Teflon Fabric Protector Ingredients

Properties of Teflon Fabric Protector

• Teflon fabric protector is made from the artificial chemical polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which was accidentally discovered by DuPont in 1938 and has since become a top seller in cookware and fabric protection. Teflon is unique in that it does not chemically bond to anything, which is why applications of the compound onto cookware require special sandblasting and adhesion techniques to fuse the chemical with the product. In textiles, this resistance to any other compound is what causes the Teflon fabric protector to repel all types of liquid and dirt, allowing for easy cleanup and high stain resistance.

Ingredients

• Teflon fabric protector contains mostly polytetrafluoroethylene resin particles suspended in water and a smaller amount of a wetting agent and stabilizer, according to DuPont. Both the water and the wetting agent are removed during the fabric finishing process, says the company.

Application

• To apply Teflon products to fabrics, DuPont dips their fabrics several times through a mixture of PTFE, water, and wetting solution. Multiple dips allow for an increase in buildup and thickness on the fabric and promote an even coating across the surface. The fabric is then allowed to dry so that all water is evaporated. Next, the fabric is "baked" or heated so that the wetting compound is cooked off, leaving a coating of Teflon.

Are These Fabric Protectors Dangerous?

• Several studies have shown a connection between harmful side effects and Teflon coating on nonstick cookware, which can release toxic chemical compounds when the Teflon is overheated and begins to chemically decompose. There is no evidence, however, that fabric protecting spray has any daily harmful effects. According to Carpetguru.com, "The fluorinated polymers used in all stain-resistant carpet are applied at low concentrations and are not easily absorbed through the skin. The U.S. EPA believes, as part of its PFOA [perfluorooctanoic acid] investigation, that there is no reason for consumers to stop using carpet or any other textile treated with Teflon or similar products." In other words, your Teflon-protected fabrics pose no harm unless they are ignited, as Teflon begins to break down at 500 degrees Fahrenheit.