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Sharon  'certain fabric softeners leave a residue behind that if flame touches the material, it will burn faster thatn material without the softener.'

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 Sharon - Although I don;t use softener for other reasons - allergies etc. - Thanks for pointing the info about the burn effects on the fabric.  Some weren't aware of that particular factor with fabic softener.  Thanks again for posting that one.

Ann

In regard to the polyester, if you will pay attention, just about any cotton knit that is gray has the 10% polyester in it.  I haven't heard the reason why, but that is such a tiny amount that I ignore the 10% and go ahead and send those, but won't send anything that is higher in content than that.  It is probably the higher amounts - 35% or more that cause the problems with melting onto the skin in case of fire. 

I still don't wash the underwear before sending because I figure they will only get to wear it one time anyway before they will have to send them to the laundry, so what does it matter if they get them washed or send them out to be washed the first time?  All the clothes have to eventually be washed.

Gran

Hi all,

I have lived & worked in the Arizona high desert which doesn't get as hot as the low valley deserts like Phoenix. Our soldiers can bee expecting 145 degrees.

Any place cloth rubbs can cause a chapped place or a rash even with 100% cotton. Powder helps but disappears quickly.

Polyester is really like plastic. It's hot in summer, cold in winter.

Test an old garment with a match & see how it melts. Perform the test wisely, polyester burns quickly.

Have you ever let your iron get too hot for pressing a synthetic garment & have it stick or melt to your iron?

I'm going to put a some Zinc Oxide in a few boxes.  See how that goes over. It was used to protect against sun burn before sun screen was developed.

Yes it is also ointment for diaper rash. Sweaty waste bands are irritationg to the skin. The only thing I'm worried about is how sand could stick to it. If they can't shower that would be like wearing sandpaper.

Sharon

Lately we have been choosing the Hanes comfort waistband boxers even if they have up to 25% polyester in them because they have such nice soft smooth waistbands, and they don't seem to have the rubber in the band which would really cause burns in case of fire if it got hot enough to melt or burn.

Gran