Photo by: Stacy Michelle
Though this blog is primary about personal care products, what we use to clean, disinfect and deodorize our homes should not be overlooked when it comes to our health.
When marketing fabric softeners and dryer sheets, advertisers promise soft, fragrant towels, sheets and clothes. The reality is, fabric softeners contain a very high amount of strong and toxic chemicals. The chemicals used are so strong, that large amounts of fragrances are used to cover up the fumes from the chemicals. For those reasons fabric softeners and dryer sheets is known as one of the most toxic household product used today.
Some of the chemicals used include benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, ethanol, limonene, ethyl acetate, linalool, limonene, pentane, and chloroform. These chemicals embedded in your clothes are slowly released into the air that you breathe and onto your skin which you absorb.
Here is a list of the chemicals commonly used and the health issues that can arise. List
Unfortunately, once fabric have been washed with fabric softener or dried with a dryer sheet, it cannot be fully washed out. The chemicals acts as a wax, coating the fabric completely and no amount of washing will wash away the film (trust me, I tried!)
Fortunately, there are safer alternatives. My favorite fabric softener is plain white vinegar. Its very inexpensive when purchased in large quantities at places like Costso, but white vinegar can be found at pretty much every market and drugstore. For our top loader, I use 1/2 – 1 cup per load. Its especially useful since we line dry our laundry during most of the year, so it keeps the towels soft.
Brands such as Seventh Generation also offer a safer alternative to conventional brands if you don’t want to use vinegar.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The good news is that I have not used frabic softener since my first child was born 5 years ago. Phew!
Great info. Good luck with your website and products. Thanks for becoming a fan on facebook too.
@Megan – Thanks!
@Stacey – I stopped using it several years ago too after I found out it was giving me headaches and clogging my sinuses.
Hi,
I don’t think I’ve ever used fabric softener and after reading what’s in it, I’m really glad.
Vinegar is the best! You can do so much with it and it is so inexpensive. You can clean almost anything with vinegar and baking soda.
@Kim – I use vinegar for just about everything. If I dont like the smell, I use a little essential oil with it.
Just like Stacey, I don’t use these products.
@Vered – thats easy on the pocketbook, I bet!
Uh oh.. I consider myself green, but I never even thought about the dryer sheets. I love them and use them all the time! Oops. I’ll try the vinegar. Thanks so much for the eye-opener.
I find the vinegar works very well. If you dont have vinegar (or dont like the smell), baking soda works too.
I recently heard about vinegar and have used it several times. I think it’s great, I have told a few people to use it. Less expensive than the alternative and twice as good!
Good idea. I’m going to try that.
just like the other weoman who have commented, I don’t use frabic softener since my son was born 5.5 years ago. I don’t really miss it. the water here in Seattle are good and the clothes turn out soft without a sofetener.
I would love to know more about the uses of more natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, etc etc. It is fascinating how these innocent products can help around.
Speaking about natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, etc etc… do you know anything about other uses for them, not including for cooking?
@Nurit I use it for cleaning (along with some store brought products). I have hardwood floors and vinegar and water is the best cleaner for it. Its gentle, does a great job and doesn’t leave a film like soap based cleaners do. Baking soda and vinegar together is great for cleaning the tub, stove top (depending on the type of finish you have). Its actually great for so many household uses.
@Natural Glad you like it!
@Johanna Let me know how it goes! Its nice to hear from you too.
I read your blog for quite a long time and should tell you that your posts always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
@Heartburn Home Remedy, Vince – Thank you so much!
[...] one half cup of white vinegar in your wash acts as a natural fabric softener. I just pour it where you would normally use fabric softener in the [...]