Carhartt · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Force Relaxed T-Shirt
Lower concern. Plain cotton tee with no water or stain treatment.
Force Relaxed T-Shirt is untreated 100% cotton, a naturally PFAS-free material. Carhartt has not disclosed PFAS use on this product. No water-repellent coating or stain treatments detected, reducing risk.
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Material
100% cotton jersey
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
The Force Relaxed T-Shirt is constructed from 100% cotton jersey, a knit fabric with no water-resistant, stain-resistant, or flame-retardant chemical treatments applied. Cotton fiber itself is a natural polymer that does not release harmful volatiles or leach chemicals under normal wearing or laundering conditions. Jersey knit is soft and breathable because it has minimal finishing; this lack of industrial coating is a safety advantage for a basic casual garment. No synthetic coatings means no risk of Teflon-type coating fume release, formaldehyde resin hardeners, or water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) PFAS chemicals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt does not maintain a published chemical disclosure policy or GOTS/OEKO-TEX certification on most of its general casual wear lines. The brand has no documented recalls or regulatory actions tied to hazardous chemicals in cotton basics. Carhartt's stance on PFAS and restricted chemicals is largely silent in public documentation, though the company manufactures workwear globally with varying supply chain oversight. For a plain cotton tee, this lack of transparency is less material because there are fewer intentional chemical treatments to disclose.
How it compares in its category
Plain 100% cotton jersey t-shirts are among the lowest-risk garments in the casual apparel category because they typically have zero performance finishes. Most mass-market cotton tees from competing brands (e.g., Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, J.Crew) carry identical material profiles and similar or lower disclosure practices. Organic cotton alternatives (GOTS-certified) may offer reduced pesticide residue in fiber but do not materially lower chemical finish risk for an unfinished basic tee. Carhartt's version is competitively safe within this commodity segment.
If you buy it
Wash in warm or cold water with standard detergent; no special care is required. Avoid prolonged high heat (tumble drying on high) if longevity matters, as excessive heat can degrade elastic fibers at neckline and cuffs over time. Replace when fabric pilling, color fading, or seam degradation becomes cosmetically unacceptable (typically 50-100 washes with normal care). No special storage or treatment is needed; store dry in normal closet conditions.
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 resins in fabric finishes
Plain cotton jersey typically receives no wrinkle-resist or crease-set finish that would require formaldehyde-releasing resins. No evidence of such treatment on Carhartt Force Relaxed line.
Azo dyes and banned colorants
Carhartt does not publish dyestuff specifications. Standard cotton tee dyes are commonly azo-based but legally restricted azo dyes are not permitted in US-sold garments; residual free amine risk is minimal in well-rinsed finished fabric. Color fastness is adequate for casual wear.
Antimony in polyester content
Product is 100% cotton; no polyester present. Antimony catalyst contamination does not apply.
Flame retardant chemicals
Plain cotton jersey is not flame-retardant treated unless specifically marketed as such. No flame retardant coating or brominated additive reported on this product.
Formaldehyde or allergen residues from dyeing
Low levels of residual formaldehyde or dye allergens may remain after production rinsing, particularly in bold colors. Wash before first wear to reduce dermal contact; risk is minimal for most wearers but problematic for formaldehyde-sensitive individuals.
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.