About this episode
Story at-a-glance Fabric softeners and dryer sheets release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor air and laundry, exposing your lungs and skin to hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals Chemicals like benzene, acetaldehyde, quaternary ammonium compounds, and synthetic musks are common in scented laundry products and have been linked to asthma, migraines, reproductive harm, and nervous system damage These toxic substances don't wash away; instead, they cling to your clothes, build up inside your washer and dryer, and continue releasing harmful vapors long after the laundry is done Vague ingredient labels allow manufacturers to hide thousands of chemicals under terms like "fragrance," leaving you unknowingly exposed to compounds that accumulate in your body and the environment Safer, nontoxic alternatives like wool dryer balls, vinegar rinses, and DIY fabric softener recipes offer the same softness and freshness without compromising your health or polluting your home and the environment