Question from Dianne
Hi Debra,
Thanks so much for running this valuable blog.
I bought a beautiful duvet cover set recently. It is 100% cotton and did not say “Easy care” or “permanent press”. So I assumed that it was safe. I read in your blog that usually 100% cotton sheets are fine, but I should never assume…
Later I found out that it was finished with formaldehyde.
I soaked it overnight in vinegar and borax and baking soda, and washed it in hot water three times and aired it out in the sun for a few hours. I’m very much heartbroken as the beautiful colors
have all washed out. But I would rather have it safe than beautiful.
Debra’s Answer
My understanding is that formaldehyde finished NEVER wash out. However, with each washing, the amount of free formaldehyde that remains gets less and less.
I personally will not have these sheets in my house, though I do, of course, sleep on them when I am traveling, as they are in every hotel. I actually have some sheets with me on this trip, but they are queen sized and the bed where I am staying at the moment is a king.
It’s up to you to decide if you are willing to have that exposure to formaldehyde. I wouldn’t allow the sheets on my baby’s bed.
