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A friend of a friend has recently had an issue with ironing fabric, and I told her that I would see if anyone on TQS has dealt with this. She purchased 45 yards of new fabric which she took home and washed in Synthrapol before she ironed it.
She did all the ironing in one day, and was then physically sick for about 10 days with flu-like/allergy-like symptoms. She's wondering if anyone else has had a reaction to fumes from ironing lots of cotton fabric? Could it be the fabric, or the Synthrapol???
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived ! -
Synthrapol IS nasty; it says on the bottle not to inhale the vapors. :shock: I've had challenges when rinsing home dyed fabrics in Synthrapol (needed to wear a mask). It should probably be done only in a washing machine.
I wonder if it didn't get rinsed out of the fabric well enough in your friend's case.
Jan in arrrgh it is snowing Spokane
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived ! -
Thanks, Jan. I wasn't aware of the Synthrapol danger, but will pass on your comments and will stay clear of the stuff myself!
Is this a cool web site or what?? Ask a question and get an answer is 16 minutes from the other side of the country!
Anyone else? Would love to hear any/all comments!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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When I use the Synthropol, I do at least one extra rinse in the washer. I've not had any problems with it.
Pat in Rockport, TX
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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I've not used Synthopol, but have been sick with flu/cold/allergy symptoms for a week & it's not gone away, so there may be no relation whatsoever...
ALTHOUGH-- ironing 45 yards of fabric in one day sounds like a killer all on its own!! :roll:
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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It could be the synthropol or something else in the fabric, or it could even be maybe something in her iron. Just a guess here, never heard of it, but if she had not used the iron in a while and had not cleaned it/used water sitting in the iron for a long time there might be mold that threw off spores??? Probably not that though - its just something I worried about once when water sat in my iron for a while.
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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Margo, this link is quite informative and YES it looks as though this product can be quite harmfulOriginally posted by Margo
http://images.dharmatrading.com/pdf/MSDS/synthrapol-sp-liq.pdf
Good luck to your friend, Linda in SD
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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WOW! Thanks, Linda! I'll forward this info on to her!
Now I KNOW I'll be more careful with it!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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Synthrapol is a detergent, and about as hazardous as any other detergent. If you don't drink it, try to breathe it, or spray it in your eyes, it should be fine. I do have an acquaintance who gets ill just walking through fabric stores, from the fumes of the chemicals on the fabrics. She always washes the fabrics immediately upon getting home. I always wash my fabrics, too, but I just fold them when they come out of the dryer and don't iron until I'm going to use one. I would hate to have ironed in vain, and I know I'll not live long enough to use a tenth of my fabric collection. I don't feel any particular urge to use it all--people seldom use their collectables.
Pat in Rockport, TX
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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If "Chemical splash goggles" and rubber gloves are the recommended protection when using Synthrapol, I think that the bottle I have is going to the Hazardous Waste Center. That stuff sounds awful!
I've gotten laundry detergent on my hands hundreds of times with no problem. I'm going to stay away from Synthrapol. Thanks, Linda, for the information.
It looks like it's not really needed to use for most fabrics anyway, I just found this:
"Synthrapol is a special detergent used in pre-scouring fibers before dyeing, and in washing out fiber reactive dyes after dyeing. It is also sometimes used as a surfactant or wetting agent to improve dye penetration". From http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/synthrapol.shtml
JoAnne
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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"I always wash my fabrics, too, but I just fold them when they come out of the dryer and don't iron until I'm going to use one. I would hate to have ironed in vain, and I know I'll not live long enough to use a tenth of my fabric collection."
Pat, I always wash my fabrics too but they take up much less space if they're ironed. That way I can fit in lots more. I won't live long enough to use a tenth of mine either, even if I sew day and night! It's nice to have a good selection (collection?)
Margo, I sure hope your friend is suffering no more ill effects from her use of Synthrapol. I hate to say it but she might want to rewash all that fabric or at least rinse it again. She'll have to iron it all over again, I would help her if I could. I really don't mind ironing, it's pretty much the only time I watch tv. I get a couple of good movies from the library and I'm all set for ironing.
JoAnne in southern California
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter
That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived !Comment
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I've never used Synthropol, but I appreciate the "heads up" on this one. I almost always wash my fabric before use and then fold it away on a shelf by color. I have been washing my batik fat quarters for the TQS block of the month by hand and rinsing them until no dye is apparent. Then I iron the fat quarters when they are almost dry. I think I'll start wearing rubber gloves for washing in case any chemicals might be absorbed into my skin.Comment
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even tho I am a newer generation quilter, I must have the mindset of a utility quilter.
when I bring home new fabric..I machine wash/dry the heck out of it, with my regular laundry detergent. if it's going to bleed or fall apart, I want to know before I expend all the energy making a quilt only to have it "misbehave" after completion.
most people I gift quilts to are not going to want to handle it w/kid gloves.
jmho :roll:Comment
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http://www.pg.com/company/our_commit...ric_home.jhtml
This is a website that will tell you the MSDS info on a lot of products. Very interesting.
Pat in Rockport, TXComment
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I don't know about the detergent... but and IRON AND 45 YARDS OF FABRIC , ALL DAY !!! Is enough to make anyone sick. Seriously though there is a flu going around that is much like what you are describing. I would however, reccomend she contact her Dr. and the company, perhaps even poison control. Although at this point poison control would be unable to help. Her Dr. should deffinately be made aware. She may need medication or simply monitoring for side dffects. Tell her next time go to the hardware store and buy a mask they are only a dollar or two. RachelComment
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