How dangerous are those dryer sheets?

The toxins in your dryer sheets could be causing health problems for you and your family. Do you know what is in dryer sheets?

*Benzyl Acetate - linked to pancreatic cancer
*Benzyl Alcohol - upper respiratory tract irritant
*Ethanol - can cause central nervous system disorders
*A-Terpineol - can cause respiratory problems including fatal edema, & central nervous system damage
*Ethyl Acetate - a narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste List
*Camphor - causes central nervous system disorders
*Chloroform - neurotoxin, anesthetic, and carcinogen
*Linalool - a narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
*Pentane - a chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

So what can you use instead of dryer sheets to soften your clothes? You can make your own dryer sheets by placing a teaspoon of natural, fragrance-free hair conditioner on a cotton cloth. Or soften your clothes while in the washer by adding a small amount of baking soda to the wash water. You can also replace your laundry detergent with a fragrance-free, chemical free laundry soap. Solay has an all-natural laundry soap that contains a soy-based fabric softener. If you're interested in checking out their line of cleaning products, click on the Solay link on the right, and then select "Home Cleaners."


The information on dryer sheets was provided by Natural News. If you want more information on other natural cleaners, such as dish soap and air fresheners, CLICK HERE.

Clean your home without chemicals

Many of our home cleaning products contain dangerous petroleum based chemicals. Even if you're label savy, manufactures don't have to list the chemicals contained in their "secret formulas." When used inside our homes, these chemicals build up and contaminate the air we breathe, at the very least causing allergies and respiratory distress. The use of antibacterial soaps and cleaners is unnecessary as plain old soap kills these same germs.

If you're concerned as I am about the dangerous effects that modern cleaning products can have on your health, you'll find the article written by Dr. Mercola very useful. It provides helpful information on how to use common household products like vinegar, baking soda, borax, hydrogen peroxide, etc for all your cleaning needs around the house.

Here is the link to Dr. Mercola's article, How to keep your home clean naturally.

If you prefer the convenience of ready made natural cleaners, Solay Wellness offers a complete line of home cleaning products such as a multi- purpose cleaner, laundry liquid, dishwashing liquid, and a fruit and vegetable wash. Here's more information on their products. (for the cleaning products, click on the highlighted words below, then select "Natural Home", then the "cleaners" tab)

Solay Simple Cleaning Products

Conventional cleaning products might be affective in killing germs on your hardwood floors or your kitchen counters, but they leave behind dangerous chemicals that could potentially harm your family. Solay simple natural cleaners utilize the power of natural salt to safely clean and sanitize your home without jeopardizing your health. National health and wellness club member tested and approved.

Household cleaning uses for salt

There are many safe and effective uses for salt for household use. Here is a list of salt uses by category.

Laundry:
* soak stained hankies in salt water before washing
* boil clothes pins in salt water before using them and they will last longer
* eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt
* soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your clothes from freezing to the line
* likewise, use salt in your final rinse to prevent clothes from freezing
* fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash
* boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out matched
* cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cold water later
* to remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to four parts alcohol

General cleaning :
* rub salt on your pancake griddle, and your pancakes won't
stick
* clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made from salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
* pour a mound of salt on an ink or blood spot on your carpet; let salt soak up the stain
* clean your iron by rubbing some salt on a damp cloth on the ironing surface
* clean piano keys with a mixture of salt and lemon juice
* rub any wicker furniture with salt water to prevent yellowing
* freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water
* mix salt with turpentine to whiten your bathtub and toilet bowl
* soak enamel pans in salt water overnight, then boil salt water in them the next day to remove burned-on stains
* sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean
* soak discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to remove stains
* clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt
* use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot
* sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odor
* salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator
* salt and cinnamon will remove offensive odors from the stove
* salt and lemon juice removes mildew
* remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot solution of salt and water
* polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look
* if a pie bubbles over in the oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spill. It won't smell and will bake into a dry, light crust you can easily wipe away when oven in cool

Personal hygiene:
* soak toothbrushes in salt water before your first use; they'll last longer
* dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth polisher
* mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. gargle with warm water for a sore throat
* use equal parts salt and soda for brushing your teeth
* rinse a sore eye with a little salt water

Miscellaneous use:
* sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks or cracks where you don't want grass to grow
* to fill holes in your plaster walls, use equal parts of salt and starch with just enough water to make a stiff putty
* sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away
* for a longer life for cut flowers, add a little salt to the water

More uses for hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is often used as an antiseptic on cuts and scrapes, as mouthwash, and to whiten teeth. But there are many other uses for this inexpensive germ killer around your home and outside as well. Here are some suggestions:

Personal hygiene: good for acne, as a gargle, and to soak your toothbrush.

Bathroom: to disinfect cleaning sponges, countertops and to clean jewelry. Also spray the shower to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

Kitchen: to disinfect countertops, cleaning sponges, and cutting boards. Also mix 1/4 peroxide with some salt in a sink full of cold water to kill salmonella and viruses on fruits and vegetables.

Laundry: removes blood, wine, mildew, and grass stains, and is a good alternative to bleach. Just remember it may lighten a colored fabric.

Pet accessories: good for cleaning litterboxes, small animal cages, fish tanks, bird baths, and bird feeders.

When using hydrogen peroxide, never swallow it, don't use it on metal surfaces, and keep it in it's dark container until you use it, as it will lose it's strength if exposed to light.