Originally Posted by pieces
Plastic boxes outgasses formaldhyde. The fabric therefore can become toxic from this outgassing. I'm sure this is a topic with a lot of opinions.
Polypropylene, the most common plastic used for storage tubs of the type used for fabrics (it's marked with a 5 and the letters PP), contains no formaldehyde. It is, in fact, also used for drinking straws and yogurt containers. I find no reference anywhere of plastics containing formaldehyde in today's production. Plastics may or may not outgas chemicals, but formaldehyde is not one of them.
On the other hand, fabrics are coated with the stuff as part of the manufacturing process. It wouldn't matter where it is stored, if it's not prewashed it is outgassing formaldehyde.