yet another Yuck Factor...

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:04 pm

Pillow talk, and not the good kind…

In the past couple of weeks, I have had weird stains on my pillow in the morning, dark gray/black and yellowish, and difficult to clean too… Yuck.

The weird thing is that the stains are in the shape of straight lines (king of fuzzy/diffuse, but noticeably “line-like”, 1” long, ¼” wide), and vertical (aligned with my head, that is). Does not look like the random splash of drool to me… Beside, my ears are clean, my mask is clean, my nose is clean, no weird black drool around my mouth, no black stain anywhere but on my pillow… No ear or sinus aches (other than the ordinary allergy sinus headache once in a while, nothing unusual…).

I am puzzled and annoyed…I feel like having to sleep hooked to a hose should be enough drama without having to look at/explain weird pillow stains…! Of course, I am also concerned with my health and should really have looked into this before (have not scheduled a doctor appointment yet. Meeting with the sleep doctor on Monday but not hopeful he will be of help…)

Note: using optilife, medium, CPAP at 10 cm pressure, humidifier filled with water but not on (can’t remember the term), hose covered with fleece…

Comments, suggestions, explanations? All welcome, thanks!

Xian

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:11 pm

Could it be discoloration from your mask straps?

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:30 pm

Linda may have something there. I haven't noticed it with Optilife (yet) but both my Swift and Activa straps bled color each time they were the least bit damp. A soaking and wringing out session cured both. I hope Linda is right and its an easy fix.

Chris

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, swift

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 3:38 pm

That sounds like a good possibility and an easy fix, thanks! Come to think of it, this problem may have started as the temperature went up in the Chicago area. I can't remember waking up sweaty (I merely glisten, afterall!), but I may have during the night...
Thanks again.
Xian

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:49 pm

You may want to give it a good swish in some warm soapy water to try to get any excess dye to come out. If the water turns blackish, you know you have your culprit.

Hope you solve your mystery. Jen

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 4:56 pm

Xian, it sounds like both your fleece tube cover and your headgear are "crocking" dye off on your pillow.

This is generally known to the non-costume geeks as "rubbing dye off"on stuff. Like brand new dark blue jeans. Remember the time you wore a pair of brand new jeans without washing them first? And got blue thighs and blue underwear by the end of the day? This is why your mamma always told you to wash new clothes before wearing them.

Take both headgear and tube cover(s) and wash in sudsy water - probably a hand wash in the bathroom sink. Use dish soap, whatever you wash your masks in, or laundry soap. Doesn't matter. Rinse. Now fill sink with warm water, add hefty splash of white vinegar, and soak all in there for an hour or so. Feel free to forget about it overnight or all day. The vinegar will "set" the dye to keep it from bleeding and rubbing off.

Rinse thoroughly.

If the vinegar smell bothers you, re-suds and rinse.

Air dry.

This should take care of the "bleeding" or "crocking" or "rubbing off" of dyes.

As for getting the stains off your pillow cases, wash them in RIT brand dye remover. You can usually find this at craft and fabric stores in the same aisle with the RIT dyes. Wash the items alone in your washer, per the package directions.

Good luck!!!!

Cheers,
Barbara

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 5:46 pm

Babette wrote:

hefty splash of white vinegar

No toe-stepping on here, just my humble opinion.

I only bring this up because of the discomfort the vinegar smell could cause to someone trying to sleep:

It is unlikely that vinegar will help in this case. I am an experienced dyer of wool (yarn and fabric) and cotton (tie-dye) and I can tell you from experience that since the fabric used in headgear is synthetic, the vinegar will likely have no effect. It only works on wools dyed with acid dyes (in combination with heat, actually).

The dyes used in commercial settings to dye synthetics have a completely different set of rules and acid-dye rules will not apply here. This is a very common misconception about dyes, especially if you work with wools at all, which I am certain you do being a dyed-in-the-wool reinactor!

Your best bet is a good soak and swish in some warm sudsy water.

I think leaving it to soak for a good long time, like Babette mentioned, perhaps periodically refreshing the water until it runs completely clear, should do the trick.

JMHO, Jen

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 6:01 pm

OOOO! Thanks for that, Jen! I had no idea that vinegar wasn't the universal cure-all for crocking!

I wonder if a commercial mordant (dye setter) might be applicable? Or do you think that soaking is enough? What about a salt soak? I hear that touted by fabric dyers, too.

Cheers,
B.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 7:20 pm

I doubt it would be easy to locate the right mordant and if so it would likely be something you wouldn't want in your home. Dyeing synthetics is serious chemistry.

Salt is a leveler, not a mordant (although you will find many folks who insist it is.) A leveler actually slows down dye uptake so that the fabric will take it up more evenly. This is what you do when you want a nice even color. If you want irregularities (like for tie-dye or hand-dyed wool fabric for traditional rug hooking), then salt is unnecessary. So, salt won't help either.

The problem is probably just some excess dye that wasn't absorbed by the fabric and is just sitting on the surface and dissolving with persperation. I'm guessing it will likely wash right out of the pillow, as the pillow fabric is likely cotton, but I could be wrong.

If it is dissolving in perspiration, it should dissolve in warm sudsy water and lots and lots of rinsing until the water runs clear.

Should be a one time thing. One of my headgear actually said to wash before wearing because this could happen. I didn't. Didn't seem important at the moment.

Just be glad the color didn't pigment your skin--it could happen!

Jen

Xian · Post by **Xian** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:01 pm

Wow, I am learning so much about fabric dyeing! As a physical chemist and a designer (yep, probably multiple personality syndrome!), I totally enjoyed the discussion. Thanks! (And I can't help but to think that "mordant" is from the French "biting".. takes me back home...)

Anyhow, for an update, washing by hand, twice, did not do the trick completely. I still had marks on the pillow, if more faint. So I went a step further: Just got a new washer/dryer, the LG steam washer (love it!), and I threw the headband in a cotton bag (an old sheet set bag) and did a delicate cycle (no steam!). I then air dried on the dryer tray and voila, no stain anymore!

Now I need to clean the pillow cases. Regular cleaning, twice, with steam and "grandma recipe" stain remover did not work completely (still stain "shadows"). I did not dry in the dryer to not set the stains (if the steam didn't...), so I'll try the RIT dye remover next... Gosh my life is exciting!!!

Thanks again, I am so glad it wasn't an nasty sinus (or other) infection.

Xian

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:13 am

Xian wrote:

Thanks again, I am so glad it wasn't an nasty sinus (or other) infection.

Whoah, no kidding, that would be some nasty infection on the order of another sentient life form living in there!

I'm glad some thorough washing did the trick for you.

An oxy clean like product might get the stains out of the pillow too. Sometimes it can oxidize unwanted faint dye stains. I have no experience with the rit dye remover--I just hope it doesn't remove color from your pillowcase if it is a colored fabric (mine are all diff colors here, we don't use white). If it is white, I would try bleach.

Xian, what kind of designer are you? My husband is an analytical chemist and I have a ba in biology and I too am very creative. Always vascilating between analytical and creative modes. I have often thought of a career in design--knitwear design at the top of the list. but landscape architecture was actually pursued for a while when I was younger. I may revisit that now that I have more energy.

Jen

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:19 am

Just to advocate for fabric - try to avoid bleach. Even when it's well rinsed, it has a residual detrioriating effect on fibers. I just pulled out a petticoat I hadn't worn in a few years from the closet. I routinely bleached it as part of it's wash process. It SHREDDED in my hands. And it was my favorite pretty lace covered petticoat....

No, it wasn't an "antique", just a well-worn repro. But it definitely suffered from years of bleaching.

Biz is a great product and much overlooked in today's Oxy obsessed world. Often works BETTER than Oxy. I use Oxy alot, but I'm learning from fiber freaks online that Biz often works BETTER and is GENTLER to fibers.

So, that's my two cents to the discussion.

Xian, I can't stand it. I must know. Are you male or female? I've been chatting with you for weeks and I don't know!

BTW - Rit Dye Remover is not a "bleach" per se. It's designed specifically as a laundry aid to remove dye that has "bled" onto clothing. I'm not sure of the chemical involved. You scientists will have to clue me in there.

LOL,
B.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:09 pm

Babette,

Thanks! I will have to try biz. I have found that with too much use on a stubborn stain the oxy products can also weaken fabric and ultimately leave a hole where there used to be a stain (maybe a few washes later).

And you are soooooo right about bleach. Our water is hard so I do use it occasionally to keep things from going grey, but it definitly shortens the life of my hubbies tighty-whities and all of our socks!

I don't know that I have every tried biz. It is worth a try. Laundry is such a chore, and there is always so much to do. I hate it when a favorite item gets ruined or stained in some way. My husband has a bad habit of leaving pens in his pockets and i have a bad habit of forgetting to look for them (though I shouldn't have to!). I made him slave over an ink-stained load just this weekend!

Thanks for the tip!

jen

Stefernie · Post by **Stefernie** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:32 pm

socknitster wrote:My husband has a bad habit of leaving pens in his pockets and i have a bad habit of forgetting to look for them (though I shouldn't have to!). I made him slave over an ink-stained load just this weekend!

jen

I like you already. Just sayin'.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:10 pm

Was it the slave comment?

I think he will take the pen issue more seriously now, don't you?

I used to call him on the phone cussing every time it happened. I decided that wasn't good for his professional image (he is vice pres of r and d for an analytical chem company) so I decided to save those special loads just for him to figure out how to fix. He is the chemist after all!

By the end of the weekend he was just as frustrated and irate as I was on previous occasions. It was a golden moment in our marriage.

jen