Why We Chose Cotton (And Why Polyester Doesn’t Belong in Baby Toys)
Let’s be real – babies put everything in their mouths. Toys, clothes, your shoulder, the dog’s tail… it’s all fair game.
That’s why what your baby’s toys are made of — especially the surface fabrics — matters. A lot.
At Quiggly, we use natural cotton for the outside of our soft toys. That’s the part your baby chews, gums, and snuggles, so it needs to be safe, breathable, and gentle.
What’s Wrong with Polyester Surfaces?
Polyester is cheap, soft, and used on the outside of most baby toys you’ll find on the market. But it has some major downsides:
- It’s a plastic-based synthetic fiber (aka petroleum-derived)
- 🌬️ It sheds microplastics — especially when chewed or washed
- It can trap heat and moisture, irritating sensitive skin
- It’s not ideal for anything that goes in your baby’s mouth (which is… everything)
Why Cotton Surfaces Are Better for Babies
Cotton is:
- Natural and breathable
- Washable without shedding microfibers
- Gentle on sensitive skin (especially for eczema-prone littles)
- Durable enough for daily use, drool, and teething
And when it’s woven tight and stitched well? It holds up better than It holds up better than polyester-based fabrics.
Where We Use Cotton (and Why)
We’ve built our softest, most chew-prone products around natural cotton - not synthetic junk. Here’s where to find it in our lineup:
High Contrast Newborn Toy Set
Includes a soft cotton rattle, organic-feel cards, and a fold-flat flashcard stand - all made with babies’ mouths and hands in mind.
Rainbow Soft Fabric Block Set
Stackable, chewable, and stitched from cotton fabric.
Soft Fabric Tissue Box Toy
Our version of the classic “pull toy” is filled with cotton tissues- because babies will put them in their mouth (and we made peace with that).
A Note on Fill Materials
Yes, some of our toys use polyester fill — because that’s what makes them squeezable, huggable, and safe to toss around. But here’s the key: that fill is fully enclosed, never where your baby’s mouth goes. The surfaces they chew, cuddle, and love on are cotton.
Polyester Might Be Common - But It’s Not Ideal
We’ve tested (and rejected) dozens of samples covered in synthetic fluff. Why? Because we don’t make toys we wouldn’t hand to our own kids.
They’re not just toys — they’re teething buddies, cuddle companions, and spit-up catchers. They live in your baby’s mouth, hands, and heart. That deserves better than polyester fabric.
Want to Ditch the Plastic Fabric?
Our cotton-based baby toys are safe, sensory-friendly, and made to last beyond the newborn stage.
🖤 Shop the Black & White Newborn Set
🌈 Shop the Soft Fabric Blocks
🧻 Shop the Montessori Tissue Box