The words, Fabric Softener sounds so soothing, as a matter of fact, it sounds like something that each and every one of us would want next to their skin.  Certainly, we want  nothing scratchy on our babies.  Only soft will do for our precious little ones.  Yet have you noticed the increased of ADD, ADHD, asthma,  and even autism in our wee ones?

 Recently, I was made aware that there are some pediatricians, allergists, and general physicians who are finding it necessary to put signs in their office which read as follows:

ATTENTION: “please refrain from using fragrances, FABRIC SOFTENERS, or smoking before coming to our office, we are finding that chemically sensitive individuals are having difficulty breathing in such an ENVIRONMENT” 

 Let’s just focus on Fabric softeners for the time being as they are certainly the most used and according to the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health  and perhaps the most offensive.  Here is what is in everyday fabric softeners:  toluene, trimehtylbenzene, styrene ( which are neurotoxins  - that means toxic to the brain)) as well as phenols and xylene.  Still sound soothing? Still wondering why so many more Americans are developing diseases which we think are out of “no where”…  ie:no family history

If you use conventional fabric softeners in your wash, this alphabet soup of toxicity is all over your body.  There is a party going on in your pants, and your shirt, and your nightgown, and your baby’s pajamas.

Here is a quick list of other chemicals found in fabric softeners: a-terpineol ( irritates muccous membranes and causes central nervous system damage) benzyl acetate(eye and respiratory irritant);benzyl alcohol ( can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, respiratory irritation, and a drop in blood pressure): camphor ( is on the EPA’s hazardous waste list; ethyl acetate ( eye and lung irritant and a narcotic); limonene ( irritant, sensitizer); linalool ( central nervous system effects); and pentane ( eye and skin irritant and may cause headache, vomiting, dizziness, or loss of consciousness)1

There is another problem with Fabric Softeners.  They are designed to stay in the fabrics… Which means that they are being released into the air you  ( and your child/children) breathe and onto your skin as you wear your own clothes.  The liquid softeners toxicity is one part of the problem, the dryer sheets have their own set  of issues.  They are made from synthetic fabric and/or polyurethane foam, which means they’re biodegradable, so they fill up land fills and they contain the same harmful  ingredients that the liquid softeners contain.  These pollutants are yet one more reason why our indoor environment is far worse than the outdoor air.

You can add ¼ c baking soda to the wash cycle  or ¼ cup of vinegar will soften clothes as well. Dry synthetic and natural fiber clothes separately or go to my eco-logicalnews.com and click on the link to learn what I use

1Allergy and Environmental Health Assoc. ( Canada).  “Health Risks of Fabric Softeners”  aeha.ca/help-with.htm.