Iron on Adhesive Safety

[Former_Member]

Does anyone know if iron-on adhesives are safe for children's products? I'm specifically wondering if it's ok to iron on fabric shapes to blankets, bibs, etc.

[Former_Member]

I have heard of some doing it..does not sound like its bad..as long as all info is on it...;)

[SewFunDollClothes]

Good question, I'd like to know too!

[Former_Member]

I wondered the very same thing, and couldn't find anything about it anywhere on CPSC's pages. I sent an email to the Compliance Dept asking about fusible interfacing and stabilizer. I am assuming both will be exempt along with thread and trim, but one cannot be too careful!! If I get a response, I'll post it. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks so much!

[FRANCISBEL]

Is ok use that but what I read the iron-on are no good for item how need many machine washed because after many time can be peel and baby items need to be wash everyday .....

[Former_Member]

Just remember about phthalates, there is no raw material exempt from phthalate testing list. Even if the iron-on transfers are exempt from the lead testing there are still certain product categories that you need to know the phthalate level is below 100ppm. So make sure the GCCs & COCs that you get from the iron-on image company contains all the information that the CPSIA may want.

[Former_Member]

I found this on glues and adhesives at

http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leaddeterminationsfinalrule-draft.pdf

Look to page 19 (section 5.)

It looks like it would be okay so long as it wasn't to be exposed??

[Former_Member]

Thanks for doing the research

[Former_Member]

So, could the tags we now use to be CPSIA compliant themselves be noncompliant? Oh, the irony.

[Former_Member]

sewing around the edges of whatever you plan to iron on would make the edges inaccessable and therefore make the item compliant

[Former_Member]

I too had this question and called the manufacturer of the products I was using and got the answers from them to know that my products were safe and no harmful chemicals ect for babys

[Former_Member]

That's probably a good idea to call, thanks.

[Former_Member]

If you used iron on transfers, you would have to notify the customer to please turn the item inside out when they wash it. Otherwise, the iron on transfer will fade.

[Former_Member]

I am glad for the information as well. I am in the process of deconstructing vintage pullover sweaters into girlie cardigans and am thinking of buying the iron on adhesive for the rough edges.

[Former_Member]

I have so far been using Heat N Bond lite by the Thermoweb company. I found the following information on their site regarding their vinyl product:
http://www.thermowebonline.com/contact_us.php
I didn't find anything yet about their iron-on adhesive, so I have emailed them.

[Former_Member]

I agree with Francis... they're no good for clothes that need to be washed frequently and should really be limited to things like sweatshirts and tote bags that get washed less often. Iron-on's deteriorate very quickly in the washer and dryer.

[Former_Member]

I think it might depend on the brand of the iron on. I keep testing/washing and drying my tags. after two months of tests my labels with iron-ons are holding up very well.

but I have seen some iron ons on shirts that just didn't last very long at all. make sure you buy quality if you're going to use transfers.

[Former_Member]

Marking.

[Former_Member]

I contacted Therm O Web and they say that their Heat N Bond Lite product is safe for children. It contains no lead or bpa. I have used this product to hold shapes in place, but sew them on in addition. I expect they will hold up with the edges sewn.

[SewFunDollClothes]

Thanks for the info NimbuRu!!

[saritastardesigns]

I contacted the makers of Steam A Seam since that is what I use for all of my appliqués. I was told that there was no lead or phthalates and that it was basically the equivalent of elmers glue.

I think calling the actual company you use and asking is the best way to go.

[Former_Member]

NimbuRu
"I have used this product to hold shapes in place, but sew them on in addition. I expect they will hold up with the edges sewn."

I was going to recommend that, but it seems you've already thought of it! I've seen babies teething so hard they can pull up anything off if it isn't sewn on!

[Former_Member]

jocole says:
sewing around the edges of whatever you plan to iron on would make the edges inaccessable and therefore make the item compliant
........

I think this is correct. As long as both materials are exempt and the glue is inaccessible it would be exempt from testing. Otherwise, even if the iron-on company says it's lead & phthalate-free, you still have to test the final product. (The good news is it would pass, but you still have to do it.) Sadly, not all iron-ons pass the lead test. (I don't know about the glue, the problem is with the ink.)

[fairiewings]

marking