Dryer sheets, also called fabric softener sheets, supply wonderful scents that can make the task of doing laundry a more enjoyable experience.
These thin sheets are made of nonwoven polyester fabric covered with softeners to help soften clothes and reduce static cling and fragrances to produce a fresh smell.
However, aromatic sheets can be harmful, causing unnecessary exposure to “toxic chemicals” and carcinogens.
While it’s a good idea to be a conscious consumer, it’s essential to remember that not all chemicals are bad. Nearly all chemicals commonly found in dryer sheets are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Nevertheless, one lingering problem is the scents used in dryer sheets and other laundry products. More research is needed to specify the potential health consequences of scented laundry products.
In the meantime, switching to fragrance-free products or all-natural dryer sheet choices may be your best bet.
Ingredients in Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets contain many ingredients, but the most standard is:
- Dipalmethyl hydroxyethylammoinum methosulfate, a softening and antistatic agent
- Fatty acid, a softening agent
- Polyester substrate, a carrier
- Clay, a rheology modifier, which helps retain the viscosity of the coating as it begins to dissolve in the dryer
- Aromas
Products that may include fragrance ingredients, but are not spread to the body, like dryer sheets, are controlled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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Nevertheless, the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn’t demand manufacturers to reveal the ingredients used in their products on the label.
Dryer sheet manufacturers generally record only some ingredients on the dryer sheet box, but others don’t document any ingredients. You may be able to locate additional information on the manufacturers’ websites.
Proctor & Gamble, the inventor of Bounce dryer sheets, notes on their website, “All of our fragrances comply with the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) and the IFRA Code of Practice, and comply with all applicable regulations where they are marketed.”
What the Recent Research Says
The concern about dryer sheets stems from several studies that aimed to comprehend the effects of fragrances in laundry products.
A 2011 analysis found that breathing in scented products caused:
- Irritation to the eyes and airways
- Allergic skin reactions
- Migraine attacks
- Asthma attacks
Another study found up to 12.5 percent of adults documented adverse health effects such as asthma attacks, skin problems, and migraine attacks from the scent of laundry products coming from a dryer vent.
In a 2011 study published in Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, researchers found that dryer vents radiated more than 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are gases emitted into the air from the use of products. VOCs may be dangerous by themselves, or they may react with other gases in the air to produce toxic air pollutants. They’ve been connected to respiratory illnesses, including asthma and cancer.
According to the Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health study, VOCs ejected from dryer vents after using popular laundry detergent brands. Scented dryer sheets included chemicals like acetaldehyde and benzene, considered carcinogenic.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies seven of the VOCs found in dryer vent emissions as dangerous air pollutants (HAPs) during the study.
Conclusion
While dryer sheets aren’t likely as harmful and carcinogenic as many claim, the scents utilized in dryer sheets and other laundry products are still under investigation by experts. More research is needed to decide whether these scented products are harmful to your health.
Dryer sheets aren’t needed to keep clothes clean from an environmental standpoint. Single-use products produce needless amounts of waste and emit some potentially harmful chemicals into the air.
