Has anyone risked washing a costume used for a play/recital type event and have had it coming out looking ok? My daughter is allergic to formaldehyde and it's in all the costumes these days. I was hoping one of you ladies had attempted to wash it out with an old costume and can let us know if it washed/dried well with all the colors/shape in place? I found a link on eHow on how to get rid of formaldehyde, but am nervous to try it on her costumes that she'll need soon.
[Reply to some questions below: Well, they are issued costumes for a stage production. She's breaking out in hives a few minutes after they touch her skin. It's so strong on one of the outfits that even the barrier of the coconut oil on her skin isn't working for that outfit. I was told by the admin at the studio not to wash them for fear of ruining them, but I can't let her wear it knowing it will do that to her without at least trying to wash it in some small way? I like the few suggestions offered of trying a spot and going from there. Another lady said I might do a wipe with water, vinegar and baking soda blend on just the inside where it will touch her skin? Am going for the spot idea and then maybe the wiping idea and will post the results here in case other ladies run into the same problem - fingers crossed. The outfits are 65$ and if I ruin one we don't have time to replace it. And I found one of her old recital costumes that she never wore because we left that studio - I've tossing it in the washer with some vinegar and cold water and will see how that worked out. It says on the label no washing, no dry cleaning but it's nylon,rayon/polyester. Here goes nothing.. :) I appreciate all the ideas. Thank you!]
Issued costumes => Meaning the director tells us what to wear and she orders them but we have to pay for them :) They are our costumes. My apologies for the confusion.
Ok, after extensive research on the molecular structure of formaldehyde I learned they use for clothing is a variant of it called benzaldehyde. It is either soluble in water or alcohol. So I made a blend of 50% water and 50% witchhazel and 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel in an 8oz container. I misted the select spot areas, per the recommendations here in this forum, that touches her skin, let it sit for a minute and then wiped it off with a damp terry cloth. This blend [minus the aloe] will supposedly convert the benzaldehyde into benzoic acid which is harmless to the skin - no itchies! The aloe seals whatever is left on the clothing. Benzaldehyde doesn't migrate so once it's wiped off or converted - it's gone from that particular surface or converted permanently. We tried it and it worked. I don't know exactly how it worked but am way happy about it. No ruined outfits and no itches or terrible rashes! Thanks for all the support here. It is really appreciated.
New add: Leigh, yes I have to wash all her clothes and she's allergic to synthetics - terrible rashes start right away. She's healthy as can be, but her skin is sensitive. This is why I started panicking when I found out the only thing they make costumes is out of plastics (synthetics) and then put this preservative on them. She was getting it two fold. So the Aloe layer is helping for the material barrier and yes I have a hose cut for her body core to keep the clothing off her skin as much as possible up till now. I started with Coconut oil on her skin early on. That and the body hose usually works but these new costumes were reeking of chemicals and I didn't really notice until her rash just popped up out of nowhere and she started ripping them off in a panic and crying. And it's disconcerting when the labels all say 'No Dry Cleaning' too...sorta leaves us hanging out there on our own and we can't ruin the outfits or our child doesn't get to perform...no time to order new ones... I really appreciate all the help here in this forum of understanding and helpful people!
Hi Leigh, no Benedryl isn't an option either. Her dermatologist is happy I found some way to help her with her other patients - LOL! The Doc took down the spray recipe and the coconut instructions (she believes in trying natural approaches first) and says she'll be handing it out and letting me know how well it works for her other patients who are having this same problem. She doesn't like to recommend cortisone on small kids and only prescribes it in extreme cases, and this one in her mind wasn't extreme enough, thankfully. She liked the coconut oil approach and wants feedback on how it goes with us. We have a show in the 3rd and my fingers are crossed that the solution works for the entire time.
Can you hand wash it? I think I would try that before putting it in the wash. If you have to put it in the wash, I would probably not dry it. Does it have sequins or anything?? Put it inside out and use the gentle cycle.
Your spray sounds perfect.
B., I totally get this. My child dances and like you we are told what to buy but we purchase the costumes -- but yes, if we were to ruin them it would be on our heads and she might not dance if her costume were ruined! And we had a close family friend who had intense issues with formaldehyde in all clothing so I have absolutely heard about what you describe.
I'm glad you found a solution for treating the costumes. I would add -- does your daughter ever wear a nude leotard under her costumes? That will not cover arms, legs and neck but could at least keep the costume from directly touching her trunk. In dance, once girls are past the younger years, they wear thin, fleshtone leotards under everything -- it makes it warmer and more modest in the changing rooms and they have at least one thin layer between themselves and the costumes. These leotards are found online at any dance site or in any dance store. I would talk with her studio about her being permitted to wear one.
In fact, I'd talk with her studio pretty seriously period. They may think, "Oh, it's just one mom complaining about some little rash" and may have no idea how painful and extensive that rash can be. (If they are jerks about it...walk.) Your child cannot perform her best if she is scratching herself or in pain and if they care about the performance they should realize that. The studio has no control over how the costumes are made, of course, but they should work with you as much as they can.
Also, does the allergy exhibit itself with other clothing items? Do you have to wash stuff several (or many) times before she can wear it? Formaldehyde is in more clothing than people realize. Our friend had to wash new items for several months, weekly, until she could wear them, and she would buy a lot of used clothing and then wash that a lot before wearing it (buying used with the thought that it had already been washed many times). It's not an easy allergy and it's one that many folks think is "just overreacting" or "not that big a deal." Don't let anyone tell you to pipe down about it.
Your daughter is seeing a doctor about it, right? Can she take Benadryl or other antihistamines to help with it? Again, doing a play or show while on antihistamines is not ideal since they make you sleepy but ask the doctor if that might help. But if your magic spray works long enough to keep her OK, I'd do that instead. Good luck.
I would take it to the dry cleaners. But having said that. My kids have all had costumes for dance recitals and never had an issue with them. as far as play costumes go unless your child is in some huge production on stage the outfit is going to be regular clothing. what kind of costume is it that your not comfortable throwing it in the washing machine?
another thought is to put something on under it. if it is a ballet costume can she wear a leotard under it? you can always get one in tan/nude color that might be a barrier to it.
Formaldehyde is used with most clothing/fabrics/textiles/shoes, during processing.
Even jeans etc. Even baby clothing etc.
Even cosmetics etc.
Not only costumes.
Take it to the dry cleaners.
There are "green" dry cleaners nowadays.
Or look up costumes made with organic cotton and dyes.
I would try hand-washing a small, inconspicuous spot. If it turns out alright, go for it.
Here's the thing. It's someone else's property. You can't do anything to it. SO I suggest you find out if you can make her something that is just for her. It's too bad she's having a reaction.
I am allergic to wool and every band uniform I ever wore was wool. I wore a turtleneck and thick tights under it. Even in the summertime.
I really haven't ever came across this issue. None of our costumes have caused this sort of reaction. But I've only worked in the costume shop as a seamstress at OU and had kids in dance recitals for their dance studio and then the costumes the OK ballet brought with them for Nutcracker a year ago.
I wash all our dance costumes. They're mostly some sort of leo with stuff you put on with/over it.
Gees.. You do know if you test your hands you'll probably find arsenic.... OMG
If you're that freaked out about it, take them to the dry cleaners.
I would go to the experts. Visit your local dry cleaner for advice. Explain your situation and ask what you could do. Also google formeldahyde removal. Also ask her doctor what you might be able to do to diminish her reaction. I'm guessing there's at least one other family out there who has had to deal with this allergy. All my best.
