Carhartt · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Carhartt Men's Relaxed Fit Midweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
Lower concern; plain cotton tee with no known water-repellent coating treatment.
Basic midweight cotton pocket tee with no water-repellent or stain-resistant finish. No PFAS-related coatings expected, though Carhartt does not publicly disclose chemical details.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
100% cotton, no water-repellent finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shirt is 100% cotton with no water-repellent (water-repellent coating) or stain-resistant chemical finish, which eliminates the primary vector for PFAS in textiles. Plain cotton fibers are inherently low-risk for synthetic chemical residues during wear, though the dye and finishing processes used during manufacturing remain the main concern. The relaxed fit and mid-weight construction suggest standard yarn spinning and weaving with no specialized treatments that would introduce additional chemical hazards.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt does not publicly disclose detailed chemical safety testing results or PFAS management policies on retail product pages; the company's stance on restricted substances is largely silent relative to competitors like Patagonia or REI Co-op brands. No major recalls or public health controversies have been documented for Carhartt basic cotton tees. The brand is known for durability-focused manufacturing rather than chemical transparency, so independent safety certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS) are not standard on their mainstream lines.
How it compares in its category
A plain cotton tee without finishes sits at the lower end of chemical risk compared to performance or outdoor apparel treated with water-repellent coating, antimicrobial, or moisture-wicking coatings. Carhartt's workwear positioning means this product avoids the trend toward functional finishes in casual retail; it is chemically simpler than most branded tees with added treatments. If chemical minimalism is the priority, GOTS-certified or OEKO-TEX-labeled alternatives offer third-party assurance, though this product's untreated nature is inherently safer than treated competitors.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to remove residual dyes and finishes from manufacturing. Launder in warm water with standard detergent; no special care is needed beyond standard cotton maintenance. The plain cotton construction means it will soften and may pill slightly with age, but has no chemical coatings to degrade. Avoid chlorine bleach and high heat drying to preserve dye integrity and reduce unnecessary chemical stress.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Formaldehyde-releasing resins (finish/wrinkle resist)
No wrinkle-resist or easy-care finish is listed; plain cotton tees typically do not receive formaldehyde-based resins unless marketed as no-iron or permanent-press, which this product does not claim.
Azo dyes and heavy metals in synthetic dyes
The shirt is dyed (color unspecified in product name), and standard textile dyeing can involve azo dyes or trace heavy metals if not controlled. Carhartt does not publish dye standards, so residual dye exposure during wear and laundering is a low-level but unquantified risk. Pre-wash recommended to reduce loose dye.
Antimony in polyester or synthetic blends
Product is certified 100% cotton; antimony is only a concern in polyester items. This hazard is not applicable.
Flame retardant chemicals
Casual apparel is not subject to flame retardant requirements in the US; 100% cotton naturally resists rapid flame spread. No flame retardants are expected in this product unless explicitly added, which is not indicated.
Phthalates or BPA in printed graphics or labels
If the shirt includes screen-printed logos, logos ink may contain phthalates or other plasticizers; standard printed care labels pose minimal exposure. Product description does not specify print type, so risk is low but not zero in typical branded workwear.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More waterproof sports undergarments grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.