Chemicals found in fabric softeners by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

[Stitch]

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No wonder these work so well as an insect repellent....

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Principal chemicals found in Fabric Softeners/Dryer Sheets are:
Symptoms of exposure are taken from industry-generated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

ALPHA-TERPINEOL
Causes CNS (central nervous system) disorders... "highly irritating to mucous membranes" ..."Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."
BENZYL ACETATE
Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."
BENZYL ALCOHOL
Causes CNS disorders ..."irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."
CAMPHOR
Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: "local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose, and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions". "Avoid inhalation of vapors."
CHLOROFORM
Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. on EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors ...Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be fatal." "Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage." "Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders." "Conditions to avoid: Heat..." Listed on California's Proposition 65.
ETHYL ACETATE
Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "...Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys". "Wash thoroughly after handling."
LIMONENE
Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."
LINALOOL
Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ..."respiratory disturbances" ..."Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ...depressed heart activity ...development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."
PENTANE
"Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash)."
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http://www.immuneweb.org/articles/fabricsoftener.html

[Applejack]

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First time I have ever heard of this. I have been using dryer sheets for years, but just for clothes in the dryer. Maybe this explains some of my problems. Something to thank about.
Aj

[Chefsimms]

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Pretty scary stuff, makes you think, we usually use liquid fabric softeners

[Applejack]

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maybe this will take care of the problem;
homemade fabric softener
this was sent to me by a distant cousin.

Ingredients:
3 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups hair conditioner (this works out to be about the size of a full bottle of suave)
8 cups hot water
Directions"
mix ingredients together and pour into a storage ontainer. (empty milk jug for no added cost). Use about 1/4 cup per load in the rinse cycle or in a downy ball.

HEADS UP
Do NOT substitute apple cider vinegar for any of these recipes. You'll end up with dingy clothes.
Do NOT use your homemade fabric softener on loads using bleach. Mixing bleach wht vinegar can produce toxic fumes. Vinegar is a natural whitener so you really don't need bleach anyway. This will save the bleach for other uses.
AJ

[wac220]

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I haven't used fabric softeners for years because I get a skin rash from them. Now I know why.

[TScott27]

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Most of the chemicals found in fabric softeners are also found in other household items like dish washing liquids or pastes, cleansers and many more. Practically everything that we use today have "bad" chemicals in them. For instance in shampoos, sodium lauryl sulfate is one bad chemical that we need to avoid, however, I've noticed that almost all of the shampoos being sold have this. (It could appear as sodium laureth sulfate) They say it's best to go for organic products, but there are also instances when the ingredients in organic products (most come from plants) irritate the skin, especially if you are sensitive to the source plants.

The homemade fabric softener by Applejack is a better alternative. It will take a bit of time to prepare, but as long as it is safe, why not?

[rabunmom]

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There was a report out last week about Anti-bacteria soaps, dish detergants, laundry detergants, ect cause muscle weakness.