10 Toxins Lurking in Your Fabric Softener

If you enjoy the smell of clean clothes straight out of the dryer you may be shocked to learn that smell comes at a cost. Most commercial fabric softeners–dryer sheets or the liquid variety–contain many toxic chemicals. Here are eight toxins found in most fabric softeners (and eight reasons to switch to natural options.) Not sure about your natural options? Stay posted for my next blog.

1. Alpha-Terpineol–This chemical has been linked to disorders of the brain and nervous system, loss of muscle control, depression, and headaches

2. Benzyl acetate–Benzyl acetate has been linked to cancer of the pancreas

3. Benzyl alcohol–Linked to headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, depression, as well as disorders of the brain and nervous system

4. Chloroform–Chloroform is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Hazardous Waste list because it has been identified as a carcinogen and neurotoxin (toxic to the brain and nervous system)

5. Ethanol–also on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list for its ability to cause brain and nervous system disorder

6. Ethyl Acetate–causes headaches and is on the EPA Hazardous Waste list

7. Linalool–in studies, this chemical caused loss of muscle coordination, nervous system and brain disorders, and depression

8. Pentane–causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and depression

The standard argument in favor of using fabric softeners is that the amount of the chemicals to which a person is exposed is insufficient to cause harm. Studies are showing that even small amounts of these toxins can have serious effects. So, think twice before you add that dryer sheet or liquid fabric softener to your laundry, particularly for children whose developing brains are more vulnerable to the effects of toxins.

Read about effective natural options to use in place of harmful chemical-laden fabric softeners.

Adapted from The Brain Wash by Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM (John Wiley & Sons)

If you missed my article on The Toxic Effects of Perfume, be sure to check it out. And, if you want to give your liver a boost to help it detoxify these toxic chemicals, check out my article, Spring Cleanse Your Liver.

Michelle Schoffro Cook, BSc, RNCP, ROHP, DNM

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michelle R.

1:51AM PDT on Oct 3, 2011

Thanks! I knew they weren't good for you, but I didn't know quite how bad they really are.

send a green star

Dany S.

1:45AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Manuela B.

2:58PM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Well i'm sure happy i use vinigar, it softens and de deo ... makes things smell nice....:)

Norma V.

11:25PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

I like the idea of baking soda and vinegar...

James F.

9:10PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

The laundry soap is awesome but the real story is the softener and dryer sheets. Please let me know if you want to here more after reading about Melapower and Melasoft.. jimfrazer777@yahoo.com . Please read.

MelaSoft dryer sheets make a big difference in how your laundry feels and smells as it comes out of the dryer. It’s a difference you and your family will be eager to enjoy all day long. It’s the dryer sheet with no worries—made with biodegradable softeners and fragrant essential oils to soften and freshen fabrics. You’ll love how MelaSoft reduces static cling too—no more pants or skirts clinging to your legs. Convenient MelaSoft dryer sheets make your life more comfortable and enjoyable every day.
There are no chemicals and again its biodegradable. 25 years of green before green was a thing. Really. Ley me know if you want to hear more.

9:03PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Carol and other I have to say that all of your ideas are good however you are throwing extras in to help the bad product you are using. With its proprietary Rinse Guard formula, MelaPower 6x laundry deturgent keeps dirt away from clothes until it’s rinsed away, letting colors and whites stay bright and vibrant wash after wash.

Safer for Your Home

If you use caustic chemicals on your family’s clothes, they’ll wear out sooner. MelaPower 6x uses no caustic chemicals. Instead, the naturally derived MelaPower 6x formula is pH-neutral and as gentle on clothes as tap water. Use MelaPower 6x on any machine-washable fabrics.

Saves You Plenty of Money

With more loads per bottle than 2x Ultra Tide, MelaPower 6x can save you up to $53 over buying one of the most well-known national brands.† What’s more, because MelaPower 6x works in cold water, you save even more in energy costs.

Saves Plenty of Plastic

If every Melaleuca customer in North America switched to MelaPower 6x, we could save about 1.2 million pounds of plastic each year—that’s the equivalent of 800 million laundry baskets.

Reusable and Recyclable

Thanks to its ultra-concentrated formula and smaller bottle size, MelaPower 6x simply means you’ll use less plastic. For example, our reusable drain-back caps and pumps only measure out ½ fl. oz. at a time. Compare that to the larger, disposable cap for Tide® laundry detergent, sized to dole out 1.5 to 2 f

Carol B.

7:54PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

I agree with Karlolina about vinegar. Not only does it soften, but it deodorizes and helps remove some of the soap that may remain in clothes after the rinses.

Sheri P.

11:05PM PDT on Sep 15, 2011

I grew up using Bounce dryer sheets. Then I switched to liquid Downy...loved the smell of it! Then realized it wasn't good stuff so I switched to something organic (Ecover). Finally read something on here about using baking soda as fabric softener...I'm hooked! It's economical and works great! I love it! I will never go back to the conventional stuff...

Past Member .

9:14PM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

cool, then i guess my mom should be thanking me for losing the pack of dryer sheets.

Amanda K.

2:55PM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

thank you