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Article
Fabric Softener

Softener Sheets Can Hamper Your Dryer?

By TruthOrFiction.com

Categories: Laundry
Tagged: Clothes, Dryer, Drying Clothes, Fabric Softener, Housekeeping, Laundry, Safety

TruthOrFiction.com evaluates the claims of this emailed rumor: Some dryer softener sheets can clog your lint filter.

Summary of the eRumor

This eRumor contains a firsthand account of a person whose heating unit in a clothes dryer failed. The man who repaired it pulled out what appeared to be a clean lint filter but when taken over to the kitchen sink would not allow water to run through it.

 

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It was clogged. The repairman said it was the result of using dryer sheets, that they result in a film that clogs the filter and that can only be removed by scrubbing the filter with a brush as well as soap.

 

 

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:
Information About Clothes Dryers
I had a wonderful morning, the heating unit went out of my dryer! Why does everything seem to fall apart this time of year!??? The guy that fixes things went in to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.

 

He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. Now, this thing is like a mesh — I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like — WELL......the hot water just laid on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at all!!! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh and that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that???!!!! Learn something new everyday!

I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, thought I'd share! Note: I went to dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water collected a little but ran though the screen. I dried it off and was ready to put it back in the dryer since the water ran through it but, I thought was the heck it won't hurt to wash it while I had it out. Warm soap water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. I then ran the water over the screen and what a difference the water just gushed through it with no puddling at all and this time I was running the water at a faster rate. That repairman knew what he was talking about.

The Truth

There appears to be some truth to this one, although not all dryer sheets are the same. We did some checking and found several manufacturers of clothes dryers who discouraged using dryer sheets.

The owner's manuals for Eurotech brand tumble dryers say "We recommend using a liquid fabric softener in the washer's rinse cycle. We do not recommend using fabric softener sheets in the dryer. Over time, the chemicals on these sheets can build up inside the lint filter and clog the holes that circulate the air."

The Asko Corporation, which makes washers and dryers, publishes a "Dryer Use and Care Guide." They have the same recommendation against using fabric softener sheets in dryers because of chemical build-up that can clog the filter.

Frigidaire, in its FAQ about dryers, says that not only should the lint screen be cleaned after every load but occasionally washed in soap and water to remove built-up residue from dryer sheets.

Most of the articles we found said the build-up on the lint filters is because of chemicals used in the dryer sheets. There are some products that claim to reduce static and soften fabric without use of chemicals, but we've not seen an independent evaluation of those. Doing a search at www.google.com for "dryer sheets chemical free" will list some of those.

 

 

Softener Sheets Can Hamper Your Dryer?:  Created on December 7th, 2006.  Last Modified on January 21st, 2014

 

About TruthOrFiction.com

TruthOrFiction.com is a Web site where Internet users can quickly and easily get information about eRumors, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email. TruthOrFiction.com is designed to be of value to the ordinary user of the Internet who wants to make sure that an email story contains information, not misinformation.

 

The founder and operator of TruthOrFiction.com is Rich Buhler, a broadcaster, speaker, author, broadcast journalist and producer who has researched and written about rumors and urban legends for more than 30 years. Because of both his knowledge about what he terms "eRumors" and his broadcast background, Rich is a popular guest on radio and television and has appeared on national and international outlets including on CNN, MSNBC, NBC, Fox News, BBC, CBC, as well as local television and radio stations from Maryland to California. He has also either written or been featured in numerous newspaper and magazine articles.