Dryer sheets and why old socks are safer
The Western world appears to be having a love affair with artificial synthetic fragrance and products that contain it.
The amount of fragrance that goes into the average
modern household is absolutely astounding. So much so that we now
have a distorted perception of what 'clean' and 'fresh' smells
like. It's found in all sorts of products but one of the most
common is dryer sheets. Dryer sheets are absolutely loaded with
synthetic fragrance. In fact, they serve more of a function of
perfume sheets than any other practical function in the dryer.
When people use dryer sheets, they are coating their cloths with a thin film of synthetic chemical perfume. Just like other perfumes, a person's sensitivity to these perfumes decreases over time to the point where they don't even notice how potent these synthetic fragrance chemicals are.
Dryer sheets contain fragrances and according to Pat Thomas, Editor of The Ecologist "Perfumes will be derived from petrochemicals and contain the same neurotoxins, carcinogens and allergens found in all perfumes."
None of this would be interesting if it weren't for the fact that these synthetic fragrance chemical are extremely toxic chemicals. Many are known carcinogens. They cause liver damage and cancer in mammals. In fact, the only way they are approved for use in consumer products is that there is an underlying, but false assumption by the FDA and other regulator agencies that personal care products such as; shampoo, deodorants, creams, laundry detergents, and soaps, don't pose a health risk because their chemical ingredients are not absorbed through the skin.
In other words, there is a much lower threshold of danger assumed with cosmetic products versus foods and beverages. It is assumed that chemicals put on the skin don't necessarily penetrate the skin. This assumption is incorrect, however. Listen to our talk on personal care products and skin penetration.
A home-made, cost effective solution to dryer sheets!
A simple way to help dry clothes with less heat and energy, reduce wrinkling and reduce static for those times when one has a small mixed fabric load is to make home made woollen dryer balls.
Simply take an old pair of woollen socks, cut the part above the ankle into rings and then strips. Stuff the strips into the foot/ toe pocket of the sock and then stitch closed with wool or strong cotton thread. The effect of dryer balls tumbling around speeds up the drying process, reduces wrinkles and prevents static. As a side bonus you are getting one more use out of those socks that are a little bit thin to wear. This also works with the 'odd' sock that you have after the washing machine ate the other part of the pair!
So let's go back to the way our grandmothers did their washing - properly. Enjoy the fact that we have energy efficient appliances and take advantage of the functions they offer. Use a synthetic fragrance free laundry detergent (still check it for other environmentally damaging chemicals as well), get an airing rack (or two) and plan the washing so that clothes have time to dry naturally, preferably with the aid of sunlight and fresh air, before you need them again.
A website that has more on synthetic fragrances and their incideous nature is Clean Real Air's blog
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