What Are The Dangers Of Fabric Softener?

Rinse aids are popular products as they make laundry soft and fresh in scents. Rinse aids are used in many homes and are readily and inexpensively available.

However, most consumers are unaware that fabric softeners are rich in harmful chemicals that can be hazardous to health – this is especially true for children.

Marketing campaigns say that fabric softeners are suitable for the whole family, but there are certain things that are not mentioned in the ads. Just like many other home cleaning products, fabric softeners often contain harmful chemicals whose effects may not be immediately apparent.

Some rinses cause respiratory problems and skin problems such as rash or itching. Rinse aid chemicals can also become allergic, with the risk of a disgusting, intense reaction.

More than half of the rinse aids on the market contain more than two harmful chemicals that are known to be hazardous to health. In this article, we will look at the composition of fabric softeners and the chemicals that are dangerous to humans. The next time you buy a fabric softener, you can research through the product label to make sure your fabric softener is not dangerous to the family.

Alpha-terpineol

This is a colorless, flammable liquid that releases a floral scent. Indeed, terpineol is often used in the perfume industry and also in rinse aids to bring a fresh scent.

However, the use of this chemical is dangerous and can cause the following problems:

• Central nervous system imbalance
• Hypothermia
• Chronic headache
• Depression and anxiety
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Irritation of mucous membranes

Benzyl acetate

This fragrance is commonly used in laundry detergents and rinse aids. Benzyl acetate has an odor similar to terpineol and is a colorless liquid.

Over the years, benzyl acetate has been found to cause, among other things:

• Increased risk of pancreatic cancer
• Eye irritation
• Breathing difficulties
• Headache

Benzyl alcohol

This colorless liquid smells pleasantly floral and is extracted from plants and flowers. In addition to lotions, it is found in essential oils such as hyacinth and jasmine.

When benzyl alcohol comes into contact with the body, it can cause:

• Central nervous system symptoms
• Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
• Poisoning and vomiting
• Headache

Ethyl acetate

This pleasant-smelling ingredient usually acts as a solvent in home cleaning products.

Adverse health effects of ethyl acetate include:

• Kidney and liver damage
• Respiratory tract infections
• Fatigue and anemia

Chloroform

Chloroform is a thick, colorless, and mildly fragrant liquid that is added to a rinse aid both as a fragrance and as a solvent.

Chloroform is a known carcinogen and its regular use can lead to serious health problems such as:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness, vomiting and nausea
• Headache
• Kidney and liver damage
• Cardiac problems
• Skin problems
• Respiratory tract infections

Terpinolene

Terpinolene is a colorless liquid that releases citrus odor. Indeed, it is commonly used in home cleaning products to give a fresh, clean scent. In addition to this, it is found in fabric softeners, soap and other commonly used household products.

Terpinolene is known to be a carcinogen that can increase the presence of malignant cells in the kidneys and bladder. In addition, terpinolene is known to cause:

• Eye irritation
• Skin problems
• Sore throat
• Inflammation of the nasal cavities

Often, fabric softeners and other products contain very little of the products mentioned in this article. When a person is slowly exposed to the substances, no severe symptoms of poisoning occur, but in the long run, sensitization increases and adverse health effects can occur. 

If the products are used from time to time, they may not be a major drawback. However, when used daily and for years, these harmful chemicals accumulate in the body.

To avoid these health risks, it is advisable to switch to using natural alternatives such as apple cider vinegar and baking soda. These ingredients keep the laundry soft and fresh without risk to health. Rinse aid is not a mandatory ingredient in laundry, and laundry can also be washed with detergent alone. Prefer unscented, natural detergents.