PVC tablecloth, Am I worrying over nothing?

[annabegins24]

Hi everyone,

I just bought an oilcloth/wipeable table cloth from ebay and as soon as I opened the packet it had a really strong chemical smell, I looked up the description on ebay and its made from PVC which from what I've read is toxic.

The reason why a bought it is because we live in a rented house and the dining table that came with the house is made a wood. I've been weaning my 7 month old for a couple of months now and the food that is getting flung everywhere is ruining the table..its a sticky mess and nightmare to get off. Ive blue tacked a plastic mat in from of daughters highchair but the food ends up half way across the table.

So I thought I would get a wipeable cloth to place on top of table and also use it to place finger foods on as would make life a lot easier.

Now I don't know what to do as I'm worried the tablecloth I bought will be harmful. Am I worrying over nothing?

Cheers

xx

But he's not eating the tablecloth, is he??

How would the tablecloth chemicals get into the food?

I am not a chemist, but just speaking as a mother, it wouldn't bother me for one moment.

wouldnt bother me either as its not as if he will be chewing the tablecloth

Give it a good wipe over with an antibac, tbh I'm fairly sure I wouldn't have even thought twice about it! Deep breath, it is a great idea, the chemical smell will wear off!

what about something like this if you want to put foods on it

What the chemical? I would also worry, if there was an obvious smell and i looked it up anc it was found to be hatmful.

People are to blasé about chemicals IMO. While there's no need to worry yourself silly about them, but to just assume it's ok as bought in a ship is naive IMO. bisphenol A being a recent example of a chemical in our environment which has been proved to be harmful.

It may be absolutely fine. But in your shoes, I'd do what you are and find out more info.

A ship?! A shop!

Sorry full of typos there! On my phone ...

I can see why you'd be worried about this, though no idea if you need to be as I have no idea if the smell is pvc or some other factory chemical!
I don't think there's any point cleaning with anti-bac, you're not worried about bacteria. So I suggest a good clean with water, maybe in the bath, then air it in this lovely weather we're having. That should get rid of any lingering chemicals. I suggest airing it overnight or in the shade- if it's in the sun I guess there is a small chance the heat could make the oilcloth leach something out, though I'm sure that's OTT.
note I'm just guessing on all this, the only thing I do know is anti-bac is no use at all. No offence intended beany*

Ok, thanks for your different opinions. I'm by no means an eco warrior it's just when I opened the table cloth the smell was quite strong and it got me thinking so looked up pvc, then when you start reading things like cancer and all sorts it doesn't half get you worried! prity sure that's why alot of baby things are sold as bpa free now...I don't know if it's all just scaremongering!?
I've put it in the wash and out on the line to try get rid of smell.
Thanks ilovepowerhoop I might just purchase that if I still can't smell out.

Xx

Thanks Kikishack, as you can see from my previous post, you read my mind :)

PVC is horrible stuff and that smell makes me avoid it like the plague, along with as much plastic as is practicable. If there are a million plastic toys around the house then the addition of one tablecloth isn't going to make much difference but if you try to limit your exposure to chemicals/plastics generally, then I wouldn't use it.

Very happy to be proven wrong, antibac is my solution to everything!!!!

I bought my DD's a hot water bottle that had a strong nasty chemical smell. I threw them away. I personally wouldn't use a table cloth if it smells of chemicals on food my child would eat.

You could get an oilcloth table cloth. It is made of cotton and a coating of linseed oil.