Febreze Laundry Odor Eliminator

I been investigating the commercial product "Febreze" which is said
to remove odors and staleness in fabrics--and to be "safe for all
fabrics".

    1.  The product is primarily water with 1-5% ethanol according
        to its Material Safety Data Sheet. While this may be 'safe'
        for all fabrics, dyes or finishes (including sizes) are not
        necessarily impervious to the ethanol and water. Repairs in
        tapestries, 19th-early 20th century dyes, may be induced to
        bleed; some fabrics may shrinkage, expand, or distort.

    2.  The product most probably contains cyclodextrins which are
        spherical molecules with a hydrophilic exterior and
        hydrophobic interior. Perfume oils, esters and other odors
        [a chemical capable of detection by your nose] may be
        arrested and held by the hydrophobic center. The filled
        cyclodextrin will wash out (being soluble due to its
        hydrophilic exterior).

    3.  Product directions instruct the user to spray the textile
        *until it is damp*. This spraying will add a surprising
        amount of weight to a fabric.

Conclusion: Using this product may alter the shape and dimensions of
the textile. It may cause a headache (alcohol induced hangover)for
the person spraying except in a well ventilated area. It may cause
dye bleeding. The textile should be flat and if sprayed to reduce
the possibility of strain (i.e. distortion  or elongation). The
textile will need to be wetcleaned eventually to remove the
residual.


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:58
                   Distributed: Monday, March 8, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-17-58-003
                                  ***