Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

[Guest guest]

Instinctively I would say exposed to the open air, hanging in the breeze. Seems

to me it would only make it worse to keep it in a bag.

I have soaked items that smelled moldy in Powdered Power from National Allergy.

It's an oxygen deoderizer and works really well. Depending on how bad the smell

is I soak things for 1 hour or overnight. I also put some unscented detergent

in with it. Then I wash it.

--------------------------------------------

Is it more effective to put clothes, towels, etc. with mold, dust, chemicals in

the sun sealed in a plastic bag or have them exposed to the open air?

....Corky

[Guest guest]

Open air!!!!!

>

> Is it more effective to put clothes, towels, etc. with mold, dust, chemicals

in the sun sealed in a plastic bag or have them exposed to the open air?

>

> ...Corky

>

[Guest guest]

Why not soak them in the washing machine overnight with bleach, borax and

detergent?

>

> Is it more effective to put clothes, towels, etc. with mold, dust, chemicals

in the sun sealed in a plastic bag or have them exposed to the open air?

>

> ...Corky

>

[Guest guest]

My washer is in the main bathroom in the center of the house where the 4 rooms

meet.  I don't want to risk fumes.  Even baking soda bothers me just pouring

it into the washer, toilets and tubs.

 

I don't see anything on the towels/linens but I washed them a few weeks ago in

my washer-- in Oct I washed those ? dusty/musty (no black spots on them) thrift

shop towels to use for rags so I don't know if my washer is 'back to

normal'. Since Oct I had run the washer w/ various combinations of detergent,

bleach, peroxide, baking soda.

....Corky

Why not soak them in the washing machine overnight with bleach, borax and

detergent?

[Guest guest]

I would have to agree, you put a plastic bag in the sun with clothes in it and

condensation is bound to build up in it.

>

>

> Instinctively I would say exposed to the open air, hanging in the breeze.

Seems to me it would only make it worse to keep it in a bag.

>

> I have soaked items that smelled moldy in Powdered Power from National

Allergy. It's an oxygen deoderizer and works really well. Depending on how bad

the smell is I soak things for 1 hour or overnight. I also put some unscented

detergent in with it. Then I wash it.

>

> --------------------------------------------

> Is it more effective to put clothes, towels, etc. with mold, dust, chemicals

in the sun sealed in a plastic bag or have them exposed to the open air?

>

> ...Corky

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Corky and Group-

 

Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or if it's

more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash them.  If

they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however long it

takes. 

 

Due to a chemical poisoning 10 years ago, I have MCS thus the whole chemical

thing is my biggest challenge.  With any toxic washable items that are too

risky to put in my own washer/dryer located in the kitchen, on goes the

respirator and I head to the local public laundromat for the first couple of

washes so the primary offending chemicals are released in the laundromat instead

of my  home.  I usually do one or two washes combining my wonderful

laundry detergent along with Borax and also add some of the original version of

OxiClean (the one w/out bleach), which boosts the Borax.  After each wash,

I take a couple of the items outdoors and do a sniff test and if I smell/feel

myself reacting, then wash the load again and again and again to however many

times it takes to not detect anything. 

 

Once I get to that point, it's now ok to rewash them at home without risking

extreme contamination of my living environment.  So I'll pull the items out of

the public washer while still wet and bring them back home to my own washing

machine using...are you ready for this...milk.  The Healthy Household book by

Lynn Bower page 229 turned me onto milk which is AWESOME for removing chemicals

from materials, particularly new department store clothing saturated

with antiwrinkling agents and other chemical stuff. In addition, it also seems

effective with any of the laundry product residual that the material picked

up from using a public washing machine.

 

After a milk wash and to see how effective all the washing has been and even

with hang dry items, I put them in my dryer just long enough for the heat to

start offgassing any residual chemicals that may be left on the

material.  Unless I am super exposed, I usually smell/feel it pretty quickly so

if that's the case, back in the milk wash they go. 

 

Once all washing with milk is done, then I do a final wash using just my laundry

product to remove the milk and also add a little white vinegar to remove any

residual buildup on the material from all the washing.  And voila..I'm finally

done!  I bought a new washable winter coat and had to do this procedure for 6

washes before removing all the chemicals and was ok with the coat. But to be

honest, usually it's not that complicated and with most items, usually

only takes one or two milk washes then the final wash.  

 

Just a note to any other folks w/MCS...I was very lucky to find this laundry

detergent that I've been using for years.  The company who developed this

product has a strong focus on items for hunters.  I am not a hunter but it makes

sense that since most animals have a keen sense of smell, hunters might like to

use products that are as scent and chemical free as possible.  Thus it's been

the perfect laundry cleaning product for me and also does a great job of

washing.

 

In the instance of doing any type of offgassing such as a bakeout/airout, I have

an enclosed back sunporch that works great for this purpose.  Although putting

items in the sun will eventually work in time, nothing seems to work as well

as intense heat that speeds up the offgassing process just like an oven, which

is what my sunporch is like during the warm weather.  It is fairly well sealed

off from my interior living environment and it's ended up being such a blessing

for me to have.  Even in this cold climate where I live, it averages over

80 degrees during a normal non-winter day with the sliding doors closed and well

over 100 degrees when the weather starts warming up.  So I keep the sliding

doors closed during the day for that super bakeoff then open the doors in the

evening for an airout of the items and also the room itself.  And just keep

repeating day after day until the item I'm offgassing is cooked, so to

speak..lol...

 

As far as the washing machine, when I first bought this house the previous

owner had used regular laundry products.  Although strong dilutions of vinegar

can be bothersome, I went ahead and soaked the tub numerous times with diluted

white vinegar and water. Wasn't strong enough so I finally ended up putting an

entire gallon of white vinegar in the tub then filled w/water and let it sit

like that for something like a week and that's what worked.  I sealed the entire

machine with plastic sheeting to reduce the vinegar smell in the house and also

like any offgassing project, did this in the summer when I could open the

windows and circulated fans in the room. As far as the dryer, the previous owner

had used scented dryer sheets so I kept wiping down the interior dryer drum with

milk and also took old towels washed in milk, some washed in vinegar and just

kept drying-rewashing-drying-rewashing them over and over again.  Oh yeah and I

also eventually replaced the ducting on the dryer with new hard ducting that I

first washed down with TSP, then vinegar and water then aired it out till I

could tolerate it.  

Of course none of this could be accomplished without my wonderful respirator

mask which once I found it, allowed me to do things from tackling public

laundromats to voc free painting to even mowing my own lawn.  Boy, life with MCS

is certainly a bizarro adventure..lol...

 

Kathy

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: " corky lux "

Fri Jan 7, 2011 9:31 am (PST)

My washer is in the main bathroom in the center of the house where the 4 rooms

meet.  I don't want to risk fumes.  Even baking soda bothers me just pouring it

into the washer, toilets and tubs.  I don't see anything on the towels/linens

but I washed them a few weeks ago in my washer-- in Oct I washed those ?

dusty/musty (no black spots on them) thrift shop towels to use for rags so I

don't know if my washer is 'back to normal'. Since Oct I had run the washer w/

various combinations of detergent, bleach, peroxide, baking soda.  Corky

Why not soak them in the washing machine overnight with bleach, borax and

detergent?

[Guest guest]

More about milk please...dry powdered milk??, how much per load, etc. Thanks!

>

> Hi Corky and Group-

>  

> Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or

if it's more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash

them.  If they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however

long it takes. 

>  

>

[Guest guest]

yes,bazzaro for sure. when I was dealing with moldy belongings out side airing

helped alot, later on my sister gave me a bed comforter and matching sheets,ect.

I asked her to please wash ammonia and dry with no fabic sheets ect, so I could

tolerate them. she desided hanging them out on the line would be something I

would be very happy with. so she came down and proceeded to take them out of the

bag and make my bed, she was fluffing them all around and I couldn't stop the

caughing attack. she couldn't believe it,I didn't exspect it either.

whatever was in the air that day wasn't good for me.

I know this wouldn't always be the case, just a bad air day.

I had to wash them all again, the only smell I could make out was just a dusty

smell.

>

> Hi Corky and Group-

>  

> Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or

if it's more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash

them.  If they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however

long it takes. 

>  

....snip

[Guest guest]

Apparently boiling clothes is a really good way to get rid of chemicals and more

effective than soaking. It might be worth an experiment as well.

From: barb1283@...

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2011 20:56:08 +0000

Subject: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

More about milk please...dry powdered milk??, how much per load, etc. Thanks!

>

> Hi Corky and Group-

>

> Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or if

it's more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash them.

If they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however long it

takes.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb and Group-

 

I know....milk of all things, go figure.  Learned years later that it has

something to do with the enzymes in milk and the way they interact

with chemicals.

 

Ok so as far as amount, I play around with it but first started off with what

The Healthy Household book page 229 suggests as follows:  

 

" If you're a person who finds new clothing odors objectionable,  some sensitive

people have found that adding 1/2 - 1 cup of powdered milk per wash load will

help remove these smells " . 

 

I grew up drinking powdered milk and knew to first pre-mix it in a jar with a

small amount of very hot water, just enough to turn the powder into liquid milk,

then add it to the washing machine load.  However, I have an MCS friend who

wasn't aware of that and put the cup of powder right into a tepid laundry load

and had the gross clump thing going on..lol...  So good idea to first mix it

with hot water into liquid state then add to the laundry load.

 

I play with the dosage of milk depending on how difficult it is to erridicate

the chemicals.  For example, when I was washing my new coat, I was using closer

to 2 cups per load and also letting it soak a little longer. I think I also

added white vinegar with some of the loads as it is also so good at reducing

odors/erriadicating chemicals. When I bought a new cotton blanket, it only took

1 cup milk wash then the normal wash afterward.  So I just play with the

amount till I achieve my objective.

 

It is also ok to use liquid milk purchased at a store as long as it is 100%

whole milk...not 2%, 4% or any or those...it's best to use the whole milk.  I

personally use the powdered cause with the amount I can go through, it's much

cheaper.

 

Milk of all things..lol...but it really does work.

 

Kathy

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: " barb b w " barb1283@...   barb1283

Sat Jan 8, 2011 3:21 pm (PST)

More about milk please...dry powdered milk??, how much per load, etc. Thanks!

>

> Hi Corky and Group-

>  

> Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or

if it's more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash

them.  If they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however

long it takes. 

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Thank you for all of the information/tips. It's very helpful. (I'm just trying

to figure things out and advice like yours...from someone who's already been

there and found solutions is SO helpful!)

I was wanting more information on respirator masks. What kind works for you?

(If you prefer to reply offline, feel free.)

Thank you,

Debbie H

>

> Hi Corky and Group-

>  

> Not sure how much of your issue involves an intolerance to chemicals or

if it's more about the mold but for me, if the items are washable then I wash

them.  If they are not washable, I do a non-bagged bakeout/airout for however

long it takes. 

>  

> ....snip

[Guest guest]

Half face respirators :  the cartridge will depend on what you are going to do,

use it for.  I usually get a P100 with a MG Vapor cartridge.   North, 3 M, 

It also depends what material you are sensitive to, if you are : silicone mask

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/respiratory-protection-half-face-respirators.h\

tml

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/3m75seulhafa.html

God Bless !!

dragonflymcs

Mayleen

________________________________

From: debh172 <deb172@...>

Sent: Sun, January 9, 2011 12:31:22 AM

Subject: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

 

Kathy,

Thank you for all of the information/tips. It's very helpful. (I'm just trying

to figure things out and advice like yours...from someone who's already been

there and found solutions is SO helpful!)

I was wanting more information on respirator masks. What kind works for you? (If

you prefer to reply offline, feel free.)

Thank you,

Debbie H

[Guest guest]

I am in Phoenix-- does condensation apply here?

....Corky

 

I would have to agree, you put a plastic bag in the sun with clothes in it and

condensation is bound to build up in it.

>

[Guest guest]

It definitely applies during the Monsoon season. Also, any time that you have

water intrusion into the home

Re: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

I am in Phoenix-- does condensation apply here?

...Corky

I would have to agree, you put a plastic bag in the sun with clothes in it and

condensation is bound to build up in it.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Mayleen-

 

That's a really good point cause I do generally do better with a silicone

polymer than the synthetic rubbers and my current mask is silicone.  Perhaps

that may also be why it's so much softer on the part that cups the face.

 

Thanks for the link to your mask/cartridge source as I am always shopping for

best selection and price.  I tripped upon Allergy Be Gone a while ago and have

found their pricing to be consistently good yet am always open to new

sources.  I do have some projects in my life that I would do much better with a

full face mask and it looks like Discount Safety Gear has a nice slection so

thanks for posting about them.

 

Kathy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

Half face respirators : the cartridge will depend on what you are going to do, 

use it for. I usually get a P100 with a MG Vapor cartridge.   North, 3 M,   It

also depends what material you are sensitive to, if you are : silicone mask

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/respiratory-protection-half-face-respirators.h\

tml

God Bless !!

dragonflymcs

Mayleen

 

[Guest guest]

Shouldn't the subject line be changed ?  -- putting clothes, towels in the sun

was my post.

 

Thanks...Corky

From: baahstun@... <baahstun@...>

Subject: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

" Sick Buildings " < >

Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 1:14 PM

Hi Mayleen-

 

That's a really good point cause I do generally do better with a silicone

polymer than the synthetic rubbers and my current mask is silicone.  Perhaps

that may also be why it's so much softer on the part that cups the face.

 

Thanks for the link to your mask/cartridge source as I am always shopping for

best selection and price.  I tripped upon Allergy Be Gone a while ago and

have found their pricing to be consistently good yet am always open to new

sources.  I do have some projects in my life that I would do much better

with a full face mask and it looks like Discount Safety Gear has a nice

slection so thanks for posting about them.

 

Kathy

----------------------------------------------------------

Re: [] Re: putting clothes, towels in the sun

Half face respirators : the cartridge will depend on what you are going to do, 

use it for. I usually get a P100 with a MG Vapor cartridge.   North, 3

M,   It also depends what material you are sensitive to, if you are :

silicone mask

http://www.discountsafetygear.com/respiratory-protection-half-face-respirators.h\

tml

God Bless !!

dragonflymcs

Mayleen