Are you addicted to dryer sheets?
Everyone loves that fresh dryer smell on their clothes- right? Sorry to burst your bubble but dryer sheets are one of THE most toxic things in your house. Say what?
So here's the deal…don't pick up a box of dryer sheets or fabric softener and expect to see a list of ingredients like you would a box of cereal. That is because there are no laws in place which require the manufacturers of these products to list all the chemicals used.- Healthylivinghowto
According to the author of The Brain Wash, here are the seven most common chemicals found in dryer sheets and their effect on the central nervous system:
1. Alpha-Terpineol causes central nervous system disorders. Can also cause loss of muscular coordination, central nervous system depression, and headache.
2. Benzyl Alcohol causes central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, central nervous system depression, and, in severe cases, death.
3. Camphor on the US EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Central nervous system stimulant, causes dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles, and convulsions.
4. Chloroform on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Neurotoxic and carcinogenic.
5. Ethyl Acetate on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list. Narcotic. May cause headaches and narcosis (stupor).
6. Linalool causes central nervous system disorders. Narcotic. In studies of animals, it caused ataxic gait (loss of muscular coordination), reduced spontaneous motor activity, and depression.
7. Pentane causes headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapours causes central nervous system depression.
Another big one is Quaternary ammonium, that "soft" feeling on your clothes after they come out of the dryer. "Quats" have been known to trigger asthma and be harmful to your reproductive system... where do you think those chemicals on your underpants are going?
“When people use dryer sheets, they are coating their clothes with a thin film of artificial chemical perfumes. Just like other perfumes, a person’s sensitivity to these perfumes decreases over time to the point where they don’t even notice how potent these artificial fragrance chemicals are. None of this would be interesting if it weren’t for the fact that these fragrance chemicals are extremely toxic. They are known carcinogens. They cause liver damage and cancer in mammals.” Mike Adams
When you use those toxic products to clean your clothes you are literally rubbing those chemicals directly onto your skin. You wear your clothes all day and they are in direct contact with your largest organ- your skin! You are absorbing all that crap, all day long. Not only are your poisoning yourself, but polluting the air in your home and the environment around you.
Um. NO thanks! Luckily I have a great DIY for you! Homemade dryer sheets!
1. Cut up an old cotton shirt into 5inchX5inch squares
2. Put the fabric into a glass jar and fill with vinegar (soften clothes, prevent cling, freshen clothes)
3. Add 5 drops Lavender essential oil (fresh & calming), 5 drops Purification essential oil (disinfects, combats odours)
4. Put a lid on and you’re done! Throw a square or two into your dryer load. Put the dried cloth back into the jar after your load is done for next time! Reuse until all the vinegar solution is gone.
Easy & saving your skin from some nasty stuff- WHILE saving $$.
Don't have the best essential oils in the world? Order HERE!
It's the little things that do big damage- start off with switching out your dryer sheets on your journey to a more natural lifestyle.