Question from Audrey
Hi Debra,
I have a friend (man) who is mcs and cannot buy fruit of the loom or Hanes underwear anymore – it is treated with an odor guard – right on the package he says that it is written Dow Chemical. I cannot use Jockey for Her panties anymore – Ever since they are not made in the U.S. they have a very strong chemical odor that I cannot get out by either airing out or soaking in baking soda or vinegar. I cannot afford the organic ones. What can we mcsers do???
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Any recommendations?
Here’s a press release about the addition of Odor Guard to Fruit of the Loom:
Quite a few options here, unfortunately most are pretty high-priced.
https://www.treehugger.com/slideshows/sustainable-fashion/sweet-sexy-and-sustainable-9-lingerie-brands-women/
OK now you made me go look at this whole list because I have to evaluate it for you…
LARA INTIMATES UK website and couldn’t find materials listed on website in less than 1 minute
BROOK THERE I don’t approve— 94% organic cotton, 6% spandex.
AIKYOU German website, all in German, no translator
SOPHIE HINES Oh good. Sells sewing patterns for DIY undies and bras, in addition to its own lingerie. But their signature fabric is organic bamboo jersey, not acceptable to me. It’s rayon, not a natural fiber. But thumbs up for the patterns!
STYLE SAINT. OK this is where “green” and “sustainable” are not the same as “nontoxic.” From their website: “*Made from American made Nylon Spandex blend
*Milled, Dyed, Cut & Sewn in Los Angeles
*100% sustainable, 200% awesome.” What is sustainable about nylon spandex? The only thing good here is that it’s made in the USA. OK but it’s made from nonrenewable petroleum.
SVALA Qualifies for the Treehugger list because lingerie is trimmed with reclaimed lace.
I’m going to stop writing. I looked at all the rest of the recommended websites and NONE were made from 100% nontoxic fabrics, even though they did save energy and water and were fair-trade.
I order bras from decent exposures. I order underpants from Cottonique. You can order cottonique on amazon. I’m extreme MCS and amazingly haven’t had any problems with them. https://www.cottonique.com/collections/womens-bottoms
organic underwear (organic cotton + elastane) is sold by pact organic (sold at whole foods, target, and pactorganic.com
I’m getting so tired of companies leaving us with no options – and adding all this ‘stuff’ to their products. Jockey for Her is SO strongly ‘scented’ — finally found out it’s most likely fumigants and disinfectants used on products and shipping containers from overseas.
Finally found Decent Exposures (thanks, Debra!) and love the company.
Hope this helps.