Also, most commercially dyed fabrics already come treated with a host of chemicals that don't always come out with a single run through the washer. I always give my fabric the sniff test before washing and if it has a slightly strange odor, I wash it several times before ironing.

Thanks for all your help and advice, ladies! I passed it on to her!

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. Rachel

http://www.pg.com/company/our_commitment/msds/fabric_home.jhtml

This is a website that will tell you the MSDS info on a lot of products. Very interesting.

Pat in Rockport, TX

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

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.

"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

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

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

WOW! Thanks, Linda! I'll forward this info on to her!

Now I KNOW I'll be more careful with it!

Margo wrote:
Margo, this link is quite informative and YES it looks as though this product can be quite harmful

images.dharmatrading.com/pdf/MSDS/synthrapol-sp-liq.pdf

Good luck to your friend, Linda in SD

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.

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!!

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