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What to do about comforters?
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Tessy
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Joined: May '12
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 10:12:00
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I have a couple comforters I am concerned about. I don't think my dryer gets got enough and was wondering what others had done with these thick items in the course of bb treatment
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oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 10:25:33
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The dryer will suffice, there is an extremely low risk with comforters, if worried vacuum enforce drying.
David Cain
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cilecto
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 13:54:14
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I would think that with thick items, duration (for heat to penetrate) is more critical than temperature.
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oldtimer
Joined: Apr '07
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 14:06:33
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cilecto - 10 minutes ago »
I would think that with thick items, duration (for heat to penetrate) is more critical than temperature.Only if you were dealing with an issue inside the item that you wanted to heat.
It's one of the great things about field observation, it is often counter intuitive to logic.
David
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Tessy
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Joined: May '12
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 16:32:55
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I will try vacuuming this weekend...very time consuming; what about steaming them also...even MORE time consuming. :-/ I will dry and vacuum. Currently they are sealed in large trash bags sitting in sun outside as I have clean clothes in bags all over my living room. Thank you! Also, will any detergent suffice in the hot water?
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oldtimer
Joined: Nov '11
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 17:29:49
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Dear tessy,
Worry not ! In a recent field project we tested six models of dryers and found the following:
> ALL six models exceeded the thermal mortality threshold. (They all got hotter than 122 degrees F when temperatures were taken after five minutes run time.)
> ALL sufficiently heated an extra large towel above the required threshold temperature after just five minutes. ( A room temperature heavy & extra large towel was placed in each unit and temperature tested after five minutes run time on high heat.)
> If you think your dryer is not hot enough, perhaps you need to do your own "dryer test" as follows:
* Empty your dryer.
* Get a suitable meat or other such thermomoter and have it on hand for the temperature test.
(Oh yes, this reminds me: David, perhaps you need to offer an advanced model of the BBBP with a thermometer option???) OK, sorry to get off topicv there ! : )
* Place a clean, dry, heavy large towel or blanket in your dryer.
* Run the dryer for say ten minutes.
* Remove the towel or blanket from the dryer after ten minutes and use you thermometer to measure the temperature.
* If the temperature is above 122 F then your dryer gets suitably hot.If you're worried about your comforters simply run them in the dryer. Yes, they have more mass than a towel and will require that you run them longer within the dryer to assure that the required temperature is reached/exceed throughout. How long will that take? Hmm, I don't know for sure without testing that myself but, there is no harm in running them in the dryer longer so, keep them in there for at least thirty minutes I suppose.
Assuming your dryer is hot enough, run one comforter at a time and seal them inot a large plastic bag upon removal from the dryer.
Let me know if any questions, hope this helps ! paul b.
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Tessy
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 17:42:05
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Thanks everyone! Fingers crossed...will try that this weekend
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oldtimer
Joined: Nov '11
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Posted 11 months ago
Tue May 29 2012 17:46:39
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OK, good luck ! ! !
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