I just learned that fabric softener (which I don’t use) has many toxic chemicals in it. Here is a list of just some of the chemicals found in fabric softeners and dryer sheets:
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
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems
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
Pentane: a chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
So how could products with pretty names like Soft Ocean Mist, Summer
Orchard and April Fresh be so dangerous?
The chemicals in fabric softeners are pungent and strong smelling–so
strong that they require the use of these heavy fragrances (think 50
times as much fragrance) just to cover up the smells!!!
Fabric softeners are made to stay in your clothing for long periods of
time. As such, chemicals are slowly released either into the air for
you to inhale or onto your skin for you to absorb.
Dryer sheets are particularly noxious because they are heated in the dryer and the
chemicals are released through dryer vents and out into the
environment. Health effects of fabric softener use include headaches,
nausea, dizziness, irritation of skin, mucus membranes and respiratory
tract.
Here are some effective alternatives: Static Eliminator.
We also recommend T-Wave Laundry Capsules .
I have used all these products with great success.
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