The scent of freshly washed clothes may seem synonymous with cleanliness, but some products that create that scent are raising concerns among doctors. Especially when it comes to fabric softeners and air fresheners used in dryer sheets.
On social media, it's hard not to come across posts warning that a common household product "causes" cancer. Among them, the products we use to wash clothes are often mentioned.
But doctors clarify: one-time use of a product does not cause cancer.
“Patients ask me if a specific product caused their cancer or significantly increased their risk,” Dr. Krushangi Patel, an oncologist, tells Parade. “The truth is that cancer usually develops from a combination of factors over many years, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. So it’s important to look at everyday products in context.”
The goal, according to doctors, is not to create fear, but to better understand the factors we can control.
Dr. Tracy Proverbs-Singh, a gastrointestinal oncologist, says that information about products that may increase cancer risk should be seen as a way to make more informed decisions, not as a reason to panic.
“This information is not about living in constant anxiety, but about making more informed decisions about long-term health,” she explains.
The product that oncologists advise avoiding is fabric softener , along with the scented sheets used in the dryer.
According to Dr. Patel, the main concern is related to artificial fragrances, which may contain or release chemicals that are not fully declared on the label.
Dr. Adeel Khan, a hematologist-oncologist and epidemiologist, says that most fabric softeners do not intentionally contain known carcinogens in their active ingredients. The problem, he says, is that some of them may contain fragrance ingredients, impurities, or byproducts of the manufacturing process that are known or suspected carcinogens.
Dr. Mohamad Khair F. Khasawneh explains that chemical residues from these products can remain on clothes and even spread into the air in the home.
One of the concerns is related to volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs. A 2016 study suggested that scented laundry products can emit such compounds. When these products are heated in the dryer, they can release VOCs into the air. According to Dr. Khasawneh, some scented fabric softeners can release substances like acetaldehyde and benzene , which are known carcinogens.
Another problem is ingredients hidden under the term “fragrance” or “parfum.” Due to rules protecting trade secrets, manufacturers can include hundreds of chemicals under this general designation. This means that consumers can unknowingly be exposed to chemical mixtures that they are not fully familiar with.
Unlike detergent, which is rinsed out during washing, fabric softeners are designed to stay in the fibers. This means that exposure can continue in two ways: through the air we breathe in our homes and through the continued contact of clothes or sheets with our skin.
But how much do these products really increase the risk of cancer?
“The risk depends on factors such as dose, frequency and duration of exposure. But, since emissions related to fragrances are not always clear from the label, many experts advise minimizing unnecessary exposure to fragrances, when possible.”
According to Dr. Proverbs-Singh, there is no universal level that can be called “safe,” because these products do not emit a single measurable substance, but a complex and often undeclared mixture of chemicals. Furthermore, each person has different tolerances and exposures in everyday life.
The simplest solution, according to doctors, is to avoid using fabric softeners and dryer sheets altogether or to reduce their use.
“Most clothes don’t need them,” says Dr. Khan. “By avoiding them, you eliminate a significant source of fragrance chemicals.”
However, for those who want softer clothes, there are safer alternatives.
Wool dryer balls are one of the most recommended options. According to Dr. Proverbs-Singh, they help physically soften clothes, reduce static electricity, and can shorten drying times. For those who like a scent, you can also add a few drops of essential oil.
Another option is white vinegar. Dr. Khasawneh suggests adding half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine. It helps break down detergent residue that makes clothes stiff, leaving them naturally softer.
For those who prefer ready-made products, doctors advise unscented or plant-based alternatives, verified as non-toxic or organic by independent organizations. It is important to avoid synthetic dyes and unclear fragrances on the label.
Of course, zero exposure to chemicals is almost impossible in everyday life. And doctors emphasize that no one should panic if they have been using these products for years.
The goal is simpler: to reduce unnecessary exposures where we can.
