The Dangers of Dryer Softening Sheets

Recently I posted an article about all the great uses we can get from our dryer sheets, other than softening and reducing static cling in our clothes. However, they "can" be harmful for the very use that they were intended.

Dryer sheets are covered with a waxy material that holds the lovely fragrance, as well as the softening agent that actually prevents static cling, helping to repel lint and hair from sticking to clothes. Have you noticed that after one use, most of that waxy material has disappeared from the sheet (very rarely can you reuse these dryer sheets)? Unfortunately, it not only has broken down by the heat of the dryer and penetrated your clothing, but it has also been sent straight to the lint filter on your dryer, clinging to that as well.

Over time, with the use of many dryer sheets, this waxy film can actually encase the mesh of your lint filter, causing your dryer to over work and eventually burn the heating element out.

This in fact happened to me and I wondered why my dryer didn't last very long. I think I can now attribute much of the reason being to the use of dryer sheets and not knowing about the harm they could do to a clothes dryer.

We often remember to clean the lint from the filter, but we never really think to actually give the filter a good cleaning to get rid of that filmy residue (as it really can't be seen).

Test Your Filter

Try this test with your dryer lint filter. Run it under hot or warm water. Does the water just sit there on the mesh, creating little puddles on your filter? If so, you in fact have a buildup of waxy residue from the dryer sheets.

The more you use your dryer, and those handy little dryer sheets, the better likelyhood that you are causing your dryer to overwork itself. Eventually it can burn out the heating unit, and even cause a fire.

Cleaning Your Dryer Filter

You can still use dryer sheets, as they are very convenient, but it's a good idea to periodically (once or twice a year) clean your dryer's lint filter with a bit of soap and warm water. Use a utility or old tooth brush to really get into the mesh, scrubbing off that filmy residue. Then rinse the filter well to get the soap off.

This will help to keep your dryer working more efficiently, prevent the heating element from burning out, as well as helping to keep your electric bill down. If your dryer is working more efficiently, it will not use up as much electricity. This will also help to make the life of your dryer last twice as long.

I wish I had known this years ago. I could have saved myself the cost of a couple of dryers over the years.

Another Dryer Sheet Caution

How many of us actually read the packaging when we purchase a product, especially one we use almost every day. As with dryer sheets, we all know how to use them, no need to read the instructions or packaging. You just toss one in with your laundry and voila, your clothes will come out soft and static free.

While writing this article, I thought maybe I should read the packaging for the first time and lo and behold, yet another cautionary lesson has just been learned. If the readers are much like me, you might not have noticed this information yourselves, so I will add it here as well.

As stated on the box, do NOT use dryer sheets with children's "flame resistant" sleepwear. Most sleepwear for children today has now been treated with a flame retardant material, for their safety in case of fire. However, dryer sheets can reduce the efficiency of this flame resistant material, possibly even causing them to be even MORE flamable instead of less.

While conducting my own test, I discovered that these dryer sheets are EXTREMELY FLAMABLE. I can't say whether it was the sheet itself, or with the help of the softening agent that is added, but it went up in fire like a Roman candle and burnt to nothing in a matter of seconds! Therefore, I would definitely heed the caution on the package of not using these sheets with children's sleepwear.

If you happen to use liquid fabric softener instead, I would check the label on that as well. My guess is that any softening agent might adhere to the sleepwear, thus reducing its resistance to flames.