New Series | What's in your: fabric softener

We're all accustomed to reading the labels on our food. We strive to avoid high fructose corn syrup, and wrinkle our noses at the words "hydrogenated" or "modified".  But have you checked out the labels on your cleaning products? More so, are you reading the warnings attached to those cleaning products?  

In this new series, my hope is to make you aware of toxins that are in some of the bottles and sprays you may have locked under your sink. Sure, we lock these up to prevent major consumption by our toddlers. But you might be surprised to learn that after common usage, a lemon scent isn't the only thing these cleaners are leaving behind.

Bounce Dryer Sheets: Outdoor Fresh

Most people I know love the smell of clothes fresh out of a dryer. To me, it is second only to clothes straight off a clothes line. So imagine my disappointment when I decided to research what was actually in my current fabric softener sheets. A study was done in December 2010 by Kansas State University and the University of Illinois department of entomology, to determine the validity of an urban "myth"- that fabric softener sheets can be used as insect repellent. They proceeded to steam a single Bounce "Outdoor Fresh" Dryer sheet, and revealed the following list of questionable ingredients:

(Sorted from highest concentration to lowest)

• Linalool - In studies, this chemical caused loss of muscle coordination, nervous system and brain disorders and depression
• Benzyl Acetate - An industrial strength solvent that has been linked to cancer of the pancreas
• Beta-Citronella - a chemical perfume that is used to repel insects
• Hedione - a chemical perfume that is toxic to insects

But not all dryer sheets are made equal. Here are some other common toxins found in fabric softeners, including sheets, liquid and bar forms.

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

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

• 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)

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

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

• Pentane – causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, and depression

After my research, all I could think about was the amount of laundering I do to my children's clothes, mainly the cloths I used to wipe their faces and give them baths with. I envisioned the amount of harmful chemicals I was introducing into their delicate little bodies. No more! There is an all-natural solution. In fact, this solution not only protects your family, but it protects the environment and your pocketbook. My suggestion is to invest in some reusable dryer balls. They can be found anywhere. I even offer them in my store. They remove static, they soften your clothes, and even yield quicker drying times. All the while you will sleep easier, knowing you have taken one more step to protect your family.

Sources:
Schoffro Cook, Michelle. "8 Toxins Lurking in Your Fabric Softener". Healthy & Green Living. July 29, 2010. Web. April 10, 2011. <http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-toxins-lurking-in-your-fabric-softener.html>
Scoggins, Holly. "Bounce- It's not just a fabric softening sheet". The Garden Professors. January 4, 2011. Web. April 10, 2011. <https://sharepoint.cahnrs.wsu.edu/blogs/urbanhort/archive/2011/01/04/bounce-%E2%80%93-it%E2%80%99s-not-just-a-fabric-softening-sheet-.aspx>