09/14/2026
I’ve been upholstering full time and nothing else for 25 years now. I’ve finally had to change one of the most often used products in my process-foam and fabric adhesive. Since 2000, I’ve used one variation or another of a methylene chloride/ dichloromethane based adhesive for everything foam or fabric related. It was efficient, cost effective and fast, low odour, no residue, and twenty years ago it was considered a less dangerous product. My old shop had fume extraction and constant airflow. In 2019 that changed and I moved to Castlegar. I wrote off all my problems as Covid related, they started in late 2022, and just kept getting worse. I limited it use in October last year, and in May this year I finally stopped. I’ve tried very hard to limit and omit altogether the use of solvents. Everything is taking much, much longer, I’ve had to significantly change how I’m upholstering everything, building cushions, covering frames, foam shaping, repairs. I’m also not experiencing significant memory loss, mood swings, stomach issues, blood clotting issues, A fib and arrhythmias, 2023-2025. It’s not an issue until it is. I’m behind again. Waterbased adhesives add hours to every week, not using adhesive can completely change processes you’ve worked for decades. If you know, you know. Thanks again for your patience, back to work.
