Complete with Vignette: Culprit #1

Cherry Choco Chip!

No, ice cream is not the culprit (well, maybe in another sense it is. But not here!).

The culprit to which I refer is an unlikely one. It is a ruthless product on the market, out to seduce the public with its delightful scents and quilted textures. It is widely used, but rarely critiqued. Readily available in stores, but seldom complete with fragrance information. It may very well be tucked away in your laundry nook at home, ready to strike once again.

It is...

DUM DUM DUMMM...

dryer sheets.

Yes, the seemingly innocuous dryer sheet is not as innocent as it might first appear. Remember how the word "fragrance" is relatively unregulated in the market? Our well-loved dryer sheets are no exception.

What makes dryer sheets of particular concern is that they deposit fragrance chemicals directly onto fabrics, which then lie directly against your skin (possibly all over your body, depending on your attire) for hours on end. And because dryer sheets are intended to leave clothes smelling flowery fresh for many hours, these chemicals may be of particular strength and longevity. Some dryer sheets can be contaminated with carcinogenic chemicals and hormone disruptors. This can cause irritation for sensitive skin and other problems, particularly over the long-term.

So what's a consumer to do?

I would recommend one of two things:

Option #1: Skip the dryer sheets altogether. This is my preference, and I feel secure knowing that my body isn't in long-term contact with unknown "fragrances."

Option #2: Try an all-natural brand of dryer sheets. These usually contain no harsh chemicals, do contain LABELED fragrance if desired (usually from much safer essential oils), and are biodegradable. Check out Mountain Green (~$7, mountaingreen.biz) and Seventh Generation (~$5, seventhgeneration.com).

Leave comments below! Do you use dryer sheets?