Pets and Dryer Sheets
We have all enjoyed the convenience of dryer sheets at some point. Who doesn't love getting static free clothes with a pleasant scent out of the dryer? But did you know that they can have a negative impact on your pets?
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, and has been writing professionally for 20 years. She wrote and an informative article regarding this topic, found here:
She states that,
"A dryer sheet works to disperse static cling by coating fabrics with chemicals transferred from the sheet by the heat of the dryer. These same chemicals that are in high concentrations on the dryer sheets can harm your pet; especially if they chew or ingest a sheet, even a used one. Formulas vary from product to product, but your favorite fabric softener or dryer sheet may contain benzyl acetate, camphor or even chloroform. None of this is good for pets. The Merck Veterinary Manual warns that cationic detergents, which are present in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, can cause a variety of problems for animals ranging from minor skin irritation to widespread systemic distress and pulmonary edema. Kidney failure is also one of the problems that can occur after ingestion of dryer sheet chemicals."
This doesn't include the danger of blockage from ingestion as well.
"Most dryer sheets are made from non-woven synthetic materials that do not biodegrade easily. If your dog or cat, especially small or young pets, ingests these sheets, stomach and intestinal blockages can occur."
The easiest way to prevent any issues is to keep our fur-children out of the laundry room.
"Unless you are able to supervise your pet in the laundry room at all times, the laundry door or access to the machines should be always be closed and all products safely stored behind closed doors."
Mary has more tips for laundry room safety in the article. Enjoy!
