Do you remember the last time you accidentally touched fiberglass insulation and ended up with tiny, sharp shards of glass sticking to your clothes? Those who have experienced this know how difficult it can be to get rid of them. Fortunately, you can easily get rid of fiberglass strands by following a few simple steps. First, gently brush the area with a stiff-brisled brush to loosen the fibers.
Next, soak the clothing in a solution of vinegar and water for 30 minutes. Finally, wash the clothing as normal in your washing machine. By following these simple steps, you’ll have your clothing looking and feeling fresh as ever in no time!
How Does Fiberglass Appear on Clothing?
Most people have probably experienced the discomfort of fiberglass on their clothing. It’s that annoyed feeling of something sharp and itchy, like a splinter, but you can’t seem to find the source. And fiberglass is typically invisible to the naked eye. So how does fiberglass end up on our clothes?
Fiberglass is most commonly found in insulation materials, as it is an excellent conductor of heat. It is also often used in construction, automotive and marine applications. Fiberglass can be released into the air when these products are installed or disturbed. Once airborne, the tiny fibers can float for long periods of time and eventually settle on surfaces, including clothing.
When fiberglass comes into contact with skin, it can cause irritation and even burns. Therefore, it’s critical to take precautions to avoid fiberglass exposure, especially when working with insulation or other fiberglass-containing materials.
Advice on Removing Fiberglass From Clothes
Remove your clothing in a location where the fibers won’t ruffle off onto other textiles after ending a project or workday where you were exposed to fiberglass. Take off your clothes and keep them away from other laundry or furniture. For instance, avoid draping it across the bed or a chair since the fibers can spread. It would be better to just toss the garment into an empty washing machine and plan on washing it by itself rather than mixing the pieces with others.
The amount of disturbed fiberglass you were exposed to will also determine how clean and free of fiber you can get your clothing. A standard wash cycle, or two or more, may be sufficient to get your clothes ready for the next day.
How to Get Fiberglass Out of Clothes
First, make sure you’re always dressed appropriately if you have to work with fiberglass items. Put on latex gloves and a set of armor that can prevent fiberglass particles from getting on your skin or into your clothes. Another excellent method is to slather oneself with petroleum jelly, paying specific attention to the exposed areas because they are more likely to attract fiberglass.
Here are the steps you need to take to remove the shards from your clothing:
- Take off your clothes and dry brush them in a well-ventilated environment so that the fibers won’t transfer to other clothing and fabrics.
- Keep the contaminated item in a different bag until you get home to wash it if you are unable to treat it right away.
- To prevent cross-contamination, keep your contaminated clothing separate from other outfits at all times. If you cleaned the clothes individually, it would be easier.
- Your tub should be filled with warm water, so soak the impacted clothing in it.
- Put on latex gloves and press the clothing against the fiberglass fragments within the tub to loosen them.
- Once you’ve removed all the shards from your garments, discard the water separately.
How to Remove Fiberglass From Clothes in a Washer
Follow these instructions when using a washing machine to remove fiberglass from your clothing:
- Make sure to put the clothes impacted by the fiberglass in an individual wash, without adding any additional laundry.
- Put all the clothes in the machine.
- Add adequate water and detergent to the washing machine
- Wash the clothes as usual. To be certain that the shards are off your clothing, you can wash it twice.
- You can choose to air dry the garments or use the dryer on the machine to dry them
- Run the machine’s wash and rinse cycle to get rid of any lingering fiberglass that might leave behind
- After handling the exposed clothing, wash your hands thoroughly
What Dissolves Fiberglass Resin?
Here are some of the most effective solutions for dissolving fiberglass.
Alcohol
One way to remove fiberglass is with alcohol. Rubbing alcohol will help to break down the fibers and make them easier to remove. Simply apply the alcohol to a cotton ball or cloth and gently rub it over the affected area. You may need to repeat this process several times before all of the fiberglass is eliminated.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and then gently rub it over the affected area. The vinegar will break down the fiberglass and make it much easier to remove. You may need to repeat the process several times, but eventually all of the fiberglass will be removed. And on top of all, this method is gentle on your skin and won’t cause any irritation.
Acetone
Acetone can be used to dissolve fiberglass. When breaking down fiberglass with acetone, it is imperative to use proper ventilation since acetone is flammable. In addition, it is critical to dispose of the decomposed fiberglass properly since it can be harmful if ingested. To dissolve fiberglass with acetone, simply pour acetone onto the fiberglass and wait for it to disappear. Once the fiberglass has disintegrated, you can dispose of it safely.