Why on Earth is There Formaldehyde on My New Clothes?
This question is common among our clients. Clothes are not a dead organism needing to be preserved, so what gives with the formaldehyde in the new pairs of pants? Yet, this is not a new issue. Formaldehyde, a chemical often used in wood products, paints, glues, and even pesticides, is applied to new clothes to prevent mildew and wrinkles. Yes. Mildew can grow on clothing.
Tests done on Chinese-made clothes show that levels of formaldehyde in clothes from China are up to 900 times higher than the safety limit.
Check your tags on your clothing. How many of them say “Made in China”? A significant portion of imported manufactured clothing comes in from China every day. Those clothes that are produced in plants that do not have the same rules and regulations that you may be used to. The clothes come in big containers; they are laid out in clothing stores for you to come and purchase. Formaldehyde laden clothing that you take home and wear (or maybe wash first, it’s a good idea).
The problem with this is the fact that this chemical is toxic in several countries including the United States. Which, this is the reason why formaldehyde removal from new clothes is highly recommended. As tempting as it is to wear that new t-shirt or that new pair of jeans, washing your new items prior to wearing them is the first line of defense against formaldehyde exposure.
What Are Some Formaldehyde Side Effects?
Well, for starters, the US’ Environment Protection Agency (EPA) listed this chemical as a “probable human carcinogen.” Researchers at the National Cancer Institute also stated that exposure to significant amounts of formaldehyde, or even constant exposure to small amounts of this chemical, can cause leukemia among humans. A lot of other research bodies and institutes worldwide have concluded the carcinogenic properties of this compound, so we have good reasons to believe that exposure to formaldehyde is not safe. After reading this, formaldehyde removal will seem a lot more pressing of an issue.
It also causes a variety of reactions or formaldehyde side effects among people such as a sudden headache, skin irritation, eye-watering, and runny nose. Airborne formaldehyde, which can come from new furnishings and building materials, can also cause respiratory difficulties such as coughing, wheezing, chest pains, and even bronchitis. It is not worth the risk to continue to wear clothing that has been treated with formaldehyde. If the chemical is so dangerous and hazardous to consumers, then why are the manufacturers still using it? Because people continue to purchase clothes, not aware of the dangers of formaldehyde exposure until they either develop symptoms themselves; or a loved one develops symptoms.
What Should I Do to Protect Myself?
Although many new clothes come with toxic levels of formaldehyde, there are ways to protect yourself as a consumer. The answer to your next question is no; you won’t have to stop buying new clothes. You just have to wash them first to rid them of the formaldehyde in clothes before use. The best way is to use active cleaning detergents for formaldehyde removal from new clothes.
You need to remove formaldehyde from new clothes by using special laundry additives before using them. You should be especially cautious with clothes labeled as stain-resistant, iron-free, permanent press, or wrinkle-free. These extra features are possible when using formaldehyde.
There are do-it-yourself procedures to remove formaldehyde from new clothes, yet the problem with these is you can never be sure that they worked. Regular detergents can only remove about 60% of the formaldehyde in clothes. That means that the cleanest you can get your clothes earn a grade of a D. That’s not a passing grade. Make sure you are purchasing a detergent that passes the formaldehyde removal test.
For things a serious as preventing formaldehyde side effects, you need to use a severe solution. What you need is the tough odor removing products of OdorKlenz Laundry. The products of OdorKlenz Laundry use advanced technologies that safely and completely remove chemical odors. Formulated with the revolutionary Earth mineral technology, the OdorKlenz Laundry detergent is a revelation amongst the chemical laden clothes and detergents on the market today. OdorKlenz laundry detergent will effectively neutralize and remove a plethora of chemicals. This includes formaldehyde found in clothes while not damaging the color of your clothes. OdorKlenz will even remove mildew that may accumulate on your clothing; one of the reasons the manufacturers treat clothing with formaldehyde in the first place.
Key Takeaways
Exposure to formaldehyde in clothes poses serious health effects for us. It can cause several formaldehyde side effects ranging from short-term effects like allergic or irritant reactions to the long-term impacts like permanent lung damage and cancer. Chemicals cause these reactions which means that precautions like formaldehyde removal must be taken.
Keep yourself and your family safe by using a trusted detergent and OdorKlenz Laundry’s odor-removing detergent additives. Protect yourself and formaldehyde removal from brand new clothes.
Our Recommended Solution…
The OdorKlenz Laundry Powder offers the important step in eradicating odors out of your fabrics. Have confidence in an odorless wardrobe and trust that your linens will be free of any funky smells. Ideal for any fabric odors including smoke, grease, body odor, mildew, fragrances, chemicals, urine, or musty smells. Just use 1 to 2 scoops in your laundry load, mixed with your regular, unscented laundry detergent.
- Contains No Masking Agents or Fragrances
- Safe to Use on All Washable Fabrics
- Provides Complete Odor Elimination. Say Goodbye to Foul Odors in Your Clothes for Good!
We are confident that our OdorKlenz Technology will drastically reduce the odors in your home, if it doesn’t live up to your expectations, we will issue a full refund within 30 days of your purchase!
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