How to Flame Proof Fabric

It is possible to flame proof fabric with a homemade chemical solution.

Flame or fireproofing blankets, fabric and clothes can help protect you in the event of an accidental fire. In ancient times, Egyptians used minerals to flame proof their fabrics and clothes. An Englishman, Obadiah Wyld, created a solution to fire proof fabrics with a mixture of borax, alum and iron sulphate, in the year 1735. Today, many fabric and clothes are fire resistant. For those fabrics, that are not flame proof, you can make a solution at home to ensure they are fire resistant.

Things You'll Need

• 1 gallon hot water
• Measuring cup
• Bucket
• Rubber gloves
• 5 oz. borax
• 5 oz. boric acid
• Large spoon
• Spray bottle (optional)
• 1 pint hot water
• 1 pound alum

Instructions

Borax and Boric Acid Solution

1. Ration out 1 gallon of water and dump it into the bucket. Slip on rubber gloves to protect your hands.

2. Measure out 5 oz. of boric acid and 5 oz. of borax and add them to the water and mix with a large spoon. Check that the borax and boric Acid is completely mixed in.

3. Soak the fabric in the bucket for a few minutes. If you are treating a large piece of fabric or furniture that is too large for the bucket, transfer the solution to a spray bottle and thoroughly spray the solution on the fabric.

4. Pull the fabric from the bucket and hang the fabric in a well-ventilated area or outside on a clothes line. Allow 24 hours to pass before you use the fabric.

Alum Solution

1. Slip on a pair of rubber gloves to prevent injury to your hands. Add 1 pound of alum, an aluminum potassium sulfate compound, to a bucket. Alum is usually located at in the spices section of many grocery stores.

2. Run the faucet until the water reaches the hottest temperature possible. Alum is highly soluble in hot water. Measure out 1 pint of hot water and transfer the water to the bucket with the alum. Adjust the measurements accordingly for larger pieces of fabric, furniture or clothing. There should be 1 pint of water for every pound of alum. For example, if you use 2 pounds of alum, add 2 pints of water.

3. Mix the alum and water together with a large spoon until the alum is completely dissolved. This should take 3 or 4 minutes.

4. Soak the fabric in the bucket for up to 5 minutes and make sure it is completely covered. Pull the fabric from the bucket.

5. Hang up the fabric in a well-ventilated area or outside. Wait for it to dry for about 24 hours before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful while you are handling the hot water, so you do not burn yourself.

• There are also flame resistant products you can purchase at the store.

• Home made fire retardant solutions do make fabrics more fire proof, but not completely fire resistant.

• Fire resistant solutions can lose it's potency after frequent washing and you will need to reapply the solution.

• While you are mixing the chemicals, make sure children are at a safe distance.

References

• Fabrics.Net: Fire Retardants: An Advantageous Solution To Fire Protection
• My Site Du Education: Aluminium
• Protecflam: Fireproof Product Protection Against The Fire