UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Why all of the bother?
Conventional polyester stuffed animals are soft, fluffy, squishy, and come in endless cute characters. And they're cheaper. So why opt for natural fabrics? If you're a family who is trying to reduce your household's exposure to toxins, then you might already gradually adopting practices like buying organic food, avoiding plastic kitchen items, or using gentle cleaning products. But what about the textile items that are around our children the most - clothes, bedding, and favorite snuggly toys? While it is easy to find 100% cotton clothes and sheets, non-toxic stuffed animals have largely slipped through the cracks in the public eye. Toy companies that are doing this good work are hard to find due to niche markets, manufacturing restrictions, and international shipping charges. That's why Three Wishes Toy Shop is doing the legwork for you. We already went down the rabbit hole for our own kids - so now you don't have to.
What's so bad about polyester?
- Polyester on its own would be highly flammable, so during its manufacture, Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR) must be added. BFR are similar to "Forever Chemicals" like Per/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). They are slow to degrade and can build up in the human body, causing hormonal, neurological, and metabolic issues.
- To soften the fiber, polyester often contains Phalates which can also cause hormonal, neurological, and metabolic issues.
- Polyester, especially recycled polyester, sometimes contains Bisphenol A (BPA), another cause of hormonal disorders.
- Polyester, especially recycled polyester, easily sheds microplastics, which build up in the human body and the environment. This can cause hormonal issues and cellular damage.
So if polyester is so bad, why do some of your toys have polyester filling?
"Perfection is the enemy of the good." Unfortunately, finding stuffed animals with 100% natural filling is quite rare and can be cost prohibitive for a lot of families. Our ideal toys would have both natural exteriors AND interiors, but since the exterior is the part that your child is coming into contact with the most, it is extra important. For these reasons, we do include some brands with polyester filling.
What about those in-between materials?
Corn Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Soy Fiber are made from plants instead of petroleum, but involve a lot of processing to turn them into their plastic-like form. They don't inherently contain BPA or Phalates, but I am still in the process of researching the full manufacturing details. These materials do require flame retardants, but most eco-conscious companies opt for bio-based flame retardants rather than Brominated Flame Retardants. I am still in the process of researching the exact products used by the brands I am selling.