Why You Should Stop Using Dryer Sheets Immediately
They smell good and make your clothes feel the softest they've ever felt. Dryer sheets get the job done every time ... but at what cost? Dryer sheets are usually a necessary and essential part when it comes to laundry day. If you grew up in a household where dryer sheets were used often when doing the laundry, chances are you probably still do it today in your life. Who doesn't love the way their laundry feels and smells after a good wash and dry with dryer sheets? We all do. However, one of the biggest laundry misconceptions known to man is thinking that dryer sheets are actually good for your clothing and overall health.
According to House Beautiful, using dryer sheets causes more harm than good. Some of us are guilty of it. I mean, how else are we expected to keep our clothes feeling extra soft and dry? Well, now would be a good time to find other alternatives. Here's why you should rethink using dryer sheets altogether for laundry day.
Here's why you shouldn't use dryer sheets
Not only are dryer sheets not good for your clothing, but they can be damaging to your health. According to CNet, dryer sheets contain fibers with fatty acids, scents, and a variety of chemicals. In the dryer, the heat causes the fatty acids to melt, which is what makes your clothing soft and non-staticky. The dryer sheets also cover the entire dryer, including the lint filter. What happens is the residue from the fabric softener forms on the filter over time, load after load making it very difficult to remove because the holes in the filter are blocked by the film.
This is what causes your clothes to be covered in lint after being in the dryer. The lint will stay attached to your clothing, and wear your clothing down over time. This will also affect the quality of your clothing, towels, and bedding. You should definitely avoid using dryer sheets when washing microfiber, kitchen, bath, or cleaning towels.
Why dryer sheets are harmful
According to Apartment Therapy, Environmental Working Group's senior research and database analyst Samara Geller explained that dryer sheets carry a likely harmful chemical QACS, otherwise known as quaternary ammonium compounds. Geller explains that it's been known to trigger or enhance asthma as well as skin irritations, but it's also been associated with more serious conditions such as cancer and reproductive issues. It's very important to know that even if a product seems safe doesn't mean that it actually is because it can contain harmful chemicals. Geller further explained that the labeling on cleaning products is not always the most accurate and that sometimes ingredients are not properly disclosed.
According to Healthline, because the Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't require manufacturers to reveal the ingredients used in their products on the label, dryer sheet manufacturers generally do not include any ingredients at all, so we're not actually aware of every ingredient used in dryer sheets.
A good replacement for dryer sheets
Dryer balls are simple, low priced, and they last for years. According to House Beautiful, wool dryer balls can last up to years of usage, and they help to enhance the quality of your clothing, eliminate static, and condense dryer time. The balls are designed to move around to soften the fiber of the clothing and set apart the clothing to help heat flow and ward off any friction or static. Your clothes will come out feeling softer than ever, and you'll wonder why you never used them before. It's cost-efficient, less time-consuming, and you'll have better quality clothes. How much better can it get than that? All you need is three to six balls in the dryer at a time, and your clothes will come out soft, warm, and static-free.
Other useful methods include adding baking soda and white vinegar to the washer and dryer, investing in reusable static eliminating sheets, or air drying using a clothesline.