- Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
- Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
- Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
- Limonene: Known carcinogen
- A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
- Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list
- Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
- Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
- Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
- Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
If that’s not bad enough, dryer sheets are made of FIBERGLASS. I don’t know about you, that will give me pause to reconsider before I toss another dryer sheet in with a load of panties in the future.
So what’s a girl to do? Bid farewell to fluffy towels? No way. There are plenty of wonderful, natural alternatives to chemical-laden dryer sheets. They are easy to make, use ingredients you probably already have in your cupboard and cost next to nothing.
THE REMEDY
FOR SOFTNESS (IN THE WASH)
Vinegar (among all the other amazing things it can do) is a natural fabric softener. It also removes soap residue, neutralizes tough odors and reduces dryer static. You can add vinegar directly to laundry during the rinse cycle or pour vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser (or fabric softener ball if your machine is dispenserless) of your washing machine.
FOR SOFTNESS AND SCENT (IN THE DRYER)
Grab and old, cotton washcloth that is ready for retirement. Add 3-5 drops of essential oil of your choice (Whole Food’s 365 eucalyptus oil is my favorite – and very affordable!) to your cloth and throw it in the dryer with a load. Replenish cloth with 3-5 drops between each dryer load.
If you’re seeking something with even more wrinkle-release power, check out Mister Steamy, a non-chemical fabric softener/wrinkle release ball that depends on the power of steam to whip your laundry into shape.
CHIME IN: What are your favorite alternative, green or natural laundry tips?
i’ve always been weary of these sheets.. been waiting for this info to smack me in the face! thank u!
I don’t know why it came as a surprise to me, either. Funny that we’ve all been very aware of the dangers of cleaning products, but haven’t really considered our laundry habits–and those are the things we put on our bodies 24 hours a day!
exactly! along with all our hygiene products.. all of it rests on the body until it’s rinsed in the shower – the skin is free for a few short moments until it all gets reapplied.. it’s amazing how many products we use on a daily basis are toxic.
Have you checked out http://www.ewg.org/skindeep ? It’s a GREAT site to check toxicity ratings for all kinds of beauty and health products. Shocking and scary, but it has lead me to some better choices, for sure.
I am checking it out now for the first time, thank you. I’ve always wanted this kind of thing. You know, for me it’s easy, when I see and believe that something is toxic, it’s almost a natural reaction,I just want nothing to do with it.
I used to have a washer/dryer, which made the house smell gorgeous, but rarely used a dryer sheet, although I did buy some. The dryer stopped working, so I dried stuff outside in the summer (love the smell of air dried laundry) and on an airer inside at other times. I’ve recently replaced my washer (no dryer this time), but still dry stuff either outside or on an airer, still makes the house smell nice!
Rebecca,
I have been trying to figure out how to line dry in my yard, too. I don’t have trees space where I can hang a line – but there must be SOME solution. Nothing beats sun bleached, breeze-dried sheets. So yummy.
Just clicked in when I saw dryer sheets! Loved you play on words title! Vinegar in the wash! I can’t stand the smell to begin with…Really? You have definitely peaked my interest!
Peach State
I promise, they don’t come out smelling like vinegar. Especially if you add the essential oil. Just soft, happy towels.
Not pickles!
Very interesting! Will check this and other options out.
Taping a dryer sheet under someone’s desk (or behind something where they cannot see it) is a useful prank/revenge dealie. Now I might feel a little bad knowing the dangers.
Nah.
Thanks for the vinegar tip! I will definitely use that. Or I’ll just tell The Husband, since I have been banned from using the washer and dryer. (Neat trick, eh?)
My friend just posted about these wool dryer balls on Facebook & I’m going to give them a try: http://mightynest.com/shop/health-home/cleaning-products/wool-dryer-balls
Dryer Ballz!