Fabric Allergies and Washing Fabric- PLEASE DO
09-16-2010, 08:23 AM
#31
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 272
Originally Posted by tweetee
The only fabric I wash is the stuff I use for the swaps, and i will soak peices that tend to bleed in some hot water then line dry. Never have I put fabric in the washing machine, all mine when i do wash it is hand washed.
I am also not overly concerned about germs. I was also brought up on a farm, and got into all sorts of mischief and unimaginable situations that were not pleasant, but had to be done. I beleive all this clap trap about 'must rid the home of all germs' is not a good thing for anybody, and contributes for the amount of allergies that we have today, and infections, as the body does not build up a good imune system to the every day germs that you will encounter on the outside of the home. Such as the "buttcrack" money (had to laugh at that one)and filthy supermarket trolleys and door handles that millions of people touch each year. Of course, keeping your home clean and tidy is a must in my book, but to go to extremes such as disinfecting every surface every day is rediculous. Have you ever noticed that the people that do this tend to get sick more often than others who are not so bothered about it? Thats just my opinion
I am also not overly concerned about germs. I was also brought up on a farm, and got into all sorts of mischief and unimaginable situations that were not pleasant, but had to be done. I beleive all this clap trap about 'must rid the home of all germs' is not a good thing for anybody, and contributes for the amount of allergies that we have today, and infections, as the body does not build up a good imune system to the every day germs that you will encounter on the outside of the home. Such as the "buttcrack" money (had to laugh at that one)and filthy supermarket trolleys and door handles that millions of people touch each year. Of course, keeping your home clean and tidy is a must in my book, but to go to extremes such as disinfecting every surface every day is rediculous. Have you ever noticed that the people that do this tend to get sick more often than others who are not so bothered about it? Thats just my opinion
09-16-2010, 08:30 AM
#32
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Some where in way out West Texas
Posts: 3,041
Originally Posted by gaigai
Originally Posted by Gerbie
I know there have been several posts in the past on this subject, but I need to add this to all others. Sat. when I was in Hancocks, my husband had to leave the store, because something in the store was bothering his allergies. The floor manager was cutting my fabric at the time and related this story to me about washing fabric. She has a friend who was sewing and cleaning up in the evening when she scratched her finger on the needle in her machine. The skin wasn't broken, so she didn't think anything about it. The finger begin to show some infection a day or so later and she went to her doctor. He put her in the hospital with a staff infection. He asked her what she was doing and when she told him, the Dr. told her to always wash all of her fab. before using it in any way, because of the dyes and what ever else might be on it, since most of the fab. comes from overseas now. Their processes may not be the most sanitary. She spent 5 days in the hospital and almost lost her finger the manager told me. She (the manager) saw the finger after the hospital stay and said it looked horrible, her finger had split open and really looked bad. SO PLEASE folks take the time and effort to WASH your fab. before using it. We just can't be too careful, and we don't want any of our other sewing friends to have any problems. I almost always wash mine, but I certainly will wash any of it now.
09-16-2010, 09:02 AM
#34
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Montana
Posts: 1,073
A quilting friend of my mom's ran over her finger with the sewing machine needle and had an infection so badly that she lost her fingertip from it. I never thought something so small could do so much damage.
I prewash my fabric due to allergies to the chemicals. Now that I have been doing that, I immediately notice the difference when I walk into a LQS or Jo-Anns. I thought it was odd that I never noticed that before as being a trigger, but when I would be around my fabrics every day, I guess I was around it enough that walking into a LQS was really no change. If I would have taken a few days here and there away from my fabrics, then walked into a LQS, I might have been able to pinpoint it faster. At least now I know what my trigger is.
Incidentally, I just got my gallon of Mary Ellen's Best Press in and used it yesterday to press several pieces of fabrics to prepare for cutting. I love it-it works great, but dried my throat and nose out enough to make me cough up a storm. I am going to call them today and see if it has the chemical that I can't handle in it. If so, I will sell it to a local quilty friend and maybe try a small bottle of their free and clear one.
I prewash my fabric due to allergies to the chemicals. Now that I have been doing that, I immediately notice the difference when I walk into a LQS or Jo-Anns. I thought it was odd that I never noticed that before as being a trigger, but when I would be around my fabrics every day, I guess I was around it enough that walking into a LQS was really no change. If I would have taken a few days here and there away from my fabrics, then walked into a LQS, I might have been able to pinpoint it faster. At least now I know what my trigger is.
Incidentally, I just got my gallon of Mary Ellen's Best Press in and used it yesterday to press several pieces of fabrics to prepare for cutting. I love it-it works great, but dried my throat and nose out enough to make me cough up a storm. I am going to call them today and see if it has the chemical that I can't handle in it. If so, I will sell it to a local quilty friend and maybe try a small bottle of their free and clear one.
09-16-2010, 09:17 AM
#35
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: West central Illinois
Posts: 2,919
Originally Posted by Lady Shivesa
Originally Posted by justwannaquilt
Next time you hold a dollar bill in your hands think about how many stipper buttcracks its been in. Are you going to wash it?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I'm sorry, but that line totally made me crack up laughing (no pun intended?), although it's kinda gross to think about. ;)
I don't wash any of my fabric, because most of what I have was given to me and is smaller, almost scrap size. Well, that and I've never been very concerned about germs. I was raised on a farm, and, well, germs have just never bothered me.
With that said, I do think it's a different matter entirely if you're doing something for a swap.
I rarely get sick and neither does my daughter. I believe you play hard and work hard all day, wash your hands often, and take a shower/bath before bed.
I do, however, agree that some people have terrible allergies and need to take more precautions. i wash all my quilts before they are given to the new owner.
09-16-2010, 10:20 AM
#36
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Washington state
Posts: 4,303
I am in the group that wonders whether the staph actually came from the fabric. Staph is on everyone's skin. To wash or not to wash is a personal decision everyone needs to decide on for themselves. i like to prewash so that if I make something there are no tragedies the first time my quilt recipient washes the quilt. if something is going to happen with the fabric, I want it to happen before I put all the time and effort into a quilt. Believe me, I have had experiences with not prewashing and don't want repeats. The one exception i would make, is to advise all to prewash fabrics for a baby quilt, or wash the quilt before giving it away.
09-16-2010, 10:56 AM
#37
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: San Francisco Bay area
Posts: 1,419
All this being said, I'll tell you what really has me concerned. I have been reading and watching the stories on TV about the spreading of BED BUGS. They are all over the country now. I am going to be a lot more careful about things I buy at garage sales, thrift shops and so on. Apparently these bugs are even in movie theatres! They give me the creeps. Once you have them in your house, you will need a professional exterminator to get rid of them. I hadn't heard of these in decades and it seems they are making a major comeback.
09-16-2010, 10:57 AM
#38
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Baileys Prairie, Texas
Posts: 294
I always wash my fabric as soon as it comes into the house. That way, I can start a project at any time and not question if it was washed. I also usually do a small zig zag edge to the raw edges and that way I know just how much it may ravel.
09-16-2010, 01:56 PM
#39
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: in the heart of the awl
Posts: 1,014
I got a staph infection from our medical clinic. It was years ago, I was cleaning in one of the exam rooms and took off my gloves because my hands were sweating. A day or so later I was in the drs office and he told me I had picked up a staff infection.
I have often pricked my finger while sewing and I never wash my fabrics and I have yet to pick up a staff infection from the fabrics or dyes. Maybe there is more to this person's story than what was told.
I have often pricked my finger while sewing and I never wash my fabrics and I have yet to pick up a staff infection from the fabrics or dyes. Maybe there is more to this person's story than what was told.
09-16-2010, 02:02 PM
#40
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 65
I wash all my fabric. My decision came after seeing a black fabric bleed a lovely shade of purple and destroyed a quilt my friend made. She was sick and so was I. But, if you ever look at the water you wash your fabric in, you'll notice it is filthy. This stuff gets handled and stored in warehouses, shipped in containers on pallets maybe wrapped, maybe not. Dirt, bugs, rodents, yuck! Staph hangs around a long time on surfaces. I am not willing to take the chance. Hygiene aside, a little caution can save us from a lot of heartache and pain.
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