While doing a load of laundry you may be thinking about the effect that detergents and dryer sheets have on your clothes, but what about that warm exhaust air that wafts out the vent? Well, a new study from the University of Washington unveils that the sweet-smelling fragrance can actually contain harmful toxins.
In a recent study conducted by UW professor Dr. Anne Steinemann, a research team conducted a small study to understand the effects of fragrances in laundry products (both detergent and dryer sheets). The results found more than 25 VOCs emitted from dryer vents, with highest concentrations of acetaldehyde, acetone, and ethanol (two of which are considered carcinogenic). To put it in context, one of the carcinogenic VOC's, acetaldehyde, had emissions that would represent 3% of total acetaldehyde emissions from automobiles in the study area. That might not seem like a lot, but given how commonplace they are in homes, the findings are significant.
Steinemann states, "this is an interesting source of pollution because emissions from dryer vents are essentially unregulated. 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."
The trouble with household products is that companies are not required to list any or all ingredients, making it difficult to decipher how harmful they might be.
The solution? Try using unscented detergent and dryer sheets, or as many Re-Nest readers would advise, skip the dryer sheets altogether!
Read More: Chemical Emissions from Residential Dryer Vents During Use of Fragranced Laundry Products from the University of Washington
(Image: Lauren Zerbey | Re-Nest)
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I'm glad somebody finally did a study on this. I've always suspected as much.
And yes--don't use any dryer sheets at all! Even the unscented ones contain harmful chemicals and are unnecessary!
Vinegar and/or baking soda in the washer and a ball of aluminum foil (reusable) in the dryer will help prevent static and make clothes softer.
I've been thinking about making some felted wool dryer balls. This may be the push I need.
This is why I use dryer balls...
My friend has such extreme chemical sensitivities that she was hospitalized for several months and nearly lost a pregnancy. Her doctor's orders? Move out of the city and away from chemicals (which she did). And, one of her absolute WORST reactions is to the hot air from dryer vents with the dryer sheet smell.
I used to use unscented dryer sheets because I can't stand the perfume-y smell that lingers afterward. A few years ago I gave them up completely. I found no difference. There is no static in my laundry and my clothes are just as soft. (I use only soapnuts and the occasional oxygen cleaner; I don't use any softener.) If you think you *need* dryer sheets for softness or static control, try going a few weeks without it. You may not have the same results I did but you might find you don't need them at all.
It scares me that as a kid I used to adore that smell... Fortunately I haven't used dryer sheets for years now. I put vinegar in my rinse cycle and it helps so much to soften and eliminate static! I also like the Static Eliminator reusable dryer sheets, they're awesome at collecting pet hair and lint too. I tried dryer balls but wasn't really impressed; I hear you need 6-8 rather than 2 to get the most benefit.
My husband is adamant that his clothes be dried with dryer sheets for the scent (we both have quirks about clothing smells after a stint in Iraq).
Does anyone have all-natural ideas for scents in the dryer?
In spring, I bought a 1950s house with a washer, but no dryer. While I am having one installed, I really only put towels in the dryer. Nearly everything else gets hung up or goes on the line in the summer. I have a new-found appreciation for smooth, line-dried sheets and super white whites (thanks to the sun). The aluminum foil sounds interesting -I'll give that a shot for the towel static though!
@bramasoleiowa - If the sent is important, try using a sachet of herbs, such as lavendar or mint instead of a dryer sheet.
we can't use scented ANYTHING. husband gets rashes and i get rashes and/or urinary tract infections. first thing the urologist told me was to cut out anything scented, especially detergent and dryer sheets. as for using something in the dryer, old tennisballs (i use 2) work really well to keep things separated and moving around. i think i saw it in readymade ages ago. it works well.