Many people will remember a famous TV ad where a woman races to her washing machine, fabric softener in hand, only to arrive just as the wash ends. This woman who “forgot to ad the fabric softener” was actually doing herself and her family a favour.

A Taylor & Francis Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Anderson laboratory study revealed that 5 common fabric softeners had airborne emissions of 6 toxic chemicals that are commonly associated with acute respiratory irritations and inflammation.

Fabric softeners are made to stay in cloth fabric for slow release over a long period of time. This slow release into the air affects those wearing the clothes and people around them. The softeners leave an oil coating on clothes; the oil builds up on fibers and reduces the absorbent properties of the fabric (repels water).

The oils leave a sticky residue on dryer components like heat sensors that result in burn out of the sensor and reduced heat production. The sticky residue also collects on the drum and moisture sensors.

The residue oils that are transferred from the fabric softeners and dryer sheets to fabrics are flammable and take away the retardant properties of baby cloths.

Read more and learn about non-toxic solutions.