan in how to avoid PFAS and the separate issue of microplastics from synthetic clothes.
The regulatory shift
Rules are catching up. As of January 2025, California and New York banned the sale of apparel containing intentionally added PFAS, and major activewear brands have faced scrutiny and investigations over PFAS in their products. That is steadily expanding the PFAS-free options on the shelf.
FAQ
What clothing contains PFAS?
PFAS are common in waterproof, water-repellent, stain-resistant, grease-resistant, and wrinkle-free items: rain gear, outdoor and performance apparel, some activewear, and stain-proof school uniforms. Marketing terms describing those properties are the main clue.
Can you absorb PFAS through clothes?
Skin absorption appears limited, according to the EPA and analyses like McGill’s, so wearing treated clothing is a lower-exposure route than water or food. The bigger concerns are environmental shedding in the wash and manufacturing, though tight, sweaty garments are the most-discussed case.
How can I tell if my clothing has PFAS?
Check the label for waterproof, water-repellent, stain-resistant, or wrinkle-free claims. A simple home test: drop water on the fabric; if it beads up and rolls off cleanly, the fabric likely has a PFAS-type finish, whereas untreated fabric absorbs it.
Does washing remove PFAS from clothes?
Washing does not reliably strip PFAS finishes, and some PFAS comes out into the wash water and enters the environment. So laundering reduces neither the treatment on durable items nor the broader pollution; choosing PFAS-free or natural fabrics is the real fix.
What clothing is PFAS-free?
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and hemp are PFAS-free, and a growing number of brands sell outdoor gear labeled PFAS-free or PFC-free. With California and New York banning PFAS in apparel from 2025, safer options are becoming easier to find.
The bottom line
Waterproof and stain-resistant clothing is a major PFAS use, but skin exposure is limited, so this is more an environmental and manufacturing story than a direct health threat to wearers. Favor natural fibers and PFAS-free labels, especially for skin-close items, and let the new bans widen your choices.
