Are most curtains treated with formaldehyde?

[sora]

I just bought some 100% cotton sheets and turned out they are treated with formaldehyde.

What about curtains? Are most curtains except organic ones treated with formaldehyde? Hemp curtains are so expensive. I'm looking for an inexpensive non toxic curtain option. Thanks!

[jennlyn]

Sora, did you ask this on Debra Lynn Dadd's blog? There may be more folks with MCS there who would know. If you don't want to worry about the formaldehyde fabric finishes, try using just blinds. I believe metal blinds are the least toxic. I first found Debra's books about twenty years ago and while I love being informed, it can also make you a bit crazy. Such as what to do when you can't afford the least toxic option. Sometimes I do think that ignorance is bliss because then I could just go out and buy things like "normal" people do and not think about how healthy a choice is this item. Most people have no idea about formaldehyde- it's kind of funny that now the news has been carrying stories about shower curtains and toxins when that info has been available for ages. Mothering was doing stories about kids and PVC toys years ago.

[JamieCatheryn]

They aren't too hard to sew yourself from cotton broadcloth, I say give that a try. Our huge living room window has curtains I sewed, the bedroom just has fabric pinned onto the curtainrod until I get around to sewing, it's worked great like that for months though.