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How to clean clothes/boots after getting gluten (beer) on them?

NoGlutensToday

By NoGlutensToday
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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NoGlutensToday Enthusiast
NoGlutensToday
Posted

I went to a concert last night in a venue with a bar. Inadvertently got some beer on my clothes from other patrons, as well as on my boots (the floor got sticky from a spilled drink or two). Not my usual scene, but it is what it is.

Looking for advice on getting the gluten out of my clothes…I searched online but haven’t found answers to this particular question. Can I just wash them in my washing machine? Do I need to separate them from other clothes that haven’t been contaminated with beer?

 Also need to clean my boots off. They have a rubber sole so I can probably just rinse the bottoms off. Anything I can do for the rest of the boot, short of running it through the washer? It is wintertime here…would exposing the boots to the elements do anything to de-glutenize? (I know, I don’t eat off of my boots etc but I do try to avoid bringing gluten into the house, and I want to get rid of any lingering beer smell.)

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RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted

I would just wash the clothes.  To be extra careful you could wash them separately from other clothes and do an extra rinse, although probably not necessary.

Can you just gently hose off the whole boot? Or wipe with a wet rag? I would worry about how to get them dry if you get them too wet. Exposing to the elements will NOT remove or destroy gluten.

Molerey Rookie
Molerey
Posted

Hi NoGlutensToday, 

For your clothes, adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash can help break down any residues, including gluten proteins from the beer. It's also a natural deodorizer, so it might help with any lingering beer smell. Just make sure to use a gentle, gluten-free laundry detergent.

As for your boots, if they're made of a material that can handle it, a solution of water and vinegar can also be used to wipe them down. This won't damage the material but should help in removing any gluten traces as well as odors. Just make a mild solution (about one part vinegar to three parts water) and gently scrub with a soft cloth or brush. Then, leave them to air dry in a well-ventilated area but not directly in harsh elements since that could damage the material without affecting the gluten.

Hope this helps and that you can enjoy more events worry-free in the future :)

NoGlutensToday Enthusiast
NoGlutensToday
Posted
  • Author
On 2/12/2024 at 5:45 AM, Molerey said:

For your clothes, adding a cup of white vinegar to the wash can help break down any residues, including gluten proteins from the beer.

Are there any studies or other information available re: white vinegar being effective at breaking down gluten proteins? I did a search and didn't find anything ... but if this is true (and I'm not saying it isn't...I just want to see some scientific info about it) that's really good to know.

Appreciate the response!

RMJ Mentor
RMJ
Posted
18 minutes ago, NoGlutensToday said:

Are there any studies or other information available re: white vinegar being effective at breaking down gluten proteins? I did a search and didn't find anything ... but if this is true (and I'm not saying it isn't...I just want to see some scientific info about it) that's really good to know.

Appreciate the response!

As a scientist I was curious and tried to look this up. Acid and heat will help solubilize gluten, but this paper is talking about pH 1-3, and a cup of vinegar in a washing machine isn’t going to make the pH that low.

Effect of heating and acidic pH on characteristics of wheat gluten suspension

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