What are dryer sheets made from?
Another form of fabric softener is in the form of dryer sheets which are added to clothing in the tumble dryer to soften the fabrics and prevent static. Dryer sheets, or dryer anticling strips, can also be used to keep clothes smelling good while being stored. Fabric softeners work by coating the surface of the cloth fibers with a thin layer of chemicals; these chemicals have lubricant properties and are electrically conductive, thus making the fibers feel smoother and preventing buildup of static electricity. Other functions are improvements of iron glide during ironing, increased resistance to stains, and reduction of wrinkling. Cationic softeners bind by electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged groups on the surface of the fibers and neutralizing their charge; the long aliphatic chains are then oriented towards the outside of the fiber, imparting lubricity. Vinegar works on some materials in a similar way, as the hydrogen ions bind to the anionic groups on the fibers. The
Dryer sheets are made from paper, wax, and an enormous amount of cheap, nasty perfume. Even ‘unscented’ dryer sheets contain enormous amounts of perfume; it’s there to mask the unpleasant smell of the wax. If you use dryer sheets, not much can be made of the lint because the wax gets on the lint and makes it both flammable and difficult to work with. If you don’t use dryer sheets you can use the lint to stuff small things like homemade pin cushions and small toys.
