Microplastics
Material-class model assumption
Cotton is recorded as Natural Fiber with no listed microplastic polymer, so it does not add a microplastic-source penalty.
Natural Fiber
Cotton clothing: health and sustainability score
Cotton is a plant cellulose fiber. A cotton label identifies the disclosed fiber, not the pesticides used in farming, the dye, or any wrinkle or stain finish. Conventional cotton is not automatically safer or more hazardous than a synthetic on every factor.
Where it shows up
Everyday tees, underwear, denim, and kids' basics where breathability matters more than stretch or water resistance.
What the evidence supports
U.S. fiber labels must name cotton when it is present, but they are not required to list processing chemicals. Farming inputs and finishing chemistry are separate questions from the fiber name.
What remains unknown
Without a product-specific certification or finish disclosure, dyes and residuals remain unknown. Organic farming claims need their own standard; they are not implied by the word cotton.
Primary sources
- Textile Fiber Rule (U.S. Federal Trade Commission)
- The Standard (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 (OEKO-TEX)
Reviewed 2026-09-05.
How the model interprets this fiber
MaterialsDB records cotton as a natural cellulose fiber with no listed microplastic polymer. Remaining score pressure, if any, comes from other recorded defaults such as processing energy—not from a test of a particular shirt.
No default penalty
PFAS uncertainty
Material-class model assumption
MaterialsDB does not apply a base PFAS penalty to Cotton. Product-level water, stain, or performance finishes can still change PFAS risk.
Half-life and biodegradability
Material-class model assumption
Cotton has no persistence penalty in MaterialsDB, which generally reflects better biodegradability than petroleum-based synthetics.
Fiber shedding
Material-class model assumption
Cotton has no default microfiber-shedding penalty in MaterialsDB. Garment construction and laundering still matter.
Manufacturing energy
Material-class model assumption
Cotton carries a manufacturing-energy penalty, so production impacts remain part of the score even when microplastic risk is low.
Other fibers to compare
Best next step
Paste the full fabric label into the homepage checker. A 95% cotton, 5% elastane garment will not score the same as 100% cotton, and the checker handles those percentages.
Use the material-label checkerRelated scored products
1293 visible scored products include Cotton.
Linen Duvet Cover and Pillow Sham Set
Brand: Kotn
98/100
HomeDuvet Covers
Ensemble drap-housse et oreiller en lin
Brand: Kotn
98/100
HomeSheets
Linen Fitted Sheet and Pillow Set
Brand: Kotn
98/100
HomeSheets
Sea Bloom Print Duvet Cover
Brand: Coyuchi
97/100
HomeDuvet Covers
Willow Organic Throw
Brand: Coyuchi
96/100
HomeBlankets
Birch Organic Duvet Cover
Brand: Coyuchi
96/100
HomeDuvet Covers
Birch Organic Duvet Set
Brand: Coyuchi
96/100
HomeDuvet Covers
The Natural REM Mattress
Brand: Coyuchi
96/100
HomeMattresses
Category guides where Cotton shows up
Cotton is on the look-for or watch-out list for these categories. Each guide ranks scored products and explains what the fiber label can tell you.
Common questions
Does Cotton clothing shed microplastics?
Cotton has no listed microplastic polymer in MaterialsDB. Garment construction and washing can still release fibers.
Is Cotton biodegradable?
Cotton has no half-life penalty in MaterialsDB, which is a better biodegradability signal than petroleum-based synthetics.
How should I check a Cotton blend?
Use the Greener Closet material-label checker with the full percentage label, because blends can change the final score even when Cotton is only one part of the garment.