If you are among the minority of people who hang their clothes on a line to dry, you are saving a ton of money and helping your family avoid the nasty chemicals that are harbored in dryer sheets.
Those fragrant dryer sheets might remove static from our clothes but they can contain carcinogens, neurotoxins, and respiratory irritants. You won’t see a list of these substances on the dryer sheet box because there are no laws requiring them to be listed (not unlike labeling laws for feminine hygiene products). These chemicals are released from the sheets and spread over the clothes and linens in your dryer, and then come into contact with your skin where they can be absorbed into your body, including sensitive areas.
What types of chemicals are lurking in dryer sheets? To prevent clothes from sticking together, dryer sheets are impregnated with cationic chemicals that neutralize negative particles on clothes. These chemicals also cause fabric fibers to rise, making clothes feel softer than they do when they dry in the sun.
Another “benefit” of these chemicals is that they usually make it unnecessary to iron your outfits because they leave a light waxy coating on your clothing. We have also been told our laundry should smell “fresh and clean,” so dryer sheets have a fragrance. Fragrances, which are a trademark of dryer sheets, are a significant source of hormone disruptors.
Toxins in Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softener
Only a few studies have attempted to identify the pollutants in dryer sheets and fabric softener, which are typically grouped under the same classification because their ingredients tend to be similar. (A little history lesson: Dryer sheets were introduced after fabric softeners. Although dryer sheets were initially designed to stop static cling, they were eventually formulated to provide fabric softener as well, thus the kinship between the two products.)One 2008 study from the University of Washington noted 15 substances in the dryer sheets tested, including two carcinogens (benzyl acetate and limonene) and several neurotoxins. Here are a dozen toxins you may find in dryer sheets and fabric softener:
- Alpha-terpineol. Known to cause central nervous system damage, respiratory problems, issues with muscle coordination, and headache.
- Benzyl acetate. A known carcinogen, it also may cause confusion, dry skin, red eyes, and dizziness. Inhaling the vapors can cause burning in the throat and breathing problems.
- Benzyl alcohol. Can affect the nervous system, causing confusion, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and even death.
- Biodegradable cationic softeners. Can cause nervous system damage, including confusion.
- Camphor. A neurotoxin that can cause cognitive symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
- Chloroform. A known carcinogen and neurotoxin.
- Dichlorobenzene. A possible human carcinogen, it may also irritate the skin, throat, and eyes.
- Ethanol. Considered to be “hazardous waste” by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Ethyl acetate. Considered to be “hazardous waste” by the Environmental Protection Agency and can cause headache, irritated throat and eyes, and stupor.
- Limonene. A known carcinogen, specifically when it is exposed to ozone as it creates formaldehyde. It also can irritate the skin and eyes.
- Linalool. Known to cause central nervous system damage, respiratory problems, and to limit motor activity.
- Pentane. Associated with central nervous system damage, motor activity limitations, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, respiratory problems and loss of consciousness if inhaled.
Safe, Natural Alternatives to Conventional Dryer Sheets
If you are yearning for a safe, natural alternative to conventional dryer sheets (and you don’t want to or can’t hang your clothes out to dry), here are four for you to consider.- Baking soda. Although adding 3 tablespoons of baking soda to the wash cycle won’t eliminate static, it will soften your clothes as well as remove those annoying detergent residues.
- White vinegar. You gotta love white vinegar for all of its super benefits, and here’s yet another one: a mere 2 ounces added to your rinse cycle will reduce static, get rid of stiffness in dried clothes, and remove detergent residue. Worried about mildew? Yes, it can eliminate that too.
- D-I-Y chemical-free dryer cloths. Soak a washcloth in white vinegar, wring it out, add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil, and toss it into your dryer.
- Dryer balls. You can purchase wool or nontoxic hypoallergenic balls or make your own wool dryer balls. They minimize static and also help clothes dry faster.
