As the task of cleaning laundry is something that is passed down throughout generations, people sort of get stuck in their ways. People do laundry based on how they were taught or how they witnessed their parents doing it from a young age. Therefore, it is hard to break some habits. However, the dryer sheets that many people use these days are actually not healthy. For some, these sheets are really bad for the health of the person that is doing the laundry weekly.

Key Takeaways:

• A lot of people do their laundry in a way that is unique to their family and how they were raised.
• The sheets that people put in the dryer are used to make the clothes soft and comfortable.
• After doing multiple rounds of studies, scientists are finding that these sheets are actually not healthy

Here are some excerpts from the original article:

“And while pulling a warm, fresh load of scented laundry out of the dryer may make you feel warm and fuzzy, there’s likely something not-so-good happening inside of your body.”

“In one of the most interesting studies to date, pioneering fragrance researchers Anne Steinemann, PhD, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, looked at the chemicals spewing out of dryer vents. Using new, pre-rinsed organic towels, Steinemann and her team sampled laundry emissions after using scented fabric softening and dryer sheets in clean washers and dryers.

What was coming out of those vents? (And into people’s lungs?) Seven hazardous air pollutants and 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some of these, including acetaldehyde and benzene, are not safe at any level. (These are also pollutants that commonly spew out of vehicle tailpipes.) (1)”

“You can avoid the chemicals in dryer sheets by using some of these laundry room tactics:

• Add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle.
• Look for plant-based, unscented laundry detergents. (Or make your own from unscented castile soap.)
• Hang your clothing outside to dry. (You’ll enjoy a drop in your energy bill, too!)
• Add wool dryer balls to your dryer. It also cuts down on drying time. You can add a few drops of organic, therapeutic-grade peppermint essential oil to the balls for a light, natural fragrance.
• Always use plant-based, unscented laundry detergents. Or, make your own homemade laundry soap.
• Beware of “green” laundry products. Even some of them released toxic compounds in some studies.
• Lobby your workplace, apartment complex and/or neighbors to adopt these fragrance-free laundry practices to protect the health of everyone in your community and workplace.”

Read more: https://draxe.com/dryer-sheets/