Comments on: Formaldehyde: It’s not just for embalming anymore

By: Teresa

Teresa — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:03:03 +0000

I purchased a new pair of Levi's jeans. They have an extremely stong chemical smell. Washed then 5 times with oxi-clean, 2x detergent, double rinses, etc. They still smell awful. I finally put a call in to the company and will return them…Shame because I love they way they fit and look!

By: beth

beth — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:47:57 +0000

I had no idea that there were that many chemicals on new clothing. crazy

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 02:06:11 +0000

I wish the only formaldehyde I had to worry about was in some new jeans. I am enduring Gross Anatomy class this semester. Ugh.

Thanks for the baking soda tip.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:25:48 +0000

Will the salt water/lemon juice bath fade or otherwise damage the clothing? These are manditory school uniforms that have to be kept free of defects of any kind to wear to school and I sure as heck don’t want to have to purchase more. Thanks for the info!

By: Keter

Keter — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:29:41 +0000

Formaldehyde in clothing also makes it more flammable, and can cause contact dermatitis. Washing will remove the chemical treatment. Baking soda adsorbs (yes, that’s spelled right, it is a chemical process, no a physical one) some of it, but does not neutralize it.

Try soaking the clothes in a plastic tub containing hot salt water with a little bit of lemon juice in it — place a stainless steel spoon on one side of the clothing and a wad of aluminum foil on the other…there are usually metal salts in the sprayed on solution, and the anode effect you create this way may help pull the stuff out of the fabric.

By: boogiemum

boogiemum — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:24:01 +0000

yikes. did not know this, kind of wish I still didn’t. ignorance was bliss.

I have issues with chemicals and now I really am gonna have to think about the clothing I buy.

Thanks, I guess

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:13:25 +0000

Thanks:)
I hope it rids the clothes of the nasty stuff… but for reference, do you think it will cause her “stain resistant” and “no iron” Kaki uniform shorts to stain easier and need ironing? Not that I mind if I’m ridding them of a carcinogen, just didn’t know if you can “wash” that outta them.

By: Badbadivy

Badbadivy — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:13:19 +0000

Samantha,

Enough washing will remove it, and since we all know baking soda has good cleaning properties as well as the scent-removing properties, I expect it will.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:40:56 +0000

The European Union has decided on the date September 22, 2007 to ban Formaldehyde use throughout Europe, because of its carcinogenic properties. [7]

Great, give me another thing to worry about Ivy:) So my child is wearing around clothes soaked in solutions know to cause cancer.. will the baking soda actually take the formaldehyde out of the clothing or just get rid of it’s odor?

By: Samantha

Samantha — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:32:35 +0000

Kennedy’s uniform t-shirts for school are the same way. I’ve washed them all 3 times and still the chemical smell. I even put fabric softener on them. I’ll try the baking soda. Thanks.