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Are fabric softeners really harmful to health?

2024-11-09 18:35:00, Shëndeti CNA

Fabric softeners came into widespread use in the mid-1900s because detergents were too harsh on clothes and this was a way to soften them.

They continue to be widely used today even though with the development of technology they are no longer necessary.

Reasons why softeners do more harm than good.

Their function

Fabric softeners usually come in 2 forms: liquid or in sheet form used in clothes dryers.

They are designed to prevent static, help with wrinkles, add more fragrance and make materials softer.

This is achieved by coating the fabric with a thin layer which prevents all the properties mentioned above.

Why are they bad for your clothes?

You may have noticed on some clothing labels, which warn not to use fabric softener.

For example, sportswear is designed to wick moisture away from your skin so it can evaporate.

But if you wash them with fabric softener, it will coat the clothes with a thin film that will block their ability to absorb moisture.

Over time it will be even more difficult for water and detergent to penetrate the fabric.

And so bad smells and stains will be even more difficult to remove.

So one reason why your workout clothes may still have an unpleasant smell even after washing is from using fabric softener.

This problem can also occur with towels, which must absorb a lot of moisture, as well as sheets or underwear that are supposed to absorb sweat.

Also, liquid fabric softeners can stain your clothes. They can occasionally leave stains, and over time the build-up of the layer he wears can cause yellowing of the white pieces.

Finally, they can leave residue in the washing machine and damage it.

On the other hand, there is a chance that fabric softener residue will still end up in the clothes even if you no longer use it.

They are not safe for both you and the environment

One of the biggest problems is that they contain a mixture of natural or synthetic substances that give them their characteristic aroma.

There is a possibility that these mixtures contain allergens and toxic, carcinogenic or neurotoxic compounds.

A key ingredient many of these products contain, which dispel electricity, can cause skin and respiratory irritation.

Transparency is a separate issue with cleaning products in general.

In some countries such as Canada and the United States, the ingredients of cleaning products do not have to be fully disclosed, so what they contain remains a mystery.

They are also very harmful to nature, as they do not biodegrade easily. They can be toxic to aquatic organisms such as fish and algae.

Some alternatives you might consider

Allow the clothes to air dry. This helps to reduce electrification, save more energy and increase the life of your clothes.

Such an old method but offers less wear, less color fading and heat shrinkage.

Another option is to add a quarter or half cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle as a natural softener. But first make sure you don't use bleach./ AgroWeb