Posted by Librarian on 6/24/2002, 7:00 am
Message modified by board administrator 4/8/2003, 9:04 am

It makes logical sense that if one is finding textile fibers in the skin, that perhaps clothing is a source of reinfection. Many have stated that they feel their clothes are reinfecting them. Some helpful laundry tips will be placed here. Borax, baking soda and vinegar are all known to be detoxifying laundry additives. Many parasites and their eggs can be eradicated and sent to an early grave with iodine. Iodine will not stain natural fabrics in the laundry cycle. Boric acid is an insecticide, fungicide, and bacteriostatic chemical. Marie at NUSPA claimed success by adding 1-2 cups of boric acid to a 48 load box of Tide, and using the normal amount of detergent with each laundry load. Potassium, in its many forms, is a known insecticide. Soft soaps, such as bronners, have been historically made with potassium hydroxide; newer soft soaps are often made instead with detergents. Potassium iodine, although caustic if not diluted, seems to be a particularly effective solution in the laundry. Theoretically, it would destroy all eggs and stages of worms and insects as well as many types of fungus and bacteria. Rinsability is important since whatever chemical or parasite doesn't rinse out of fabric will be affecting imperfect skin. Several additives make rinsing better: boric acid, vinegar, ammonia, trisodium phosphate, and sodium hexametamosphate. Adding one of these to the first rinse and rinsing them out with a second rinse seems like it might help. Many believe that steam ironing clothing is beneficial.