Another lead paint question...

[Adamsmama]

I don't know if I'm just being paranoid or not...so need some help.

A relative lives in a very old house that very clearly has lead paint (even some chipping) in their home, which they will be renovating. I was given some things that were mine or our families in a box. Some things were textiles and others dishes/antiques. I recently went through the stuff but wondered if any of it could contain lead dust (it was being stored in their house for maybe a few months prior to me getting it). Is it crazy for me to be concerned. The antique dishes I hand washed with dishsoap and warm water and dried before putting away. However, the textiles, I'm not sure what to do with. I know lead can be in a lot of things--including the soil/dirt we bring in on our shoes--so is this any different? Should I just wash these articles? We have 2 small children and are ttc so I think I'm just being a little paranoid but wanted some other's viewpoints.

[boongirl]

Lead is something that can be around us in our daily lives without doing us any hard. But, it can do great harm to someone who inhales or ingest a lot of it on a regular basis. Are your children going to be near these textiles? Would they possibly be chewing or sucking on the textiles? Because unless your children are going to be sucking or chewing on them or playing with them in a way that would cause extreme dust to leave the textiles and be inhaled, there is nothing to worry about.

What are these textiles, anyway? Can they be washed or rinsed?

[Adamsmama]

They are actually hand made/woven/ table cloth and rugs. If I washed it in our washer would my washer have high levels of lead? Or would it rinse right out?

[mrzmeg]

I would wash them, then follow with a empty load with vinegar.

Lead dust can certainly be on the items, liquid dish soap bonds with lead and does a good job of taking care of it. Another thing to consider, though, is that many antiques --- both glazed dishes and metal objects --- were actually made using lead, so you may want to limit kids' exposure to them and be sure to wash hands after handling them.