How to Make Clothing Flame Retardant

If you're concerned about your children's clothing and want to take extra precautions to ensure that it won't burst into flames, then you need to make your children's clothing flame retardant. The flame retardant formula is frequently given out by fire departments, and can help your children stay safe in the event of fire.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Washer
• Large bucket
• Gallon of water
• 9 ounces of 20 Mule Team Borax
• 4 ounces of boric acid
• Spray bottle

1. Wash clothing and rinse as usual. If the clothing can't be washed, you can still spray the mixture on with a spray bottle.

2. Mix a batch of flame retardant in a large bucket. To one gallon of water, add about nine ounces of 20 Mule Team Borax and 4 ounces of boric acid.

3. Soak the clothing in the solution, or spray it on if the clothes can't be washed in water. Squeeze out the excess liquid and dry as usual.

4. Reapply the flame retardant mixture to the clothing after each washing or cleaning. It comes out in the wash.

Tips & Warnings

• Even though the toxicity of boric acid and 20 Mule Team Borax has been compared to that of aspirin, keep both safely out of the reach of children.

• When disposing of the water, use an environmentally safe technique. Plants do not like the ground after excess boron has been added.