topic Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber in Community Chat

Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

rms1954 — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:08:23 GMT

Why do they tell you not to use dryer sheets and Berkshire blankets, Cuddle Duds fleece wear, etc.????

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

ROMARY — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:12:53 GMT

I believe they leave a coating which mat down the fibers. I'm not sure, though. All I know is that folks don't pay any attention to me, and each time I see those matted down beautiful throws that I gifted to them, (all brands, including Berkshire), I've decided to pick my gift-ee) people/recipients with more care.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

jackthebear — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:13:22 GMT

@rms1954wrote:
Why do they tell you not to use dryer sheets and Berkshire blankets, Cuddle Duds fleece wear, etc.????

I think the products clog the fibers,I never used dryer sheets or softeners ,and the fleece and blankets dry very quickly just hanging up

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

Shelbelle — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:18:47 GMT

I have not used dryer sheets in over 10 years, not good for the dryer or the fabrics. I keep 4 of the blue silicone dryer balls in my dryer at all times, last forever.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

ROMARY — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:19:18 GMT

I'm now thinking that those 'peeps' are using them on purpose. Why display my beautiful gifted throws which are matted down in a bad way? They just don't want to follow any directions, imo. A personality trait, I guess. The don't suggest to me what to do and not do type of personality. Just a guess, of course.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

SilleeMee — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:42:59 GMT

Dryer sheets are basically made of a piece of ultra-thin cloth coated with a thin layer of wax which will cause fluffy fine fibers, for instance microfiber, to flatten, become sticky and attract more lint/dirt.

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Ever use brow wax? Same thing... flattens and makes the hair sticky so they lay down flat.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

bargainsgirl — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:47:27 GMT

I never use dryer sheets anymore. I use the wool dryer balls. Saves $ and environment and the sheets make your clothes "gummy" after awhile. And it accumulates in your dryer.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

daisyk — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 22:50:17 GMT

They also sometimes say to dry on no heat. I should probably do that, but it always seems counter intuitive to me. So I dry on low and they "picky" looking like sheeps wool.

Does the no heat setting actually dry the throws?

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

goldensrbest — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 23:02:30 GMT

They coat the fabrics, not good at all,and your dryer.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

Carmie — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:30:37 GMT

Microfiber and polyester is made from plastic. Dryer sheets are wax and oil that coats fabric.

The two together with heat will create a mess.

I do not use dryer sheets at all. They are full of chemicals that are harmful. Toxic chemicals that are known to cause cancer and other illnesses, including respiratory problems. They should be driven from the market.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

JoyFilled Warrior — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 01:52:40 GMT

WOW. Thank goodness I've read this thread!

I havent washed my Berkshire super fluffy blankets/sheets yet, & confession time, I probably wouldnt have read the directions, & I wld have possibly just tossed in a Downy sheet, without thinking, assured it would smell so great, along with soft.

Now, I'l make sure not to use Dryer Sheets with them, & probably a whole host of other loads!

I wonder if others, that were mentioned here, were so "mindless" abt Dryer Sheets as I was (before this thread) ??

Let me ask. What abt "Fabric Softener," liquid or beads, in the Wash? Is that a problem too?

Question:

@ShelbelleWhat do the "4 of the blue silicone dryer balls" do for the load, & where do I find them?

@goldensrbestSame question. What do the "wool balls" do for the load, & where do I find them?

TIA

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

Icegoddess — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 02:06:56 GMT

@JoyFilled Warrior, I haven't used a fabric softener of any kind in years. It was never something I regularly used. I can't handle the fragrance anymore either.

I don't think you are supposed to use fabric softener of any kind with microfiber. You also shouldn't use them with anything absorbent like your towels or athletic clothing you want to wick mositure. They make them repel water instead of absorb it.

All fabric softeners can make your clothing/fabrics more flammable and can build up in your dryer and possibly cause a fire. Simply rinsing the filter will not fix the problem.

I think the balls work by beating your fabrics into submission, LOL. I've heard of just putting tennis balls in with your dryer loads to soften fabrics.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

JoyFilled Warrior — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 02:30:46 GMT

@Icegoddess

Wow. Where has my head been?

For 2 yrs, I'd newly started using the bottle of "Tide Liquid with Downy Fabric Softener" (together, Same bottle) when I had to sit close to an Internet Salesperson. His colored clothes were so bright, & he smelled soooooo good. Otherwise, I used to use Tide powdr with OxyClean powder, and Fabric sheet (not Downy, I dont think). Maybe I dont own much microfiber??

I'd better look into "beating my wet clothes into submission" another way ROFL! Like the silicone balls, wool balls, or tennis balls. Well, maybe not tennis balls. (I dont want them to smell like melted rubber).

I had NO IDEA abt fires in the Dryer from using Fabric Softener sheets. whew!

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

JoyFilled Warrior — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 02:33:51 GMT

Thank y'all for this information.

I had no idea I didnt know, what I didnt know.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

Trailrun23 — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 02:39:54 GMT

I hang a lot of things up to dry, then put them in the dryer on air-only to fluff them up. I have seen tags on some beach towels and other things too that say no fabric softener because it "reduces the item's absorbancy"

Years ago fabric softener sheets contained formaldehyde...maybe the liquid softeners did too.

I have discovered my throws and everything else are much softer now that I only use about half of the detergent I once used.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

rms1954 — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 02:44:32 GMT

Thank you all for the explanation.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

Another new name Sue — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 19:21:14 GMT

I never use dryer sheets or liquid in the washer. I just don't like the gumminess or scent. Sometimes walking in my neighborhood I can smell dryer sheet scent in the air. Someone doing laundry, I guess. I used wool dryer balls for quite some time but got tired of picking them up when they stick in the laundry and roll around on the floor. Thanks for the reminder, maybe I'll get them out to use again.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

JoyFilled Warrior — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 19:44:26 GMT

@Another new name Sue

Hmm. I was just looking for Wool Balls, & looking at the "siicone balls" as a result of this thread.

I wld like to avoid "balls" sticking to my laundry, as you said @Another new name Sue

@Shelbelleabove mentioned she uses "silicone balls"

I wonder since the silicone balls seem to have "spikey-things" on them, if they do not stick to the clothes as much as "Wool Balls?"

I plan to get One, the Other, or both! .. as a result of the "sage advice" presented on this thread!

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

KKJ — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 20:20:09 GMT

@Shelbellewrote:
I have not used dryer sheets in over 10 years, not good for the dryer or the fabrics. I keep 4 of the blue silicone dryer balls in my dryer at all times, last forever.

I'm with you, haven't used them in years. Use wool dryer balls as scented dryer sheets have harmful chemicals in them.

Re: Dryer Sheets and Microfiber

ROMARY — Sun, 04 Dec 2022 20:28:38 GMT

New Nickname: 'Don't get me started'.........Some days it seems like our neighborhood reeks of strong chemical/laundry odors.

As a matter of fact, a laundromat near our local supermarket.......the strong laundry odor travels from one block away, into the supermarket parking lot.

It used to be that I would relax, waiting in a laundromat, reading magazines while my heavy comforters were being washed and dried. No heavy detergent/softeners scents. Just pleasant warmth. Not anymore now-a-days. I don't think it's very healthy to be breathing in those scents/odors/fumes/whatever in a compact indoor area.