Sustainable Living Tips: How to Neutralize Thrifting 'Smells'
If you're committed this year to making a more positive impact on the planet, you're going to be faced with many challenges.
We discussed repurposing glass jars the other day.
Today, we're going to review thrifting.
But not how to and where to thrift.
We're going to be talking about something I RARELY hear discussed...
How to DETOX the chemical smells from pre-owned clothes.
Whether you've been thrifting for a long time or are just getting started, this is ONE thing that you'll inevitably have to deal with.
And I'm not talking about just human smells or cigarette remnants.
I'm talking PFAS, the forever chemicals that get built up from those 'scent maracas' people use to mask odor.
If you've worked hard to remove all the toxins from your own laundry, you'll be EXTRA sensitive to these lingering smells.
And rightfully so!
These are the same chemicals used in teflon, water proof clothes, cologne, scented candles, and air fresheners (the very reason the smell sticks around for what seems like forever is because of the PFAS).
PFAS have been linked to everything from cancer to hormone disruption!
And because they accumulate in your body, just like in your clothes, it's important to detox your clothes and your body on a regular basis if you're being exposed.
Sadly, they are found in our water, our soil, and even our air.
So no matter how much we work to remove them from our own life, we still have to actively detox from them. Just maybe not as regularly as those who use them in their daily life.
If you've committed to thrifting for whatever reason, this is an issue you will have to deal with eventually.
Before we move on, you'll want to ask yourself the following questions...
1. Is it worth it?
Only you will know this.
If you're thrifting to save money then yeah, it might be worth it.
If you're thrifting to avoid supporting the Fast Fashion movement then yeah, it will definitely be worth it.
2. Do you have the time to invest?
Again, only YOU will know this.
Some clothes are SO gummed up with these toxins that it may take 3-5 or even 10 washes to get the chemical scents out.
But really...
If the item is made from polyester or rayon or some other artificial fabric, odds are, it's probably sprayed with PFAS as part of the fabric making process anyway.
Items like compression shorts, yoga pants and bathing suits are notorious for being loaded with PFAS.
Which will mean you're only reducing your exposure, not eliminating it all together.
If you're thrifting to save money, this probably won't be much of an issue. A $10 pair of jeans that would normally cost $100 is definitely worth it!
And if you're thrifting to avoid Fast Fashion, this probably won't be an issue either because you're not contributing to a global industry that "...is the second-biggest consumer of water and is responsible for about 10% of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined." [1]
BUT...
If you've committed to avoiding all toxins in your home, your thrifting experience will include MORE than just finding cool clothes and great deals.
You'll be reading labels and checking fabric labels for hidden toxins, avoiding any and all fabric that is synthetic.
If you've found THE item and are ready to remove the smell, I've found there are only about 3 things that really work...
-Wash as many times as it takes to remove the PFAS smells with your regular natural detergent.
-Try white vinegar in every load to speed up the process: adding 1 cup of vinegar per load.
It works well to help soften clothes naturally. I always add vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser in every load so I can avoid commercial fabric softeners.
Vinegar has also been shown to help break down detergent residue that traps and causes odor.
-Or soak overnight in baking soda water and see what shakes: Soaking clothes overnight in just enough water to cover the clothes and a full box of baking soda mixed into the water can also help. This is also a great tool for removing the 'new clothes smell' that comes from formaldehyde.
Naturally, I would suggest either vinegar or baking soda to speed up the process.
However, because we are dealing with 'forever chemicals' it's hard to really say how many washings it will take for either vinegar or baking soda to do the trick.
Full disclaimer, these methods can be damaging to some fabrics so it's best to know what you're working with before going all in.
Thrifting can be a great way of supporting you sustainablity journey but it's not always as convenient as buying fresh from a new rack.
I hope these tips help you make the most of your committment!
PS: If you've been exposed to PFAS and would like to begin detoxing, there are few things you'll want to do asap...
1. Increase your sweat sessions by way of sauna, cardio, or even just jumping on the trampoline. This helps the body release toxins through the blood, breath, and the skin.
2. Increase your intake of "probiotic cultures to bind to and/or even degrade various toxic substances, mitigating their toxicity." [2] This isn't just about taking ONE strain of probiotic but about taking a multi-strain formula like Juna or Adaptive Greens.
3. Research also suggest that "...dietary fiber increases the gastrointestinal excretion of PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA in humans." [3] Boosting your intake of foods that include all the colors of the rainbow will help with this.
4. Hydration is KEY. It helps to move the lymph fluid which pulls toxins out from the blood and supports proper elimination.
5. Supplements like chlorella and spirulina can act as chelators, binding to toxic substances and removing them from the body. I take our Adaptive Greens formula for this every morning.
In the end, it's a combination of HOW we live our life, HOW we treat our body, and WHAT we expose ourselves to that will help us stay healthy and happy.
Choose wisely.
References:
1. https://earth.org/fast-
2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/