Burnproof... With Asbestos?! What a Vintage Ironing Board Cover Can Teach Us About Hidden Household Hazards

We see a lot of incredible things working in the environmental consulting industry. From mystery materials in crawlspaces to DIY jobs that leave us speechless, no two days are ever the same. But today’s find? A true throwback shocker.

A client called us from Centennial, Colorado, asking how to dispose of an old ironing board cover she found while cleaning out her dad’s cabin. “It says it’s burnproof,” she told us. “But also… it says it’s made of asbestos?”

She wasn’t imagining it. Right there on the label in bold black letters: "ASBESTOS WITH NUFOAM – Burnproof Ironing Board Ensemble." OH yeah. This beauty was proudly made with 80% asbestos.

Let’s talk about why that’s terrifying, fascinating, and still relevant today—especially for homeowners in Denver, Aurora, Arvada, Lakewood, and the rest of our beautiful (and aging) Colorado neighborhoods.

 A Look Back: When Asbestos Was a Household Hero

Before asbestos became a known health hazard, it was basically the superhero of the material world. Fireproof, durable, flexible, insulating—it seemed like the perfect ingredient for everything from brake pads to oven mitts.

So it shouldn’t surprise us that in the 1950s–1970s, you could buy things like:

• Hair dryers lined with asbestos

• “Fireproof” theater curtains

• Fake holiday snow made from asbestos fibers (!)

• And yes… ironing board covers proudly featuring 80% asbestos

The Lady Susan ensemble even came with the tagline “Guaranteed Burnproof for Three Full Years.” We’ll just let that one speak for itself.

Interesting Fact: Asbestos was once so popular that some holiday decorations actually contained it—think shredded fiber snow you’d sprinkle on windowsills. Yikes.

Where Else Might Asbestos Be Hiding in Your Home?

We’re not here just for laughs (although… wow). The real issue is that many homes in Aurora, Denver, Lakewood, and surrounding areas still contain materials made with asbestos—especially those built before 1985.

Common asbestos-containing materials we still encounter:

• Popcorn ceilings

• Vinyl floor tiles and mastic

• Cement siding (transite)

• Pipe insulation and duct wrap

• Textured wall coatings

• Acoustic ceiling panels

Interesting Fact: Vinyl floor tile backing often contained asbestos—ripping up your retro kitchen flooring could release microscopic fibers you can't even see.

How Can You Tell If Something Contains Asbestos?

Short answer? You can’t—not just by looking at it.

Asbestos fibers are microscopic. Some asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are soft and crumbly, while others are hard and durable. That cover from Lady Susan? It looked like any other 1970s ironing board padding… until you read the label.

To safely determine if something contains asbestos, you need:

• A trained professional

• Proper PPE (personal protective equipment)

• A certified lab to analyze the sample

At Elevation Environmental Services, we provide professional asbestos testing throughout Arvada, Centennial, Lakewood, Aurora, and Denver.

Why Asbestos Is Still So Dangerous (Even Decades Later)

It’s easy to laugh at vintage packaging now, but asbestos exposure is no joke. When fibers become airborne and are inhaled, they can become permanently lodged in your lungs. Over time, this can cause serious health issues including:

• Asbestosis (scarring of the lungs)

• Mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive cancer)

• Lung cancer

• Chronic respiratory issues

And here’s the kicker: symptoms can take 20–40 years to show up.

If you're planning a renovation in Denver, check out our post Why Asbestos Testing is Crucial Before Any Home Renovation in Denver for a detailed look at CDPHE Regulation 8 and why testing matters first. Also, wondering “Is it legal to still have asbestos?” Our post Is Asbestos Still Legal? clears up why it's still found in modern materials across the Denver metro area.

Interesting Fact: Even “modern” homes in the 1980s sometimes used leftover asbestos materials from previous decades—so age alone is not a guarantee of safety.

What Do You Do With an 80% Asbestos Ironing Board Cover?

If you find a household item that clearly contains asbestos (like our client’s cover), the first rule is: Don’t disturb it.

Here’s what we told our client in Centennial—and what we’d tell anyone:

1. Don’t cut, rip, or shake it

2. Don’t throw it in the trash

3. Contact a professional for disposal guidance

   
   

In most cases, we recommend securely double-bagging the item in 6-mil plastic, clearly labeling it, and disposing of it at an approved facility. Regulations vary by county, so you might also want to check out our post Minor vs. Major Asbestos Spills in the Denver Metro Area for spill guidance and state requirements.

What We Can Learn From Vintage Finds Like This

That ironing board cover might seem like a relic from the past—but it’s also a powerful reminder that hidden hazards can live right in plain sight.

It also reminds us of something really important:

• Your home might contain asbestos and still look fine.

• Disturbing materials is what kicks fibers into the air—not their age or appearance.

• Testing is fast, affordable, and way safer than guessing.

Interesting Fact: Movie Magic, with Asbestos?!In the 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, the dreamy snow that falls over Dorothy and her friends in the poppy field scene? That was pure asbestos—a product called chrysotile, or “white asbestos.” At the time, it was seen as the perfect fake snow because it wouldn’t melt under hot stage lights.

Proudly Serving Colorado Communities

Elevation Environmental Services is locally owned and based in Colorado. We serve homeowners, contractors, and real estate professionals across:

• Denver

• Aurora

• Centennial

• Arvada

• Lakewood

• And all surrounding communities

Whether you're:

• Renovating your kitchen

• Tearing out a popcorn ceiling

• Selling a home built before 1985

• Or just found something that makes you go, “wait... what?”

We're here to guide you. For details on the testing process, checkout our post What to Expect During an Asbestos Inspection—a helpful walkthrough of sample collection, lab analysis, and inspections.

Schedule Asbestos Testing Today

Found something weird in your attic, garage, or old cabin? Don’t panic—just call us.

We’ll test the material, explain your options, and help you handle it the right way. No scare tactics—just honest guidance and expert support.

Call Elevation Environmental Services to get started.

Related Topics

Asbestos testing Denver, asbestos inspection Aurora, asbestos in vintage items Lakewood, asbestos consulting Centennial, asbestos material identification Arvada, environmental services Colorado, asbestos disposal guidance, popcorn ceiling testing, home renovation safety testing.