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| posted Aug 13, 2007 11:44:36 AM | To All |
Amy Stodghill of Greenoptions recommends skipping the dryer sheets the next time you wash your clothes. She says you're coating your clothes with chemicals like benzyl acetate, camphor, limonene, and chloroform.
Yikes! Instead of dryer sheets, she suggests these alternatives:
- Add white vinegar to the wash cycle or baking soda to the rinse cycle (but if you use vinegar, don't also use bleach as this can be a toxic combo).
- Opt out of the dryer and hang dry your garments on clothes lines or drying racks. Or dry your clothes until they are lightly damp, then hang to dry.
- Make your own or purchase lavender sachets to throw in the dryer.
- Buy eco-friendly laundry detergents, fabric softeners and dyer sheets, such as Seventh Generation.
If you take these steps, you can avoid having to risk exposure to toxins when doing your laundry.
I'm not so sure about using white vinegar...sounds kind of iffy to me. If any of you have tried that or any other ways to remove static, please let me know. I'm curious to see what else people have come up with. I've always hated the dryer sheets.Edited by: GranolaJoe on Aug 13, 2007 11:45:10 AM |
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| posted Aug 15, 2007 4:52:19 PM | To All |
I haven't bought or used dryer sheets for about 3 years.
I use these two products together in the dryer — and reuse them over and over and over.
Dryer Balls http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/06-0598
Static Eliminator http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/06-0531
They work like a dream. No static, no lint.
Saves a lot of money and we're not putting thousands of dryer sheets in the landfill every year.
Most of our laundry comes out plenty soft without fabric softeners. I use Seventh Generation or Earth Friendly laundry detergents. When I wash the sheets, towels or other items that need help in the softness dept., I add Seventh Gen fabric softener in a Downy Ball (which opens only in the rinse cycle, so you don't have to babysit the washer). |
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| posted Aug 22, 2007 11:52:19 AM | To All |
| I also hate dryer sheets. Iam sensitive to chemicals, so when my neighbors run their dryers, the smell makes me sick. Kudos to you for bringing up this topic! I use nothing and my clothes come out static-free. |
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| posted Aug 22, 2007 11:57:13 AM | To All |
On Aug 22, 2007 11:52:19 AM earthlady wrote:
I also hate dryer sheets. Iam sensitive to chemicals, so when my neighbors run their dryers, the smell makes me sick. Kudos to you for bringing up this topic! I use nothing and my clothes come out static-free.
Glad you like the discussion!
Also, I wish I could get away with no static, but I've found that the dryers in my apartment building do make my clothes have it  |
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| posted Jul 10, 2008 7:08:47 AM | To All |
Sometimes I find that if I don't overdry my clothes, that helps with the static. I can't stand getting shocked like that when I take out the clothes! LOL Of course, I get shocked everytime I get out of my car too.
I only use the dryer balls now, but do add some vinegar at times and find that helps whiten and soften. I also add about 5 drops of Tea tree essential oil after I've added the soap, it helps keep things smelling fresh. |
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| posted Aug 17, 2008 12:34:06 PM | To All |
Great ideas, however, I would like to mention a health issue and perspective from the pre washer and dryer era.
Years ago I was thrilled with the invention of dryers. Here is why. I have pollen allergies and line drying accumulated pollen debris that worsened by symptoms.
Your ideas are great but I would watch out if family members have pollen allergies, Those fresh smelling, line dried sheets may complicate pollen allergies.
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| posted Aug 29, 2008 10:22:39 PM | To All |
| I read somewhere recently that dryer sheets may clog the dryer vent, possibly causing them to over heat? A safety issue perhaps? |
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| posted Aug 31, 2008 7:22:26 PM | To All |
| I too can't hang mine out because of this. I still have a clothesline for things like rugs and towels from playing in the sprinkler, but I don't hang our clothes out anymore. I also wanted to comment on a product that I use that seems to be a little controversial among "green" persons. The dryer balls. Most won't use them because they are made out of PVC. I bought a pack of two and one of them split open within a month, but I still use the other one. I also made my own lavender sachets and used them one winter, but they can be fire hazard too if they get too dried out. I still get comments from people that my clothes have a slight lavender scent to them and they love it. |
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Edited by: chinchillables on Sep 13, 2008 12:00:59 PM
