As a kid, I enjoyed the fragrance that dryer sheets left on my clothes, and I especially loved burying my face in a warm, scented towel after a bath. But since my introduction to COPD (read Why Fragrance Free?"), I realized the potential dangers of this "fresh" smell, not just for people with compromised respiratory issues, but for everyone who breathes. National Allergy® states: "...the dryer sheets we so often use can contain harsh chemicals like Camphor, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha-Terpineol, Benzyl Acetate, Benzyl Alcohol and Pentane." Dryer sheets are designed to stay on clothing for a long period of time and slowly release their chemicals throughout the day.

According to an article by Annie B. Bond on care2.com, some of the symptoms experienced from prolonged exposure to the chemicals in dryer sheets include "headaches, nausea, vomiting , dizziness, central nervous system disorders, blood pressure reduction, fatigue, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, difficulty concentrating and remembering, cancer, irritation to skin, mucus membranes and respiratory tract, and liver damage." Some pet owners use dryer sheets to cut down on the static that causes animal hair to cling to fabrics. The cationic (derivative of ammonia) detergents found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets can cause many of the same symptoms in pets as they do in people. Bounce™ cautions pet owners to keep dryer sheets away from animals to avoid accidental ingestion. Even if your pet doesn't actually eat the dryer sheet (though that possibility is very real if your cat likes to play with them!), animals are prone to licking their fur and bedding, thus ingesting the toxic chemicals that way.

Dryer sheets also create a potential fire hazard. The lint screen in your dryer, if not cleaned frequently (scrubbed with soapy water, not just picked free of fiber buildup), will become coated with fabric softener residue, which can cause the dryer to overheat and possibly catch on fire. As a test, pull your lint screen out, take it to the sink and run water on it. Does the water pass through, or does it slide off?

Since my husband and I became sensitized to chemical-laden fragrances, I've been using vinegar in the washer's rinse cycle to remove the soap residue that causes wrinkling and static.

If you prefer the convenience of dryer sheets, however, Static Eliminator "will save you money, reduce waste and give you the peace of mind that you're using a dryer sheet system that you can LIVE with." Static Eliminator dryer cloths are reusable (no annoying waste to find and discard after every load), odorless, and 100% hypoallergenic. If you've been using traditional sheets, it may take up to four loads to remove the chemical buildup from your dryer before the Static Eliminator sheets will be fully effective. Soften clothes and eliminate static without harsh chemicals!

Cindy Hiday
2009

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