Some people love them. Some folks hate them. When it comes to using dryer sheets, many have opinions on why they decide to use them despite evidence of their potential dangers. Of course, at the end of the day they do what they are designed to do. 

Today I will attempt to subjectively outline “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” of dryer sheets. At very least, after reading this you will be equipped with the facts to make your own decision on the appropriateness of dryer sheets in your laundry room.

Let’s begin with the well established and obvious benefits of dryer sheets.

The Good

Let’s face it… dryer sheets work. Below are their three primary uses. The benefits and effects of these uses are pretty obvious as well, so we won’t spend much time here, but it must be acknowledged first that they do what they are designed to do.

Benefits:

• Softens laundry
• Reduces static electricity in dryer
• Imparts laundry with pleasant scent

Now, we can move on to some of the lesser known side effects of dryer sheets...

The Bad

While it is true that dryer sheets will work effectively on most types of fabric, there are two types of material that you should try to avoid when using them. 

Flame Retardant Fabrics

Absorbent Fabrics

Leaves Residue in dryer over time

If you have ever touched a dryer sheet then you understand that they have an oily chemical feel to them. As you can imagine the same chemical that makes the sheet work, also can build up a residue on the interior of your dryer. Unfortunately, this can negatively affect the dryer in two ways:

Decreased Efficiency

The build can decrease the efficiency of the vent in your dryer which in turn affects the efficiency of your whole machine.

Desensitized Moisture Sensor

Stains

Lastly, if your dryer is overloaded, the sheet may not circulate enough. If the sheet stays in direct contact with the same spot of fabric too long, it is prone to cause a stain.

Now, I’ll discuss the worst case scenarios possible for dryer sheets.

The Ugly

Toxic To Pets

Just like many highly scented products, our pets can be highly interested in a new strong scent introduced in the household. If accidentally left out in the open and unattended, it can turn to a bad situation if your pet consumes dryer sheets. In high doses, the chemicals found in dryer sheets have the potential to cause harm to animals. 

Flammable

Last but not least, many dryer sheets use ethanol as an active ingredient. Ethanol is a highly flammable chemical, so be aware that dryer sheets have the ability to combust into flame as well.

Interested in more tips on dryers? Check out our article on all the things you can do with dryer lint!

Also, check out our Steady-Pad. These anti-vibration pads are great for stabilizing loud, shaking washers and dryers.