Here is an eco-friendly toy from Under the Nile made of organic Egyptian cotton and stuffed with cotton scraps purchased in 2022. This is a company we recommend for both their high quality materials and their positive reuse of cotton scraps in their toys. Their cotton is GOTS certified organic and they also produce a line of woven washable rugs that are popular for nurseries and children’s rooms.
Reading on the fabric:
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| None detected | ||
| Other Elements | ||
| Fe | 44 | +/- 12 |
| Zn | 6 | +/- 3 |
All samples were tested in consumer goods TestAll mode using a Niton XL3t 700S for at least 30 seconds. Results are rounded to the nearest whole number.
How did this item perform compared to lead limits for kid’s products?
No elements of interest were detected.
The federal lead restrictions for children’s products as defined in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, which limits products intended for use by children 12 and under to 90-100 parts per million lead.
This item is a new children’s product and is subject to this regulation.
Antimony is frequently detected at trace levels in new polyester toys or in cotton toys with polyester stuffing. This is due to antimony’s use as a catalyst in the manufacture of PET plastic. Toys made entirely from natural materials, like this product, are typically non-detect for antimony.
We Prefer:
We like toys like this one from manufacturers who use natural materials like cotton and wool. As a bonus we prefer toys that are GOTS certified, which regulates both how cotton is grown and chemical treatments applied to the fibers. The textile industry is a major source of industrial pollution and we prefer to purchase things that have a minimal impact on the environment.
But don’t feel bad if your toy is made of polyester or contains trace antimony, as polyester does. It is important to keep risks in perspective and it is unlikely that a polyester toy or other product will have any meaningful impact on a child’s health. Some parents prefer to buy toys made from natural fibers and are concerned about the body burden of micro plastics, which is an emerging area of research. We’re not perfect either: we own both organic and polyester toys.
Where You Can Buy Similar Products:
Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. By shopping for any item on Amazon starting with our links, you help support our business and testing.
Under The Nile Organic Cotton Duke The Flat Dog Toy, Size 9″ Tall
Why we like it: It is a soft gentle toy perfect for babies to mouth and it is easy to wash and dry. Here is the original toy on Amazon.
Under the Nile Organic Cotton Stuffed Fruit or Vegetable (Banana)
Why we like it: This option from Under the Nile is both hilarious and affordable.
Why we like it: Here is a toy from a company named Apple Park made from natural organic fabrics and non-polyester stuffing. The outer fabric is organic cotton and the filling is a biopolymer derived from corn. The inner fiber washes and dries easily, and behaves like polyester filling.
Disclaimer: Our recommendations have not always been personally tested by us but are likely to be lead free or low lead and/or cadmium based on our research into the materials, discussions with manufacturers, and/or testing on similar products. We only recommend items we would use love and ourselves.
We provide our XRF testing for general educational or informational purposes only to help consumers identify low lead and lead-free products. We hereby disclaim any and all warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or responsibility with respect to how any person or entity chooses to use the information on this website.