How to Make Fire Retardant Spray

Protect your fabric and surfaces from catching on fire

Manufacturers commonly spread fire retardant solutions on upholstered products. Anything in your home covered in fabric was probably completely fire retardant when you bought it new, but its effectiveness has likely worn with time. Fire or flame retardant products can be used on almost any material -- painted wood (acrylic or latex), paper, fabric, etc. Make your home safer by making your own fire retardant spray, made up of natural ingredients, for surfaces, furnishings and fabrics in your home.

Things You'll Need

• 7 oz Borax
• 3 oz Boric acid
• 2 qt Hot water
• 1 Spray bottle
• 1 Funnel

Instructions

1. Remove spray nozzle from spray bottle. Place funnel on opening of spray bottle.

2. Pour 7 oz. of Borax, 3 oz. of boric acid and 2 quarts hot water into funnel..

3. Put nozzle back on spray bottle. Test fire retardant solution by spraying a small surface or fabric and taking a match or lighter to it. Re-apply the solution as needed until safety test is successful.

Tips & Warnings

• Children's pajamas are no longer required by law to be treated with fire retardant chemicals, in an effort to avoid exposing children to potentially hazardous chemicals for long periods of time. Consider instead putting your child to bed in an organic wool PJ, since wool is a naturally fire resistant material, or dressing him in snug-fitting pajamas less likely to catch fire.

• Remember that if something is already on fire, a fire retardant spray will not be able to put the fire out. Fire retardant sprays will, however, keep the surrounding areas around a fire from catching on fire when applied properly.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Green alternatives to fire retardants