# Melting fleece

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 9, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347 "2007-05-09T02:32:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347/1 "2007-05-09T02:32:59Z")

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Due to a misprogrammed microwave (user error), I melted/scorched a fleece pillow filled with flaxseed (though nothing actually caught fire). The house reeks of smoke (it’s day 2 of my “windows open” program).

Should I be concerned about residue fumes/vapors from the ~6 sq in of fleece that melted?

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347/2 "2007-05-09T03:15:07Z")

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[http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/HEALTH.htm](http://www.fibersource.com/f-tutor/HEALTH.htm)

> [@](#):
>
> Some synthetic fibers, such as polyester and polyolefins, also produce only these three gases [CO, (carbon monoxide), CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water)] when burned. Other fibers, such as polyamides (nylon) or acrylics, contain nitrogen and are thus theoretically capable of producing other toxic gases during burning.

So looks to me like if it was a polyester pillow, you’re OK in terms of toxic gases, but it isn’t good to breathe _any_ form of smoke for extended periods, so I’d step up the ventilation. Put a big air-moving fan (available at fine Menards/Lowes/Handy Dans everywhere for about $50) in an upstairs window blowing out, and fiddle with the rest of the windows in the house until you get a draft through the center of your house that will prevent you from closing the door of the room where the fan is. Then open a few more strategically placed windows and let 'er rip.

Make sure the fan is completely stabilized in the window; it puts out a LOT of vibration, and I’ve known them to judder themselves right out of the window, through the screen, and onto the porch roof. Or, alternatively, to fall inwards and land grill-first on the bedroom floor with a tremendous bang, and lie there roaring, scaring the hell out of the dog and the baby.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347/3 "2007-05-09T03:31:55Z")

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[QUOTE=LilyoftheValley]  
Due to a misprogrammed microwave (user error), I melted/scorched a fleece pillow filled with flaxseed (though nothing actually caught fire). The house reeks of smoke (it’s day 2 of my “windows open” program).  
[/QUOTE]

Stupid question: what was a fleece pillow doing in the microwave?

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**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\
**Post date:** [May 9, 2007, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/melting-fleece/403347/4 "2007-05-09T05:40:37Z")

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[QUOTE=Dewey Finn]  
Stupid question: what was a fleece pillow doing in the microwave?  
[/QUOTE]  
Many people believe heated pillows on the back or neck help relieve muscle tension. A common method of doing this is to take pillows containing natural ingredients (like flaxseed) and heat them in a microwave.