Dryer Sheets -- Is There An Alternative?

Dryer sheets…What are they? How do they work? Are they safe? Is there an alternative to replace the chemically tainted sheets?

Discovery:

It is believed a scientist by the name of Conrad J. Gaiser developed the concept in the late 1960s. He and his wife Audrey lived on the top floors of a four-story duplex. The laundry room was located on the ground floor. Every time Audrey did laundry she had to run down the stairs to catch the final rinse cycle to add the fabric softener.

Liquid fabric softeners, which are commonly cationic, can’t be mixed with detergents, which are anionic, because the mixture forms a precipitate.
Fabric softeners work by coating surface of the cloth fibers with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive, thus making the fibers feel smoother and preventing buildup of static electricity Other functions are improvements of iron glide during ironing, increased resistance to stains, and reduction of wrinkling and pilling.

Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralize their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity. Vinegar works on some materials in a similar way, as the hydrogen ions bind to the anionic groups on the fibers.

How Do They Work:

Conrad for a number of years worked in the soap and laundry industry. He wanted to make his wife’s life easier. He started treating small sheets of material, probably from Audrey’s sewing kit with fabric softener.  When the sheets were put into the dryer with laundry the heat and moisture warmed up the softener and spread it across the clothing.  Later washing machine manufacturers added an automatic fabric softener dispenser. It is discovered that dryer sheets have many other uses such as warding off insects.

In 1969, Conrad received a U.S. patent for this invention,”Tumble Puffs” and shortly thereafter he sold the rights to Procter & Gamble, which then marketed the product as Bounce dryer sheets.

Are They Safe:

Anne C. Steinemann

A research conducted  in 2010 at the University Of Washington headed by Anne C. Steinemann analyzed 25 popular fragranced consumer products. One of these categories where Laundry products (detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets.)  The research showed that each product emitted at least one chemical that is listed as toxic or hazardous under federal laws. Some of the volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are classified as carcinogens with no possible safe exposure level, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The VOC’s emitted were not listed on the products tested.

Anne states that this is legal because no laws in the U.S. require disclosure of all chemicals in consumer products, or of any chemicals in a mixture called “fragrance.”

Anne compiled more in depth research in 2011 on scented laundry products emitting hazardous chemicals through dryer vents.

“This is an interesting source of pollution because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated and unmonitored,” said lead author Anne Steinemann, a UW professor of civil and environmental engineering and of public affairs. “If they’re coming out of a smokestack or tail pipe, they’re regulated, but if they’re coming out of a dryer vent, they’re not.”

“We focus a lot of attention on how to reduce emissions of pollutants from automobiles,” Steinemann said. “And here’s one source of pollutants that could be reduced.”  Steinemann recommends using laundry products without any fragrance or scent. 

Alternative To Dryer Sheets:

Felted dryer balls

Rebecca Pickering owner of Like a Fresh New Penny has Eco-Friendly Alternatives. 

Felted dryer balls are a fantastic natural, eco-friendly alternative to liquid fabric softener and dryer sheets. Rebecca says,” I no longer buy dryer sheets.” They work by separating the clothes as they circulate in the dryer, softening clothes, reducing static cling, absorbing moisture and significantly reducing drying time. Reducing drying time means saving $$ on your electric bill!

Dryer balls are perfect for cloth diapers – using fabric softener or dryer sheets with cloth diapers will cause the diapers to repel moisture and leak.

You can use dryer balls for months!! Throw them all in at once-the more the better!

2-4 for small loads
5-7 for large loads.

They are colorfast and will not bleed into your clothing.

I have been using mine for months!

Dryer balls will pill (much like a sweater will) but even if they don’t look as pretty as when you first get them they will continue to do their job just fine 

These felt balls and laundry detergent can be purchased at Timeless Home Consignment located in Clinton, CT or online at Like A Fresh New Penny.

All products made by Rebecca are in a pet friendly home.

Why wait, by making the change you will be impacting the environment and improving your air quality.

“We must be the change we want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi