Is there any way to wash out flame retardant from clothing?

[NaturalMamma]

DD begged me to purchase this cute nightgown with kittens on them. Unfortunately it says that it is flame-resistant. I don't feel comfortable with DD wearing clothing that was treated with those chemicals. Is there anything I can do to get it out of the clothing? Soak it in something?

[tanyalynn]

Washing in a very strong solution of washing soda will help with some flame retardant chemicals (antimony, specifically), not sure how many chemicals are used to make clothing flame retardant though.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group.../message/33670

I've done this with clothing, I dump about 1/2 box into a load of laundry, wash on hot, and repeat (with more washing soda) and then wash another time just to get all the washing soda out when I'm concerned (used clothing or gifts of PJs like your situation).

I don't know about other chemicals used to make clothing flame retardant though.

[tanyalynn]

So I had to start looking around because I've been wondering the same thing, what besides washing soda could help?

Found a site describing how flame retardant clothing _should_ be washed to maintain the flame-retardantness, so doing the opposite a few times should help, though I'm really not clear on just how much.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4842212_wash...t-clothes.html

I'm wondering if some grated Dr. Bronner's soap (actual soap, not detergent, bar soaps like Dial and such are often detergents these days) a few times would work (and not suds too much in a front-loader).

[mom61508]

I'm wondering the same thing! Dd has a few with flame retardents

[Therese's Mommy]

Can you sew or do you know someone who does? How about going out to the fabric store and having your dd pick out some cute fabric and making her some nightgowns? I will only dress my girls in cotton/natural fibers (for the most part, but definitely only cotton at night). They really wanted nightgowns, but it isn't possible to find ones that fit my criteria of all natural and no flame retardants. So, now I just make their nightgowns.

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by Therese's Mommy

Can you sew or do you know someone who does? How about going out to the fabric store and having your dd pick out some cute fabric and making her some nightgowns? I will only dress my girls in cotton/natural fibers (for the most part, but definitely only cotton at night). They really wanted nightgowns, but it isn't possible to find ones that fit my criteria of all natural and no flame retardants. So, now I just make their nightgowns.

I wish I could do that!!!! You're awesome

[nataliachick7]

My ds begged me to buy these dinosaur pajamas but i hate that they have the chemicals. he also got 3 MORE pairs of dino flame resistant pajamas for christmas!

What is washing soda and where do you find it?

[tanyalynn]

Washing soda is this stuff, sodium carbonate.


http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-washing-soda.htm

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...LAID=351933682

I don't know if there are other brands, but since my local Ace doesn't carry it, but they will let me buy online and deliver to the store w/o adding shipping, that's my plan. Some people use it to make their own laundry detergent, and so sometimes local stores (walmart, target, maybe even lowe's) will carry it, but I have found it difficult to locate.

[nataliachick7]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

Washing soda is this stuff, sodium carbonate.


http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-washing-soda.htm

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...LAID=351933682

I don't know if there are other brands, but since my local Ace doesn't carry it, but they will let me buy online and deliver to the store w/o adding shipping, that's my plan. Some people use it to make their own laundry detergent, and so sometimes local stores (walmart, target, maybe even lowe's) will carry it, but I have found it difficult to locate.

awesome thank u. im guessing it would be next to the regular detergents if they had it?

[tanyalynn]

when I've seen it, yes.

[NaturalMamma]

Thanks for all the info.
p.s. I can sew a little, but have not learned to sew beyond pillowcases, an apron and other simple items. One of these days I'd love to take some classes. But, by then I imagine I'll be sewing for grandchildren.

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by TanyaLopez

when I've seen it, yes.

Borax is different?

[tanyalynn]

yes. you can read the ingredients, I forget what borax is, but it's a different chemical.