Question from Bonnie Johnson
Two years ago I had a contracter seal some areas in my spare room closet for ants.
Although I gave him some caulk to use he managed to run out and replaced it with another.
I am really sensitive to glu and caulk, I could not go in the closet for a year and even now it bothers me.
During the first year I had a lot of clothes I love stored in the closet. Last year I took them out and washed them all twice but due to cancer treatments never wore them. This year I decided to try them and have been very reactive to them. I have washed these clothes about 4 times now. I can not imagine that the seal is still in the fabric but maybe that is the case.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the caulk toxin out of my clothes? Or at this point are they a total loss?
Debra’s Answer
I agree with you. I cannot imagine that there is still any contaminant left in the clothing.
Readers, any ideas on this?
It’s unclear if you stored the clothes back in the same closet after washing them a year ago. If so, I would get them out of there, air them outside and wash them up to 10 times, if necessary, before deciding whether you can physically tolerate them.
Meanwhile, I hope that problematic caulk has been fully removed, replaced with something more tolerable, the closet has been scrubbed and, if possible, aired out. If airing out is not possible (e.g. it’s in a well used room), your next best option (after washing) may be to place a container of loose carbonated coconut, etc. (like that used in air purifiers) in the closet to help absorb problematic residues (which can persist for years in enclosed spaces). One reliable source of loose carbon is E.L. Foust (foustco.com). NFI, YMMV. Good luck!
Do u have a small item, like a T-shirt u can test as follows? Obtain a tightly sealing plastic container. Put item in it. Add enuf isopropyl alcohol to cover (soak for 1 to 3weeks,tigjtly covered OUTSIDE IN THE COOL SHADE.Use neoprene (or triple) gloves &carbon filter mask when handling. When enuf time has elapsed, remove item from iso alcohol, squeeze out, air dry OUTSIDE on clothesline or rack (usually dries within hrs or less in summer). Once dry, u might sniff-test, but this may be misleading. Soak in agreeable soap for 1-plus weeks.Rinse,dry,try…. I use 70%isopropyl alcohol. It’sfairly inexpensive at Walmart.Definitey can re-use. Do not breathe it,do not get on your skin. I use a food safe tight lifded tub that’s approx a gallon size. Might need to mailorder.
When removing chemicals from clothes I wash them and hang them at least three times. And maybe add baking soda to the wash water and let them soak before washing. I think that if you wash them and put them in the dryer you bake the chemicals in. I could be wrong but that’s my theory. Just wondering whether you hung them to dry or put them in the dryer.
The key is that caulk is a polyurethane base in most cases. The hydrocarbons and voc molecules are trapped in the fibers after absorbing them for a year. You need to open the fiber so it can release.
#4 Final stage is to Use HOT WATER to wash
#3 AGITATE frequently while soaking in a detergent you deem safe for you
#2 SOAK the clothes in whatever you choose to open the fibers
#1 is to first find degreaser that can permeate a polymer…that is wherein lies the rub. A water base can’t really break a polymer base. In chemistry you remove with the principle of “like” bases. Water with water, oil with oil.
I would try grapefruit seed extract as it is an acid and a bit oily and fragrance free. BUT, It is expensive in quart size. Another option is adding salt to the water…even pretreating/hand scrubbing the fabric with salt and lemon scrubs.
And, of course, last but not least, just buy a new wardrobe and don’t store anything wearable in that closet.
Recently I still react to dry cleaning from a coat that was done in 2006. I took it to a consignment shop to sell and just from touching the bag my hands start burning. It was aired out out of the plastic bag before bringing it in the house and it was at my husbands office for 2 years in a closet. I’m getting rid of it. I’m tired of dealing with it.
Try soaking them for 24 hours in two cups of white vinegar and one cup of baking soda for a full load of laundry then wash.
Try putting an open can of cheap coffee in the closet and leave it for a month. (It got rid of skunk scent in our car and it has also helped me deal with Low VOC paint fumes and caulking in the bathroom).
Last attempt I’d hang them out in the sun & rain for 6 months.
I tried buying a few pieces of clothing at Goodwill. I got tired of repeatedly washing things with no success and having them hang outside forever (which did work). Now I’d just take them to Goodwill instead of dealing with clothing outside constantly. FYI, I don’t buy anything made of material at Goodwill…just glassware. Goodluck!