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-   -   Question: Storing fabric in plastic (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/question-storing-fabric-plastic-t44634.html)

jljack 05-02-2010 09:08 PM

I think it's OK to store in plastic, as long as eventually it comes out and goes into a quilt where it can breathe a long sign of relief!!! :-)

MadQuilter 05-02-2010 09:35 PM

My fabric is in plastic bins in a cabinet but I take it out periodically to pet it.

steelecg 05-03-2010 04:13 AM

Thanks for the information

mimisharon 05-03-2010 05:15 AM


Originally Posted by BellaBoo
Plastic bags leech more chemicals faster then a solid plastic.

They often have inks and imprints that will leech into the fabrics, too.

ann clare 05-03-2010 05:47 AM

I was told not to store my quilts in plastic bags, but pillow slips. The wadding was the problem not the fabric.

ghostrider 05-03-2010 05:54 AM

It also helps to toss in a desiccant packet - those silica gel thingies you find packed in with electronic equipment or in pill bottles. They keep the humidity down in a sealed plastic tote.

Zephyr 05-03-2010 07:01 AM

When I give a quilt I try to give it in a pillow case. I used to buy them cheap at the linen discount stores but now they are gone. Some times I have enough fabric left to make a matching pillow case. On the other hand I kept the quilt my mother made for me when I was little (and I'm in my 70's) in plastic for a long long time, and no problem.

pieces 05-03-2010 07:11 AM

Fabric should not be stored in plastic containers. Fabric needs to breath. Plastic boxes outgasses formaldhyde. The fabric therefore can become toxic from this outgassing. Fabric pieces can be stored in a baggie while you are working on a project to keep pieces sorted. But long term is not recommend since the fabric isn't able to breath.
I'm sure this is a topic with a lot of opinions.

ghostrider 05-03-2010 09:56 AM


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.

JRSAY 05-03-2010 10:08 AM

You also forgot about storing them in cedar chest which also is a no-no.


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