It’s time for my monthly Stupid Plastic Crap nominee. This month’s product came from my recent interest in green cleaning products. I thought about nominating the Banana Bunker but I think banana plastic crap is too easy to make fun of. The Banana Bunker is a flexible, plastic device that prevents your bananas from being bruised. There is something about the good old banana! The real Stupid Plastic Crap item of March is dryer sheets.
I was surprised by how much information is out there on the toxicity of dryer sheets . The artificial fragrances in them are suspected carcinogens. Look at this list of problem compounds that are commonly found on dryer sheets. I got this from CARE2 by Annie B. Bond.
* Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer.
* Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant.
* Ethanol: On the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders.
* Limonene: Suspected Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant, Immunotoxicant, Kidney Toxicant, Neurotoxicant,
Respiratory Toxicant, and Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant.
* 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.
A minor problem (compared with health concerns) is that they clog your dryer filter. The chemicals that are in dryer sheets are designed to get into the fabric of your clothes and remain there, releasing their fragrance all day. They also get into the filter and slowly fill the holes up until it is clogged.
Planet Green suggests putting some dry lavender blooms in a sachet bag with your clothes if you want a nice aroma. They also suggest adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to the wash cycle to soften your clothes. I have heard that separating natural fibers from synthetic fibers to dry separately will help with static cling.
I did not come across anything good about dryer sheets. The chemicals in them harm the environment and are a danger to the health of anyone who wears clothes that have been dried with dryer sheets. Hang your clothes outside to dry if possible. Otherwise there are green ways to soften your laundry.
Michelle Z. says:
A long time ago, I gave in to the fact that I would always have scratchy towels.
The pseudo-softness, and "film" that I felt on clothes from dryer sheets, or even fabric softener for that matter grossed me out to the point of no return. I would rather feel the roughness, than the grossness.
That was until I discovered soapnuts! The thing is, they actually CLEAN your clothes! Their saponin releases all the nasty chemical additives that regular laundry detergent and dryer sheets have added to them, and leave your laundry incredibly soft. I'll never go back to anything that adds chemicals to soften laundry.
I love them so much, that I started selling them. You can find the best Soapnuts, and other fine natural, chemical free products at my site www.ecoGorgeous.com. Use coupon Gorgeous for a 10% savings.
Denise G. says:
Great Information on the dreadful ingredients of dryer sheets and I love the lavender suggestion. For those looking for that soft, fresh bed of sheets AND non-static cling, there is a SAFE alternative!
Check out Shaklee's veggie-based natural dryer sheets! They are biodegradable and they even break in two for a fair & just distribution of soft, satic-free goodness to every last item in the dryer!
They are nontoxic, fragrance free, RCYCLABLE and BIODEGRADABLE! I love them :) AND as a company, Shaklee offsets 100% of its CO2 emmisions every single year. Which I love because I think it is important to purchase from a company that truly walks their talk.
Check out:
www.shaklee.net/gaskell
Mariel T. says:
I've never used dryer sheets, and am glad I haven't after reading this. I'm not very fond of having a "fragrance" on my clothes after they're cleaned.
Drying on the line is definitely the best way to go. Your clothes last longer than if they are dried in a dryer. I'm looking forward to having line space again!
Cathy H. says:
I actully NEVER use dryer sheets and never will again. I don't NEED to use them either since I started using soap nuts for cleaning my laundry several months ago. They are the truest green laundry "soap" and actually naturally soften my clothes so there isn't a need for anything else. Check this out for more information.
http://www.letsbegreentogether.blogspot.com
http://www.letsbegreentogether.com
Laelle M. says:
If you don't think you would actually buy the sachets and lavender to put together yourself, check out your local Trader Joe's store if you have one. They have ready made lavender in a bag to throw in the dryer...and I think recommend using them 4-5 times before disposal.
Leslie B. says:
You can not imagine that DAILY, whenever i am outside, i smell dryer sheets. i have a visceral response to them, i want to SLAP whomever is dumb enough to be using them, and i mean down right stupid. Wake up people, the chemical industry has made certain that people are more and more inundated with chemicals that are slowly killing us. All this info is out now, there are no excuses for ignorance. What is the alternative, just hang your clothes. Simple, complete and free. If most people just opened their eyes, ears, noses and thought about it, there would be no need for all this foolishness. Think about all the other chemicals that you are putting on your bodies. They are ubiquitous and virtually none of them are tested for safety. i have been free of chemicals since i was 12, and am now 46. DAILY i am exposed to other people and their lack of consideration for not having scent and pollutants on their person. Think before you are exposing yourself and others to what you put on, put in, or put out in the world. People that are chemically sensitive have enought troubles without adding insult to injury.
Linda A. says:
I totally agree with you Leslie. Hang your clothes out on the line. I love the way they feel and smell (which is no smell). I also cannot stand smelling the dryer sheets of someone else. One time my cat was smelling "funny" for several weeks. I finally figured out that she was going to my neighbor's yard and sitting under the dryer vent to keep warm. She smelled like fabric softener.