natalieg

I found out that I have an allergy to the formaldehyde in fabric. I am not allergic to scents or other chemicals, just this one. I bought a gallon of Mary Ellen's Best Press because it is an awesome product. I started having a lot of issues with it every time that I use it. Throat hurts, coughing, itching, etc.
I called them and the lady on the phone wouldn't even let me hardly get a word in, told me that she is sure it doesn't have formaldehyde in it and it must be the scents bothering me. Told me to buy the unscented one.
I have been tested for several scents, absolutely no reaction to any of them.
Does anyone know of a starch that is good for formaldehyde allergy sufferers?

gale

I don't know but here's a tip I read to make something that supposedly works as well as Best Press. I'm going to try it when I remember to go get a small thing of vodka.

http://www.freckledwhimsy.com/2010/0...tuesday-7.html

you mix it 1 part Vodka and 3 parts water. If you have a 16 oz spray bottle, you will mix 1/2 cup of Vodka and then fill the rest of it with water. Shake well. Spray spray. Iron. Voila!

amma

Maybe try to find out if formaldehyde is called something else? It could be hiding in there and no one knows it... it could also be handy knowledge for other items as well.

EasyPeezy

I make my own starch. It's cheap and even if it flakes a bit it doesn't
bother me as I wash my quilts when I'm done. Might not use it on a
wall-hanging.

In a large bowl or pot, stir 1/2 cup cornstarch into 1 cup of cold water.
Stir in boiling water (2 quarts for heavy solution; 4 quarts for medium and
6 quarts for light solution).

If you only need a small amount then half or quarter above quantities.
Sometimes I add a bit more water for the heavy solution as it gets
a bit too thick. You can try and adjust as you wish.

When the cornstarch solution is cool, I use a paintbrush to apply it on
my fabric. Let is soak for at least 30 mins. If I don't have time to iron
I just put everything in a ziploc and put it in the fridge for the next day.
If it's too wet I roll the fabric in a towel first and iron on the wrong side
with a cloth on top so that the starch doesn't stick to my iron. When
the heat has absorbed most of the humidity then I continue to iron
without the cloth. Hope this helps.

cassiemae

I also have used best press and it works but can get to be a little expensive. I also have a spray bottle of starch that
I have made up mixing starch from a jug with water.

mom-6

It may not be the Best Press itself that is the problem, but rather what it does when it combines with the dye, finish, sizing or some other component of the fabric you are spraying it on.

stewyscrewy

oh you poor thing more alergies to mess with your quilting life. hope you can findthe sorce and get it out of your life.

virtualbernie

Going to try this, thanks! :thumbup:

EasyPeezy

Sorry but what a waste of vodka. Just drink it. LOL

judylg

So what is wrong? Perfect take a sip, spray and iron and keep repeating, after a bit it would not matter to me. Funny. But really with the price of the Mary Ellens, it could work and really not cost much more, especially if you used cheap vodka. Thanks for the hint.