Least Toxic Way to Waterproof Fabric

July 15, 2016, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Anonymous

What is a nontoxic way to waterproof fabric?

Debra’s Answer

I happened to run across a how-to webpage that gave six methods for waterproofing fabric:

1. waterproof sprays
2. laundry detergent and alum
3. turpentine and soybean oil
4. iron-on vinyl
5. beeswax
6. linseed oil

Most of these are pretty toxic, but beeswax is actually a great solution.

I used to have a “waxed” raincoat that was cotton coated with wax. This is apparently how they made raincoats before we had modern waterproof fabrics.

You may have heard of “oilcloth,” which is fabric treated with boiled linseed oil to make it waterproof. This was used for tablecloths. Today “oilcloth” is fabric with a layer of plastic.

Here are the instructions for waxing fabric to make it waterproof:
www.wikihow.com/Waterproof-Fabric