Is Fabric Softener Used on Infant Clothing Safe?

Get a set of dryer balls. For less than $10, you won't need dryer sheets or fabric softener, and they last for years.

Who needs the chemicals in fabric softener or dryer sheets? It also does remove the flame retardency of clothing, especially childrens pajama's. Skip it, its not worht it. Dryer balls are zero chemicals, and they work just as well.

I don't understand why anyone would use fabric softener at all. It's easy to find lots of information about the toxic chemicals they contain and the fact that they are used in a hot Dryer and stay on the clothes means people are covering their clothes with chemicals everytime they wasH. There are lots of natural substitutes check out the web. Just because something seems normal and acceptable and everyone seems to be doing it, it doesn't mean it's safe!

You're right, built-up fabric softener residue on fabric is flammable.

Unfortunately the common flame retardant PBDE itself is so hazardous that California and Washington state and Canadian legislatures have been moving to ban its use in many applications. It will be awhile before it's not widely used, however. And it's already present in women's breast milk around the world. (Here are just a couple of sane articles on the subject: http://news.discovery.com/human/flame-retardants-infertil..., and http://www.iaff.org/Canada/Updates/IAFF_PBDE_02112007.htm ).

Fabric softeners (but reportedly not Shaklee brand) also contain an astounding list of hazardous chemicals:

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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I become very ill (breathing difficulty, headache, nervousness, confusion, sleep disorders) when exposed to fabric softeners wafting off people's clothing. This is a huge problem, obviously. For years now, I've used vinegar in my final rinse, and/or stopped the dryer while clothes are still barely damp and hung them for a few minutes. My clothes smell wonderful – just plain clean!

Have you tried without any fabric softener. I haven't used any in years and haven't missed it.

We have used Shaklee fabric softener for years and years, it is not harmful like most of the others out there. Look into it... www.shaklee.com

I actually know of a company that offers laundry detergent and fabric softener that is safe to use on children's clothes and will keep the fire retardant intact. The detergent is also supper concentrated and helps save a bundle of money! They offer products that are safe for the environment and for your family. The best part is that you shop factory direct so you save so much money! Visit http://www.gogreenwebcast.com/gagreen to request the information! All moms need this!

Dryer sheets are some of the most toxic things that we use. The chemicals are band in other countries. A friend of mine went to Mexico for cancer treatment, and when the came back they told us to stop using dryer sheets. So very bad for you! Did you know people use them to keep mice away? That's cause they mice know how bad they are!

It usually says on the care label not to use it with children's pajamas but as far as I know manufacturers do not put flame retardant on regular children's clothing, just pjs.

WOW - I was aware that they were bad for PJ's but had NO IDEA how toxic dryer sheets are. Thank you for asking the question and for all the great responses.... I'll never use them again!

Some clothing (usually pajamas and some infant clothing) will indicate that they are "flame retardant" or "flame resistant." It will state this on the clothing tag. Fabric softener will build up with use on clothing, and especially on fabrics that are flannel or fleece (pajama material), that will reduce their flame resistancy. Liquid fabric softener builds up on clothing faster than dryer sheets. When I dry p.j.s, I use a dryer sheet that I have previously used and only for last 10 minutes of dry time to reduce the build up. I also wash all of my clothing in a vinegar rinse (there are ALOT of reasons to do this), which may cut down on the build up. Going without dryer sheets at all is not an option - my house is incredibly dry and staticy.

Good luck.

I wouldn't use fabric softener on any of my family's clothing. Most of the brands have chemicals I don't want to introduce. Also, some babies are sensitive to fragrances and other additives.

If you can avoid using any fabric softener on baby clothes, you should. It will diminish the flame retardant, and baby's skin is too sensitive to it. Having lived in the desert, I know sometimes you cant get away without it, but I always washed the staticky things in a separate load from everything else to use as little as possible. Since baby clothes are so small, usually you can skip it. And they have those dryer balls now that work great on baby stuff. I always use those.

J.,
Shaklee makes safe fabric softener and dryer sheets. You can find them at http://www.shaklee.net/healthforlife
Victoria

I remember hearing that when my 20 yr old was an infant, so I did not use it on his clothing. He also had sensative skin, so I had to be careful about what I used in his laundry and if I washed his face with a wash cloth that had been dried with a fabric softener, he would break out. I also have 7 & 8 yr olds, and I did not hear anything about it when they were infants, and I did typically use fabric softener on their clothing. If you are unsure, I would suggest calling your doc office and asking their recommendation.
S.

Some clothes note that you shouldn't use it on them. Just look at the tag. I've seen alot of talk about it also how it diminishes the flame retardant but I can't find it either though I know I've read it more than once before.

I would say if anything, just don't use it for their pajamas. Everything else should be fine.