Question from Cheryl Van Beek
Hi Debra,
I know Polyester is not the best fabric but I’m opting for a wrinkle resistant pair of men’s pants.
I’m trying to get rid of my husband’s slacks that say “wrinkle free” and 2 pair that actually have Teflon in them.
The ones specifying wrinkle free were bought quite awhile ago and I believe they were chemically treated to be resistant because they were all cotton.
Is it at least a step in the right direction to purchase pants that are cotton polyester blend because the manufacturer tells me they are wrinkle resistant but not chemically treated–just resistant because of the polyester?
Some pants need to be replaced because they are worn out and others could last awhile longer.
So, in general, is 60% cotton 40% polyester blend that hasn’t been treated w/wrinkle resistant chemicals a little healthier than Teflon and or the chemical wrinkle treatments?
And, in the case of the pants that have Teflon and or the treatments would they have lost most of their toxicity over years and are therefore safer than the new untreated cotton poly-blend?
Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
I’ve never heard of a cotton-poly blend that is not chemically treated. It’s common in the industry to treat poly-cotton with a formaldehyde-based resin to make it wrinkle-free. Who is this manufacturer? Let me talk to them.
To answer your question, yes, 60% cotton 40% polyester blend that hasn’t been treated w/wrinkle resistant chemicals would be a little healthier than Teflon and or the chemical wrinkle treatments.
And, in the case of the pants that have Teflon and or the treatments, yes, they would they have lost most of their toxicity over years and are therefore safer than the new untreated cotton poly-blend.
I was recently told by Dockers that there ‘wrinkle-free’ men’s pants are NOT treated with any chemicals. However, they smelled very ‘sweet’ out of the package (same odor as Jockey underwear that is definitely treated with chemicals – just google it!) and after the pants were washed in baking soda and soaked, too – and then washed in vinegar, and an eco-detergent – they still smelled when dry. Returned them. After much research, I believe the many posts online that say everything imported is fumigated, disinfected and sprayed with pesticides in the shipping crates – and that’s the smell – HOW can this be ok with consumers? I’ve tried for months to find khakis for men in my family, that are made in USA – good luck! Even if ‘made in USA’ – most of them are made of imported (sprayed) materials. Buck Mason is made in USA with USA-grown cotton (for most of their clothing). But styles are limited and expensive. Very tired of all of this – and my husband needs new pants!
I copmpletely understand your frustration and wish I had more choices to offer you. I remember back in 1978 when I first became aware of toxics in consumer products, the ONLY natural fiber clothing available that was untreated was cotton jeans and t-shirts. We’ve come so far and yet there is much further to go.
On the dockers men’s pants………….
I have had the best results with these. I can wash them enough to lower the chems that might bother me. I don’t wear these, yet, when I’m around my husband they do not bother me. Also, when they hang in the closet, I have no problem with them.
I’m not sure I’d want to wear them myself.
Interesting research. I’m glad you posted. Thanks.
di
Thanks very much Debra. Dockers told me they offer some men’s pants that are not treated to be wrinkle resistant that still provide some wrinkle resistance due to being a cotton poly blend .
I’m able to get some shirts that are 100% cotton offer some natural wrinkle resistance by virtue of their weave or weight and free of stain or wrinkle resistant treatments, but not pants. Pants that offer any wrinkle resistance w/out such treatments I’m told, are all cotton poly blends. Is it healthier to replace the shirts but not the pants? Or based on your answer above, instead of replacing all his old wrinkle/stain resistant shirts and pants with either new (untreated for wrinkles/stains) cotton poly blends—or in some cases heavier 100%cotton shirts and seer sucker etc. which are naturally wrinkle resistant, is it healthier to stick with the wrinkle resistant old ones when we can? Is there a difference between how long toxicity of stain resistance versus wrinkle resistance lasts in clothes?
Thanks again.
I don’t know a difference in how long wrinkle resistance lasts vs stain resistance. Both are designed to be permanent.
Just check with Dockers to make sure the cotton/poly fabric isn’t treated with any kind of formaldehyde-based finish, as those fabrics often are.