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Ask the Beauty Brains: Are Dryer Sheets Toxic to the Skin?

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    • CommentAuthorNiki
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2009
     
    Is it true that dryer sheets contain known carcinogens and are toxic? If so, can enough of the toxic chemicals make their way onto our skin from clothing, towels, etc.and cause harm? I smell some scare tactics.
    • CommentAuthorAnne
    • CommentTimeAug 12th 2009
     
    I don't know what they do to your skin, but they can damage your drier. If you use drier sheets, you should clean your filter about once a month. Try this, and you'll see why. Take your filter, remove the lint, then place it under running water. The water will sit on the top. Now wash the filter and see how the water will run right through the filter. The residue from the sheets not only block the water, but airflow,making your drier work much harder to dry the clothes.
    • CommentAuthorK
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2009
     
    Wow Anne! I didn't know that!
    • CommentAuthorvananners
    • CommentTimeAug 14th 2009
     
    I am pretty sure that dryer sheets do not contain anything carcinogenic but what doesn't anymore anyway?

    The thing I DO know about dryer sheets is that you shouldn't use them when drying your bed linens and towels. The 'film' that Anne describes above has the possibility of clogging the pores of your skin and contributing to acne. This is especially critical with pillowcases and towels.
  5.  

    It always amuses me that commercials for fabric softener of any variety always feature stacks of plush, neatly folded towels. Nothing will turn your towels into limp, non-absorbent rags faster than fabric softener.

    • CommentAuthorJamiSings
    • CommentTimeAug 17th 2009
     

    That's why I don't use FS for towels. I use it for jeans (it makes them fit better when they're snug) and bedding.

    The sheets are also good for deordarizing smelly books. Put a few between the pages and slip it into a ziplock bag for a couple days.

    • CommentAuthorFuzz
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     
    While it is true that too much fabric softener can "waterproof" (which is the same as making something hydrophobic) your towels and dryer filter, they can't "airproof" them. So long as the filter holes are not clogged, the air should flow through just fine. It is an issue of the surface tension of water and hydrophobic vs hydrophlic characteristics. I can elaborate with the technical stuff if you like.... but in basic terms, air doesn't care if the filter is hydrophobic - it will flow through. If your towels and linens are not absorbing water well, then 1) either you are using way too much softener and/or 2) your laundry detergent is not doing it's job.

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