Question from heavensabvus1
I have 100% cotton rag area rugs in my home. I love that they are cotton and love that they are completely washable. My 8′ x 10′ rug fits in the industrial washer at the laundromat and I air dry it.
Washable area rugs are exceedingly hard to find in these large sizes. I’ve ordered from a couple of places, only to return them because they reek of whatever they were sprayed with when they entered the country.
It’s time to replace a rug and I’ve found someone who makes beautiful rugs and they’re reasonably priced. They are made out of recycled clothing and are completely washable, which is great, but that also means that that clothing is not just 100% cotton, but also blends of other fibers.
Since the clothing is old to the point of now being sliced up for weaving fiber, can I hope that any finishes that might have been on a polyester blouse would have been washed away long ago?
I plan to wash them as soon as I receive them, of course, but am hoping that since the materials are so well used, they are non-toxic by now. Is it possible?
Debra’s Answer
Fabric finishes become less toxic as time goes by. These are probably fine.
