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Okay, I can see that dryer sheets are a perfect example of consumer over-indulgence, but is there an aspect of what they consist of that does a good deal of damage to the environment?

2007-10-03 12:24:17 · 7 answers · asked by Andy 5 in Environment Other - Environment

I agree on the line drying and do so whenever possible.

Still, I have heard repeatedly that dryer sheets are very, very, very bad for the environment. Is it the chemical make-up that is the big issue? Is it something going into the air via the vent thanks to the sheets?

2007-10-03 13:24:17 · update #1

7 answers

Hi Andy,

So I'll have to be honest, I like to consider myself a pretty knowledgeable guy when it comes to the environment/environmentalism etc... But, I've never heard of dryer sheets being bad for the environment, more along the lines of bad for living things in general.

I've always known that there were nasty petroleum based chemicles in sheets but until doing some research I had no idea there were so many. I was a bit taken back when I saw the following list:

# Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer
# Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant
# Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
# A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
# Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
# Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
# Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
# Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders

So I suppose your initial hypothesis of allowing these chemicals into the air might be the problem but was not able to find any real documentation on the subject.

Have a good evening!

-JL

2007-10-03 14:31:02 · answer #1 · answered by JL 2 · 4 0

Not everyone has sun and dry weather, so what am I to do about attracting lint to everything when I don't use dryer sheets. On the list of bad stuff, there are chemicals that I wouldn't want one in a billion in my food or body, any on your list I should be that concerned with. There are foods we eat everyday that have toxic cancer causing chemicals but the quantities are so small they are not considered dangerous.

2007-10-03 22:28:39 · answer #2 · answered by paul 7 · 0 0

More concerned about the dryer, than the sheets. Line drying is much cheaper, much friendlier and smells so much better too. You don't need dryer sheets or chemical detergents or softners if you wash with bicarbonate of soda and salt, then add vinegar as a softner, line drying is best.

2007-10-03 20:15:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4 0

Line drying is best. If you want sofness then add vinegar to the rinse or tumble them without heat for a bit.

Do you know how many chemicals are in fabric softener sheets besides what a waste they are!

2007-10-03 20:17:50 · answer #4 · answered by Deborah S 5 · 1 0

Let's find out if the deleterious effects mentioned can only result from INGESTION of each those chemicals versus mere inhaling or skin contact.

2014-08-22 10:52:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

never heard they were bad.
smell better to sun dry them outside anyway.

2007-10-03 20:32:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Who knows ? Its all B.S. ! Everything destroys the earth , except of course celebritys egos !

2007-10-03 19:28:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

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