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The boiling water protocol

October 17, 2016 at 6:48 pm, 9 comments

The boiling water protocol

The boiling water protocol is a method for removing toxins from textiles and other objects and consists of the following steps:

  • put your items in a bucket outdoors away from living spaces and people. I prefer to use a metal bucket because if you use plastic you end up with plastic residues on your items, but it is up to you what you prefer;

  • put water to boil in a big pot. If you don't have a big pot you can use a smaller pot, but you'll have to refill the water and boil several times;

  • when the water is boiling pour it over your item in the bucket. The water level should be enough to cover the item. If one pot-full is not enough, boil more water and repeat;

  • stay away from the bucket until the water is cool enough to touch – lots of toxins will be released in the vapour;

  • wash your item with warm water and soap or treat with EM1

  • OR put it in the washing machine and wash normally.

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Using boiling water does not destroy mycotoxins and other biotoxins, which require much higher temperatures for that, but it allows the toxins to evaporate with the water vapour, releasing them from your fabrics and items in much higher amounts than you could otherwise achieve with washing alone.

Because of this, it is fundamental to do it outdoors and not breathe in the vapours!

Be careful when disposing of the water in the bucket because this will also be full of toxins and might contaminate an area if you tip it on the ground.

Wash the bucket with soap and water 2-3 times as soon as you are done with it to prevent toxins sticking.


Another advantage of this protocol is that it kills any spores or living organisms that might otherwise enter your safe space and grow there.


If you are using a washing machine it can keep it safe from contamination.


I use this protocol when I wash my clothes after going out and getting contaminated with powerful mycotoxins, to clean my clothes thoroughly and avoid bringing any bad mold spores into my safe space.


It is also fundamental to use the boiling water protocol for anything contaminated with live toxin-producing microorganisms that might grow on clothes and other items, or items that have come in contact with a contaminated item. 

Washing clothes that have touched an item contaminated with certain toxin-producing microorganisms and hanging them to dry might be enough for these microorganisms to grow on your clothes and produce toxins there. This can become an entry point for these microbes to colonise your living space (and/or washing machine), so it is good to be vigilant when it comes to this effect.


The boiling water protocol is also very useful for cleaning your clothes when they have become contaminated from your sweat when you are going through heavy detox.


I have used this protocol with many different kinds of fabric: cotton, hemp, bamboo - even wool. If you use it for wool, be very careful not to agitate the clothes until the water is cool enough to touch and then rinse them with the same water temperature throughout to prevent shrinking.


Using the boiling water protocol does not appear to damage fabrics to a visible extent, except fabrics containing an elastane blend or an elastic band. In this case, clothes will stretch.


Boiling clothes


If your clothes are severely contaminated, but you still want to save them, you can actually boil your clothes.


To do this, put them in a big pot and heat. After the water reaches boiling point, let them boil for at least 30min.


You can use a camping cooker so that you are able to do this safely outdoors.


Don't put in too many items at once, because there needs to be room for clothes to move around with the boiling water.


If you are doing more than one load of clothes, discard the water and wash the pot several times with soap before re-using it.


Cotton can be boiled for a long time without sustaining much damage, but I do not advise this for synthetics which might lose their shape.


I haven't tried boiling other kinds of fabrics.


If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to answer!


9 comments - The boiling water protocol

Viveka - October 17, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Very helpful post :) thanks for writing and I look forward to reading more
Sandra Elam - November 11, 2016 at 5:04 am
Hi Sara - I am going to follow this protocol because my husband tracked in a mold toxin and it got on my bath towels and now in my washing machine.
Maree Kratzer - December 1, 2016 at 8:34 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your discoveries Sarah, your innovation has been so helpful to me!
Susie Healy - December 2, 2016 at 4:34 am
As always, Sara, great, knowledgeable and helpful info. Thank you.
Ella Faye - December 2, 2016 at 5:32 am
Thanks Sara, I have found using boiling temperature water to soak clothes quite helpful.
Tia - December 2, 2016 at 4:37 pm
Sara Tamames...you have been so helpful. Following your advice has made huge differences in my life to help my whole family avoid mold and toxins. I appreciate the specific details that have made a difference. It is wonderful to find others who feel and understand the toxins. It makes us feel less alone in a world where many do not realize they are affected by toxins. We are the canaries in the coal mine for them and maybe in time what we learn will help them if they ever get sick themselves. I think others have headaches, pain or illness and never correlate any of it to their environment. I see so many online now though talking and sharing how they too have reached a toxic overload and now have decreased immune systems too. I think as more become more sensitive to what is triggering them they will start looking for answers. With the internet these days many more will start to study this as well. I appreciate that we all have found a place to share and learn from each other.

I will say I am having luck soaking items in ozoned water if you ever get a chance to try it. I use it for new items, light cross contamination or scented items. Normally I cover the bucket to trap the ozone overnight. It may work on ground but would be harder to cover. I also am finding placing buckets of ozoned water into areas helps clear the air/area as the gas is released. It works on small areas. I like it better then the ozone gas machines which I am not comfortable with using inside as of yet. It feels like the ozone in the water disapates quicker. I usually keep a door closed to trap it in a small area overnight. One must still avoid the area for a short time due to gas after you open the door to air it out. Note: I only have used these in a new home and would not do either of these with toxic mold or heavy contamination of mycotoxins.
Christian - January 12, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Hi Sara. When you are cleaning the bucket after performing your "boiling water method", doesn't the cleaning utensil get contaminated? How exactly do you clean the bucket?
Sara Tamames - January 20, 2017 at 12:28 pm
I use metal buckets. They get a bit contaminated, but washing with soap and water and leaving them in the sun for a while gets rid of it. Not many toxins stick to the bucket, so it is not a big problem. I use a vegetable sponge to clean.
Then if the sponge or bucket is still contaminated I spray them with EM1. it is not possible to eliminate all contamination all at once. It is a process of reducing contamination to levels that our immune system can tolerate and in time it gradually disappears.
Stacey Nooney - February 13, 2021 at 5:51 pm
Hi there....just a question about boiling clothes. Do we boil them with any type of enzyme or just boil the clothes in water? Then let them sit overnight in EM1? Where can we purchase Em 1? How do we try to clean a washer/dryer that may be contaminated?

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