Sometimes, even without our knowledge, fiberglass particles can get stuck in your clothes and be harmful to you and the people around you.
Removing it may be tricky since brushing it will direct it to another surface, here are some of the ways on how to remove fiberglass from clothes.
What is Fiberglass?
Before we move on to the process of removing fiberglass from your clothes, you should know what fiberglass is first. Knowing what type of material fiberglass will help you know what you’re going against and the easiest ways to get rid of it.
Fiberglass is a fiber-reinforced plastic that is made from glass fiber. It’s a fantastic material that can be molded into any shape or size that you prefer for various applications and uses.
There are a lot of forms and types of fiberglass, such as A-glass, C-glass, E-glass, Fiberglass tape, and Fiberglass cloth.
This material is mainly used as insulation for houses. However, they are used in various industries, such as Manufacturing, Food processing, Automotive, and Power generation.
One of the reasons it’s most commonly used for these industries is its mechanical strength and dimensional stability. It’s stronger than steel and does not quickly rot, making it one of the best material choices.
If you are interested in knowing more about fiberglass, read this article for more information. You can also check this video to find out more about its uses.
How does Fiberglass get into clothes?
One of the most common ways to get fiberglass particles stuck onto your clothes is by working with materials such as insulation panels and fiberglass sheets. The annoying thing here is fiberglass particles can be so small that you won’t identify them immediately.
Generally, fiberglass is thin and hard to see, but they are usually pink, white, or light yellow. Since it is very light, brushing it off will only transfer it to another thing because it is airborne. They also have jarred edges, making them stick easier and harder to any type of cloth.
One way to determine if your clothes have fiberglass particles is to run your hands on them and take note of a sharp or prickly texture.
You may also notice it pricking onto your skin and making you uncomfortable. If that’s the case, change your clothes immediately because areas touched by fiberglass may be rash and feel painful for days.
It is good that fiberglass shards can be washed out from clothes. Just make sure that you act on it as soon as possible so that it will be easier to remove.
Also, please do not mix them with other clothes since there is a tendency for the fiberglass shards to transfer to other fabrics. If you’re ready, we’ll go straight into how to get fiberglass out of clothes.
Removing Fiberglass from clothes by Brushing
For those who are used to working with fiberglass, you need to wear the proper clothes since fiberglass irritates the skin. Make sure to wear long-sleeved tops and use gloves on your hands. This will minimize your skin’s chances to contact fiberglass particles.
At all times, you should prioritize yourself and your health. With that said, the first thing to do is to clean yourself to make sure there are no fiberglass shards, even in your hair.
If you work a lot with fiberglass, you may also want to apply petroleum jelly on your skin to protect you from any material. Take an ice shower and make sure to cover all parts of your body.
When removing your clothes with fiberglass particles, make sure to do it in an open area where it won’t just fly off to other fabrics. Separate them from other clothes to prevent the spread of fiberglass particles.
You can opt to put them in plastic or separate them from other clothes. To start, here’s a list of some of the things you’ll need in this removal process.
What you will need
- Soft brush
- Warm water
- Latex gloves
- Basin
The Process
Removing fiberglass by brushing is a straightforward process that takes minimum effort and time. You can start by getting the clothes out of the plastic you initially kept and bringing them to an open area.
Gently remove the fiberglass pieces from your clothes with a soft, dry brush. Make sure that this step is done in an open area.
To double-check that the clothing doesn’t have any fiberglass particles anymore, continue doing this next step.
- Pour three cups of warm water into a basin and place your clothes in it.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Wear latex gloves to protect your hands and carefully rub the clothes to loosen all fiberglass pieces on your clothes.
Once you’re done, remove the clothes and immediately throw away the used water. Lastly, wash the clothes as you usually do.
Removing Fiberglass from Clothes by using a Washing Machine
If you want something that’s generally easier to do with even less hassle, you may want to try removing fiberglass particles from your clothes by letting them run in a washing machine.
This process takes lesser things to use and in a time-efficient manner. You can rest assured that your clothes will be fiberglass-free by the end of this.
Just like the process before, you should always be cautious of your surroundings and take off your clothes in an open area where the fiberglass won’t transfer to other materials.
At your workplace, immediately put the clothes in a plastic bag to contain the fiberglass particles. Once you get home, toss it into your empty washing machine. On the other hand, you can put it straight inside an empty washing machine if you are at home.
What you will need
- Coldwater
- Laundry detergent
The Process
Since we will pick up from where we left off, the first step in this removal process is to put an adequate amount of water and laundry detergent into the machine.
It is recommended to use a tablespoon of laundry detergent for every four cups of water. You may also check the care label of your clothes to make sure that it doesn’t get damaged.
Make sure that your clothes are the only ones inside the machine. If there are other clothes inside, the chances are that the fiberglass will only transfer to other fabrics. Run your clothes like you regularly do. You can also do double or triple washes to ensure that it’s fiberglass-free.
Another way to make sure that the fiberglass is removed from the clothes, turn on the wash and rinse the cycle of your washing machine for better cleaning.
Once you’re done washing the clothes, it’s now time to let them dry on a dryer or out under the sun. Also, wash your hands once the machine removes any fiberglass particles to make sure there’s none left on your hands.
Most Commonly Asked Questions
Generally, there are a lot of questions asked by people about fiberglass and clothes, but here are some that are most frequently asked.
Can Fiberglass dissolve
Fiberglass left in your clothes for quite some time can be hard to remove because of the plastic resin component that sticks more into solids. Lucky for you, hard-to-remove fiberglass can be removed from clothes by dissolving. Here are some of the materials that can dissolve fiberglass.
Alcohol
Alcohol, specifical ethanol, is an excellent chemical that can be used in dissolving fiberglass. However, it would be best if you made sure that the fiberglass product is made up of polyester resin for this to work.
Another thing you need to make sure that you should be using pure ethanol since other products mixed with other chemicals may not work as well.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Another way to dissolve fiberglass particles is by using Apple cider vinegar. It works excellent to dissolve fiberglass, and it won’t damage your clothes like other harmful chemicals.
You can also use it for washing your skin if it gets in contact with fiberglass particles. Although the vinegar smell may linger on your body, you can wash it off with cold water.
Do Fiberglass particles come out on their own?
Fiberglass particles may come out on their own, but it takes time. It will be impossible to wait for clothes since every minute, the fiberglass sticks more and more. It’s better to work on it immediately. Fiberglass particles on the skin may come out independently, but they will undoubtedly leave a rash.
What is Fiberglass resistant clothing?
Working with fiberglass, you will undoubtedly come in contact with its shards more regularly. That’s why you need to wear Fiberglass resistant clothing. There isn’t a specific uniform for this, but there are some recommendations on what you should wear.
Generally, you need to wear clothing that will cover your body, mostly like long sleeves, loose pants, and gloves. Fiberglass can also get in your hair, so it’s better to wear a hat.
Summary
With the knowledge of how to remove fiberglass from clothes, working with this material has never been more effortless and carefree. Make sure to follow all of the steps and use the indicated amount of materials in each process to ensure the success of the fiberglass removal.
Jessica Oliver is a fashion enthusiast with more than ten years of experience in the industry. She previously managed her own clothing store in New York before becoming a mother of three. With a passion for sustainability and a desire to share clothing care and recycling tips.