Oncologists Are Begging People To Throw Out This Common Laundry Product
It's hard to scroll through Instagram or TikTok without seeing at least one post about a common household item that can "cause" cancer, including what you're washing your clothes with.
First, let's get one thing straight: Using one product one time does not cause cancer.
"Patients ask me whether one specific product caused their cancer or dramatically increased their risk," Dr. Krushangi Patel, MD, a medical oncologist at City of Hope, tells Parade. "The reality is that cancer usually develops from a combination of factors over many years, including genetics, lifestyle and environmental exposures. That's why it's important to view everyday products in context."
The goal is to make informed choices about the risk factors we can change.
"The reason it's still so important to understand these risks isn't to create more fear, but to do the exact opposite: to turn that fear into a sense of control," says Dr. Tracy Proverbs-Singh, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. "Ultimately, this knowledge is about empowerment. It's not about living in a state of constant anxiety, but about making informed, proactive decisions for your long-term health."
Dr. Singh explains that information about products that may increase cancer risk helps you take small, actionable steps to navigate the world safely. It gives you agency in protecting your own well-being-and that of your family. To help you step into the power of informed choices, oncologists share one laundry product worth throwing out and why.
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The Common Laundry Product Oncologists Are Begging People To Throw Out
Oncologists warn that it's best not to use dryer sheets and fabric softeners when doing laundry. "The concern is that some of those fragrances may contain or release chemicals that are not fully disclosed on product labels," Dr. Patel warns.
Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hematologist-oncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas, echoes these sentiments.
"Most fabric softeners do not intentionally contain known human carcinogens as active ingredients," Dr. Khan says. "Rather, the concern is that some may contain fragrance ingredients, impurities or manufacturing byproducts that are known or suspected carcinogens."
Dr. Mohamad Khair F. Khasawneh, MD, a medical oncologist at Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, says that the chemical residues from these products may remain on clothes and enter our air. It could expose us to:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A 2016 study suggested that scented laundry products emitted VOCs. "When heated in a dryer, these products vent VOCs into the air," he says. "Scented softeners have been shown to emit compounds like acetaldehyde and benzene, which are recognized carcinogens."
- Hidden fragrance ingredients. Dr. Khasawneh adds that manufacturers can group hundreds of chemicals under "fragrance" or "perfume" on labels because of trade secret laws. As a result, consumers may unintentionally expose themselves to harmful chemical mixtures.
- Continuous exposure pathways. Softeners are designed to stay embedded in fabrics, unlike soaps that we wash away. "This creates two ongoing pathways of exposure: inhalation of the vapors as we breathe in our homes, and skin absorption as our clothes and bedsheets rub against our bodies all day and night," Dr. Khasawneh points out.
Related: Oncologists Are Begging People To Throw Out This Common Kitchen Item
How Much Do Dryer Sheets and Fabric Softeners Increase Cancer Risk?
So, how big is your cancer risk if you use these laundry products, really? "Typical dryer sheet use doesn't necessarily cause cancer," Dr. Patel clarifies. "Risk depends on factors such as dose, frequency and duration of exposure. But because fragrance-related emissions aren't always obvious from the label, many experts recommend minimizing unnecessary fragrance exposure when practical."
Is there a "safe" exposure to fabric softeners and dryer sheets? TL;DR: Not that we know of.
"They release a complex, undisclosed mixture of chemicals, not a single, measurable substance," Dr. Proverbs-Singh explains. "Everyone's tolerance and overall exposure load is different, so the concept of a universal safe level doesn't apply."
Alternatives to Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets
"The most straightforward approach is to skip fabric softener and dryer sheets entirely," Dr. Khan states. "Most clothing does not need it, and this entirely eliminates a major source of fragrance chemicals."
That said, Dr. Proverbs-Singh says there are many safe, effective alternatives to fabric softeners. She and other oncologists recommend:
- Wool dryer balls. Dr. Proverbs-Singh says wool dryer balls are a top pick for an all-around recommendation. "They physically soften clothes, reduce static and shorten drying time, and you can even add essential oils for a natural scent."
- White vinegar. Dr. Khasawneh suggests adding a half-cup of distilled white vinegar to your washing machine's rinse cycle. "It breaks down leftover detergent residues that make clothes stiff, leaving your laundry naturally soft."
- Fragrance-free or plant-based products. If you love the convenience of standard laundry sheets and don't want to go the DIY route, Dr. Khasawneh suggests switching to a fragrance-free or plant-based alternative. He advises people to look for "brands explicitly verified as non-toxic or organic by independent watchdog groups like the Environmental Working Group (EWG). These utilize plant-derived softening agents and are entirely free from synthetic dyes and mystery fragrances."
- Aluminum foil (seriously). "For a simple and free hack specifically to combat static, a tightly crumpled ball of aluminum foil tossed in the dryer will discharge static electricity, keeping clothes from clinging," Dr. Proverbs-Singh says.
Keep in mind: It's not possible to achieve "zero exposure" to chemicals like those found in dryer sheets or fabric softeners. Doctors also don't want you to panic if you've been using these products in your laundry all along.
"The goal [is] to reduce unnecessary exposures where you can," Dr. Proverbs-Singh says. "This new information isn't a reason for regret. It's a moment of empowerment."
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Sources:
- Dr. Krushangi Patel, MD, a medical oncologist at City of Hope
- Dr. Tracy Proverbs-Singh, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center
- Dr. Adeel Khan, MD, an academic hematologist-oncologist and epidemiologist in Dallas
- Dr. Mohamad Khair F. Khasawneh, MD, a medical oncologist at Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health
- Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health.
- Evaluation of pollutants in perfumes, colognes and health effects on the consumer: a systematic review. Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering.
- "Trade Secret" Ingredients. FDA.
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 10:50 AM.