Craft Show Confidential: DIY Fire Retardant Spray

In the past couple of posts, I talked about the importance of using fire retardant fabric for your booth - in general, vendors should have booths that comply with local fire regulations.

If you have a pipe and drape booth set up, you have three options:

1. Buy drapes that are either inherently fire retardant or have been treated.
2. Purchase fire retardant fabric and make your own drapes.
3. Purchase the fabric of your choice and treat them with fire retardant.

Today I'm going to focus on #3. You can purchase commercial fire retardant spray, but it's pretty expensive ($15.95 a quart!). A less expensive option is to make the spray yourself.

Time for giving credit where it's due - I discovered the recipe in an article by Virginia Franco, How to Make Fire Retardant Spray. The recipe is simple and uses natural ingredients, so you can feel good using it.

Here's what you need:

• Protective gloves
  
• Spray bottle
• Funnel
  
• 7 oz. of Borax: This is a non-toxic laundry booster you can find in your grocery store. A 76 oz. box costs around $3.00.
  
• 3 oz. of boric acid: This chemical is a weak acid that can also be used as an antiseptic, insecticide, or acne treatment. A pound will cost you around $4.25.
  
• 2 quarts hot water

Here's what you do:

1. Put on your gloves - safety first!
   
2. Using the funnel, pour the Borax, boric acid, and water into the spray bottle.
3. Shake to combine.
4. Test the solution by spraying a small piece of your fabric, let it dry, and then touch it with a lit match.
5. Spray the fabric more as needed until the fabric passes the lit match test.

Alternatively, you can dip your fabric into the solution if you put it in a tub or bucket.

If you've made fire retardant spray before, I'd love to hear about it! Share your experience with the B.E.S.T. team by sending me an Email and I'll include it in a follow-up post. Be sure to include your name and a link to your Etsy shop.