I bought 2 sets of 100% modal sheets. They are my absolute favorite sheets ever. *However*, I returned one set because the seams on the pillowcases and fitted sheet started to come apart. They replaced it for me and now both sets have seams that have come about. I returned them and got some Egyptian cotton percale sheets instead. It is such a shame. I loved the way they felt.

i just wore a new shirt made of a modal/cotton blend and I have a very itchy rash on my neck which is around the neckline of the shirt. I had an allergic reaction to the shirt. I will not buy anything else that is made of modal.

I have had a horrible allergic reaction to a bra that is made from 90 percent modal.It was a red itching rash that turned into hives. I had to go the doctor and was on medication. It lasted for three weeks. I even washed it several times with hypoallergenic detergent and wore it for one day, and broke out again. This how I narrowed it down to the modal. I will check my clothing labels from now on to make sure I never buy anything with modal again.

I *love* my modal bed sheets, absolutely love how they feel. I bought my set four years ago at Bed, Bath and Beyond and am ready for more. I decided to check into what exactly "modal" is and that is why I am writing now. The description above states that modal is heavily processed using chemicals. Can I expect that those chemicals are toxic? I am aware that the skin is highly absorbent and I wonder to what extent the chemicals used linger as a residue that the skin will then absorb. Does anyone have an answer?

I am a garment manufacturer in Australia. We use Modal fabric every day (for three years). Ours is made and milled in Australia. This country has very strict rules about chemicals used in the process. No one here has any reactions. I would suggest when buying clothing to find out where the fabric was made. Third world countries are to be avoided if possible.

I have very sensitive skin and bought a scarf with 42 percent modal in it. i ran it through my hand to show my husband. i now have a red rash with blisters and itching on the hand it slid through. I will be watching the labels on everything I buy from now on to make sure they do not contain modal. cmsz

I've not surprised by all the posts by people who are having allergic reactions to clothing articles - because the industry has been keeping people in the dark for so long. It's not just the fibers - it could very well be the weaving and finishing of the cloth. People just are not aware that the textile manufacturing industry uses up to 2000 different chemicals in processing the fabric - many of which are know to be harmful to humans. Try looking for anything certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or, in a pinch, Oeko Tex 100, both of which certify that no chemicals known to be harmful to humans have been used on the fabric.

I love modal sleepwear from Carol Hoffman!

It is 95 percent modal and 5 percent spandex.

I couldn't be happier - no chemical smell - a softness and stretch so perfect that I even put on a slip and a chain belt and wore mine to the grocery store. The feel is so soft it's like a soothing ointment on my skin - I actually make an "Ahhhh" sound every time I put them on.

I work from home as a web developer and now I find I have to make a convincing argument to myself about why I am changing out of my pj's into something much less comfortable. Hooray for working from home. It rocks and so does modal - wash inside out - hand to dry - of course mine are only pj's - I ironed one of them just to see if it looked or felt better - it did feel smoother but not enough to make me take out the iron again.

My husband is going to the doctor. He broke out with a severe rash exactly matching the neckline of a 65 percent Modal Tony Hawk shirt made in Indonesia. And yes the shirt was washed prior to wearing. I'm assuming based on the number of posts that he is having an allegic reaction to either the modal itself or to the chemicals used to make this shirt. Will not buy anything with Modal again.

I have a few modal sheet sets now and will only use modal sheets. One set is a cotton modal mix and I think I liked the pure modal from another store better. (Wore better.) As for modal clothing, I have found that turning it inside out is good because it does not pill as much, ironing it on warm is usually fine, and hanging it to dry is the best way to be sure it does not shrink. I have very sensitive skin and I have never had any problems with modal. The problems I have had have arisen due to detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets. Start with those before throwing out the modal.

Can you hem modal?

China beware I have bought T shirts at the Gap to wear around the house and even though 100 cotton and feel "soft" they leave a weird scatchy feel on my skin cant wear them for long...what are they doing over there? I think we need to find out- I am very concerned, about their lack of overview regarding what they say they use and what they do use to save a few $$$. If anyone else has experienced this please post.

I had some jeans with modal in them, they fell apart in less than a year, holes everywhere & very thin in places. I did like the softness of them, though.

I came across this page looking to see what Modal actually was. Now I know, too bad about all the chemicals, I like my new T shirts. Soft, bet they won't last.

I was recently looking up why I might be having some irritation from Victoria's Secret underwear that is primarily nylon and latex, made in China. I read online that a lot of this "made in China" underwear is treated with formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. I just went out shopping for some new undies and had a lot of trouble finding the cotton variety. I ended up buying quite a bit of modal/cotton/spandex material, made in India. I have yet to try it, but am hoping that it works out well.

The reason I'm posting this is that I'm wondering if those of you having a reaction to modal have stuff made in China, in which case you may be reacting to formaldehyde and not the modal?

I've had modal shirts and sheets and never once experienced shrinkage, wrinkling or irritation. I've found it to be the lightest, softest fabric.

For irritation, consider what is it blended with, what detergent are you using, what dryer sheets? *Any* fabric will wrinkle if you stuff too many items into the washer or dryer. I've never needed to iron anything made with modal, never once.

I've also never experienced the chemical scent people mention. I have extremely sensitive skin and find modal one of the best fabrics. As for the chemical process to make it, look up how paper and most soaps are made... Read the list of ingredients on your boxed/bagged/canned foods...

I had a rash for a week and even had to go to the Doctor to get my blood drawn. I even washed the sheets a couple times too. The sheets also shrunk and come undone during the night. A huge rip off, I am so sad that I wasted $100 dollars. Maybe I can sell them on ebay for $10. I would not recommend this to anyone, especially if you have kids, they are sensitive to allergens more than we are, my little boy was scraping his skin with the scratching.

I recently developed bronchitis for some unknown cause too, the pain and body aches became so bad they had to put me on prescription narcotics, tylenol and ibuprofen. By the way, all these pain killers are still not enough and my glands are swollen. I hate modal.

Every so often I would be extremely itchy all day. I thought it was something in the air. I made a vague mental note that the shirt I wore had cotton, modal and lycra in it, then forgot all about it. The next itchy day I checked, and sure enough my shirt had cotton and modal. Now, here I am again, an itchy day and a new shirt. This one has only cotton and lycra. So maybe it's both or maybe tags don't always fully disclose? (I am fine with pure cotton.) I'll be testing more I suppose...

I had modal sheets in college and they ruled. There was absolutely no chemical smell and no allergic reaction whatsoever among any of my friends, and we sat on the bed often. Also, I seriously doubt that the chemicals used to treat the fabric is leaked into the environment. When purchased the fabric is incredibly soft and comfortable.

After around 3 years of use and washing they lost their softness, so I bought another set. Modal is seriously my favorite fabric

-Brendan

I just purchased 95% model underwear from Costco. Based on your feedback, I smelled just when unpackaging the garments and the chemical smell is very strong. Based on your description of this fabric and the comments, I am going to return this product because of the toxic chemical processes and pollution created in its fabrication. I will not purchase any modal products again. Thank you!

anon15501, touche! You obviously have a strong background in chemistry, or did your homework! I appreciate the article and subsequent comments- don't think I'll buy that modal shirt I was considering!

I have noticed a distinct smell when wearing my modal/cotton Target-purchased t-shirts. The smell is a bit like b.o or a petroleum based odor. I smell it all over these shirts but primarily anywhere I have perspired...or where the shirts have gotten wet. it is particularly bad when taken straight out of the wash, before drying. I know it is not me, none of my other shirts have this problem. Could it be a residual chemical compound from processing?

I bought a shirt that was 100% modal, and I washed it in cold water on gentle cycle and hung it to dry. It shrank at least two sizes. I can't wear it now when before it was pretty loose fitting. I will not buy another modal shirt ever again!

I believe I am having an allergic reaction to modal, from a nightgown made of 95% modal (made in China). I would like to know if anyone thinks this could be related to the chemicals used in the processing.

washed/dried my modal knit top about 5 times. Now getting limp & pilled. never noticed it had modal in it until it deteriorated. Disappointed esp. when there's a chance it's bad for environment.

I purchased 100% modal sheets recently and they did not hold up well. They frayed badly when I washed and dried them (according to instructions) and were horribly wrinkled coming out of the dryer - worse than cotton. One of the things I don't like about 100% cotton sheets is that they must be ironed - the modal were even worse. I took them back to the store and was told that many customers had returned the modal sheets for the same reasons. Back to the blended sheets for my family - combed cotton and polyester -- they are silky to the touch and require no ironing.

Is anyone aware of any allergic reactions to Modal? I think I may be having an allergic reaction to modal sheets/pillowcases and wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this.

i just bought a modal t-shirt and for those who are asking about the washing instructions, here is what my garment says:

machine wash cold, gentle cycle, only non-chlorine bleach when needed, tumble dry low, cool iron on reverse side. do not iron on print.

this might not be the same for all modal, but thats what mine says. it is 88% modal and 12% polyester (made in jordan)

I bought a set of sheets made out of 100% modal and loved them. They feel like silk. I just wish now I knew where I bought them.

I bought a t-shirt that is 55% cotton and 45% modal. It was a loose fitting style shirt (as is the fashion now) & looked great! After washing and drying (according to the directions - cold water, low drying heat) it shrank so much that I can't wear it. Very disappointing.

Well, cotton is also a fabric which requires ironing and so it is wrinkled. Most cotton and modal blend material can be ironed - warm.

anon14993, your comment shows a lack of understanding of the question you are responding to. The environmental impact of the original resource (beechwood) is indeed minimal, or can be if the producer so chooses. The question, though, is about the environmental impact of the chemically intensive processing. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH- also known as caustic soda or lye) is used to ‘cook’ the fiber into a form of regenerated cellulose fiber; carbon disulfide is used for hydrolysis alkalization combined with multi phase bleaching. this produces toxic chemical waste. Sure, beech trees are a natural, renewable resource, but the process to make them into fiber is far from environmentally friendly.

anon11695, your comments show a lack of knowledge about renewable resources. The environmental impact is minimal. Modal can be washed and dried. Otherwise, why make towels out of it?!

Have there ever been any answers to the questions about modal? I just bought tee shirts with this fabric and now I'm worried that this material might not be very good. B.

Tee-shirt of 49% modal belend with cotton and 3% Spandex says "do not wash" and "do not tumble dry". Why not? Your article says the textile is washable.

This was a good article and gave me the explanation I was looking for. Giving background information such the origin of the material, processing and common uses is interesting and not to scientific.

I'm just curious because there is mention of heavy chemical processing. What is the environmental impact of widespread use of modal in textiles? Along with that can a company consider itself environmentally responsible if it's marketing modal?

t-shirt of 60% cotton and 40% modal says do not iron--why not, its very wrinkled?