No, Chemical Clothing is not as you might imagine a neat white overall to protect workers. Well it could be of course unless it is made of man made fibers.

Fortunately most folk can enjoy choosing nice new clothes to buy to make them feel good and cheer themselves up. There is nothing like a bit of retail therapy to lift the soul.
Not too many of us are forced to study the label carefully to make sure the item is made of pure cotton, pure silk or pure wool. I do. That is because before my M.C.S. was finally diagnosed in 2004 I developed the added problem of 'reacting'to my own clothing. Life was difficult enough at that time needing an oxygen cylinder beside me at all times, without finding that even my clothing was causing breathing difficulties. (Allergy Induced Asthma was later diagnosed after testing.)
Yes of course one can have reactions to whatever agent was used to wash those clothes but my reactions transpired to be from the man made fiber element of the fabrics. I expect we are all aware that man made fabrics are made from chemicals but that is rarely in the thoughts of those staring dreamily into shop windows. Or planning that outfit for a wedding.
Men are not excluded don't forget.
It would be so wrong to have a fit' and jump up on the band waggon immediately or convince yourself that if you too have M.C.S. then your own clothing must be
affecting you.
On the other hand if you are not already aware of the rare possible problem then perhaps you might feel it is something worth keeping an eye out for.
The only snag is that if you have been using one of the more commonly used washing powders it would take several washes with one reccommended for M.C.S. sufferers to get the old smell out. (In my own experience even five washings is not always enough.)

However back to the chemical content of man made fibers. This can 'off gas' sometimes for the whole lifetime of the fabric. You might not smell it but if you are very chemically sensitive and if the garment is especially just under your nose like a shirt, Jacket blouse or scarf. then you could be breathing in the off gassing of those chemicals.

Polyester is my worst enemy and my poem \"The Polyester Freak\" tells of buying a real silk scarf and it immediately having a very serious adverse effect on me. Though it was clearly labelled Pure Silk my nose told me it was made from Polyester. I reported it to our local Trading Standards Officer who took up the case bought another scarf from the same shop and had it tested. The Officer wondered if I'd like to be employed as a 'sniffer dog' when the results came back just as I had predicted. Poyester of course.

Buying pure cotton ought to be safe but if the label then tells you it is easy iron you will no doubt find that the 'treatment' to give such a nice smooth finish is done with, (No prize for guessing,)
CHEMICALS.
I once bought some very expensive sheets and washed them first with my own non perfumed washing powder and slid delightedly down into those lovely new cool sheets. My delight lasted a whole minute or so before I was coughing and wheezing etc. etc. I can assure you I leaped out quicker than I got in. I gave the sheets away, and learned another lesson.
One way to wonder if the chemical content of fabrics might be affecting you is if you notice that if when you sre doing the ironing some of your symptoms start up or become worse than usual it might be worth wearing a chemical filter mask the next time and compare the results. The same applies if you dry things on radiators. Do not ever forget that some of your reactions might be coming from the very washing powders you are using, (and these are very dirty words to me) fabric conditioners.
When sitting down at home in the evenings or driving the car, (I.E. when you nose is closer to that nice blouse or shirt or coat,) is the most likely time for you to take a mental note. At one time every problem whilst driving my car was laid at the door of incoming fumes. Nine times out of ten that was indeed the case but I have had some very nasty times from the dreaded M.M.F.'s.
Please don't presume you are reacting to that, please don't try hard to tie up your symptome with that but please don't ignore it as a possibility.

I have to use old fashioned Wincyette/ Flannelette sheets on my bed. (Meybe Grandmother really did know best eh?). Poly/cotton is no good for me.
Just add ester to that ply bit and Ugh!
As far as I am concerned Man Made Fibers are the \"Silent Invaders\"

Ena

Hi Ena

I've only had MCS for 6 months, but discovered what I had by googling my symptoms. I managed to eliminate my working environment,toiletries and cleaning products that gave me problems quite early on. Of cause by reducing my symptoms from these things I became aware of the natural gas when I was cooking, then the exhaust fumes and petrol.

I have become sensitive to clothing too, and have spent most of the summer in loose cotton dresses, and can't remember the last time I wore trousers. Underwear is the worst.

I first became aware of this when I had quite a scare with bedding. I washed it twice before I used it anyway because it had been wrapped in plastic. Got into bed without a care in the world, and work up 4 hours later with a massive headache, coughing, wheezing, and muscle weakness so bad I couldn't get out of bed unaided. I also had a head to foot red spotty rash. Needless to say I went back to my old bedding.

I have to do the ironing in a mask, and wear a personal air purifier most of the time now, especially in the car.

After reading your post. It occurred to me that ' Off gassing' from clothing and fabrics in the house may be why I get symptoms with the radiators on. Perhaps they are more volatile. Unfortunately with 5 of us in the house this is going to be yet another costly business.

I can't go into shops at all, so if anyone can recommend websites for affordable natural clothing, underwear and bedding that would be really helpful.

Hi, this is Ena replying to your message.
You did not say what material that awful bedding was made of nor what washing powder you use. Any amount of man made fibre in the fabric could have affected you (even poly cotton). I use 'Surcare' washing powder and washing up liquid, available in most large supermarkets.
The label says for sensitive skins but it seems the 'non perfumed' aspect of it is what suits me and any other M.C.S. sufferers to whom I have spoken.
If you use radiators to actually dry your washing on then that just increases the problem by wafting it up to your nose. The outgassing can also come from carpets and curtains. When I was really ill at the begginning, I could not even tolerate a newspaper in the room and magazines (that shiny cover) was out of the question.
Being in fashion is not a luxury to be afforded by the 'chemically sensitive' so tuck away any pride and the next time anyone asks what you'd like as a gift, chose a nice candlewick bedspread. Lovely good old fashioned cotton cotton cotton. I cannot tolerate feathers so duvets are a no no for me. I would not insult your intellegence by asking if you use a duvet filled with fibre. No you wouldn't, would you?
Many of us have to watch the pennies so if you are not too proud then quite a number of charity shops have a selection of candlewick bedspreads. I lost my pride when I lost my health. You only need it for your own bed.
Always remember the more things you are able to avoid the more your immune system will thank and reward you gradually. If you have read my article An Allergic's Struggle' you may have noticed something I will repeat here. I maintain that anyone not yet prepared to take every possible step to avoid anything which could be involved in increasing their problem, is just not sick enough yet.

I have found that wyncyette/flannelette bedding is often actually cheaper than the posh stuff. so nice and cosy to get into in the winter too. You see It is not all doom and gloom. If ther is any way or any other advice you feel I could offer then you just have to ask. Good luck.

Hi Ena,

I believe the bedding, which was linen must have been treated with something, probably formaldehyde based.But my old stuff is fine for the time being. I changed to washing tablets called Simply Sensitive Eco Smart almost straight away because my usual ones made me itchy, and I use Ecover washing up liquid. Surcare washing up liquid has formaldehyde in it.

I think its just a case of being aware, when purchasing 'new' things now. Old faithfuls have had everything washed out of them prior to me getting ill, so this is only an issue when I need replacements.

As for drying things on radiators, I've never done that.
I've just got to gradually replace all my carpets and curtains, furniture etc

I'm still getting to grips with what I've got Ena, but I have my small pleasures like Blackberry picking and making jam.
But I certainly know who to ask if I need help thankyou

Hi Helen, Nice to hear back from you. Replacing carpets is a very serious and expensive move. If the ones you have already have a fairly high content of wool I.E. 80/20, then perhaps any alternative would need very serious consideration. If they are 100% man made fibre then you should certainly consider dumping them. However as you seem to be eliminating as many scources as possible you may even hopefully start to feel better soon. The older those carpets are,will be in their favour.
The trouble with alternatives is even new 100% wool carpets usually have a dirt repellant treatment on them. (Our old friend, chemicals) Most new carpets do have. That takes the serious consideration!

Laminates are ultimately safer but are still not real wood. However real wood usually requires polishing, and that is a definite no no.
I do have laminates in my bedrooms (but I am much better nowadays), but you would have to take the adhesives (often used in fitting them) into account. I was lucky to have been able to have my own bungalow built 4 years ago and have tiles mostly.
Bit like a spanish villa!! Tiles as alternative are no cheaper than carpet but there is quite a good selection nowadays and the wonderful benefit is how easy they are to keep clean. I would always choose them again. Quick swish over with a dry mop and hey presto housework done and dusted. I try to give them a damp mop over about once a year whether they need it or not!!! Housework will always be there long after you and I have gone. Polishing went out of my window 12 years ago and I have never noticed any difference. All that elbow grease I wasted!
Stick at it. Believe me the end product is well worth it. Ena.

Hi Ena and Helen

I've had MCS for almost a year now but it has got a lot more severe in the past couple of months. I'm still trying to make a safe room in my parents house. I'm having a lot of trouble finding chemicl free bedding. I spent a lot of time finding out about standards for organic standards and researching different online companies. I finally ordered blankets, sheets, pillows and pillowcses from two different online companies after they assured me that the products were 100% organic cotton and contained no chemicals whatsoeve. Turns out they must have been chemically treated because I couldn't even stay in the same room for long with them, lot alone sleep on them. I reckon that the cotton was probably 100% certified organic cotton like they said, but that the finished product wasn't certified and had a chemical finish. I wouldn't have reacted so strongly to a completely natural product. I tried washing a couple of sheets and a blenket a few times but stil couldn't tolerate it so I sent the rest back. Now I have to get sme more but I don't know where from! Have you found a place that sells completely chemical free bedding???

By the way, re. washing powder, I use Dr. Bronner's organic castile unscented baby- milld soap for almost everything! For washing clothes, I use it mixed with a little baking soda, I find it works better that way. I also use it as a shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, facewash and for household cleaning! If only I had discovered it before I went back-pcking last year. It would have left the rucksack a lot lighter!!