Everyone is familiar with the multifarious uses of aluminum foil in the kitchen – be it preserving food freshness or cooking. However, there is a less common, but highly effective use of this versatile material that could save you a lot of money – using it in your laundry! Let’s delve into the how and why.
Why Put Aluminum Foil Balls in Your Washing Machine?
Aluminum foil isn’t just useful in the kitchen. It can be a versatile ally in your laundry routine too. If you cleverly incorporate it into your washing machine, it can make your laundry routine easier and more economical. Let’s look into the specifics.
What’s the Benefit of Aluminum Foil Balls in the Washing Machine?
There’s no need to worry – the aluminum won’t damage your washing machine drum or your clothes. In fact, it does quite the opposite. It makes the washing process easier and more efficient. To start, make two or three balls of aluminum foil, roughly the size of a tennis ball, and put them in your washing machine. This simple step offers numerous advantages.
Neutralizing Static Electricity
Have you ever experienced a small electric shock from a fabric or found clothing clinging to your skin? This phenomenon, known as static electricity, occurs when the friction between fabrics, especially synthetic ones, facilitates the exchange of electrons. It can be further exacerbated by the negative charges of the detergents used to wash the laundry. The static issue tends to worsen in winter when the air is drier. Although static electricity isn’t harmful, it can be a nuisance. The aluminum foil balls can counter this issue as they absorb electrons from fabrics, preventing static buildup.
Why Not Just Use Dryer Sheets?
Despite their ubiquitous use, dryer sheets carry hidden dangers. While the packaging often promises freshness, fabric softening, static reduction, and wrinkle-fighting properties, it doesn’t detail the potential chemical hazards. Surprisingly, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn’t require manufacturers to list the actual ingredients used in these sheets, including the chemicals used for fragrance.
In a bid to unveil the hidden contents of these widely-used products, scientists have studied dryer sheets and dryer vent exhaust. Here’s a snapshot of some alarming findings:
In a groundbreaking study, fragrance researcher Anne Steinemann, PhD, analyzed chemicals expelled from dryer vents. Using new, pre-rinsed organic towels and scented fabric softeners and dryer sheets, the team found seven hazardous air pollutants and 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the dryer emissions. Some of these, including acetaldehyde and benzene, are harmful even at minimal levels.
Acetaldehyde is a common ingredient in synthetic fragrance blends. It’s potentially harmful to humans and negatively affects the kidneys, nervous, and respiratory systems. Despite being regulated in outdoor emissions, there are no such restrictions for home use, which can have serious implications. In a 2016 study, Steinemann discovered that 12.5 percent of people attributed health issues to scented laundry products emitted from dryer vents. These issues included respiratory problems, skin conditions, migraines, and even gastrointestinal symptoms.
According to Steinemann’s research, the acetaldehyde emissions from five leading scented detergent and dryer sheet brands amount to about 6 percent of automobiles‘ acetaldehyde emissions, a significant amount. She further highlighted the potential environmental impact, as these chemicals can contaminate the air and water bodies.
Other findings from various research include:
- Forty-four percent of scented laundry products tested emitted at least one carcinogenic hazardous air pollutant, including acetaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, and formaldehyde.
- Immediate dangers of synthetic scents in laundry products include migraines, asthma attacks, eye and throat irritation, and contact dermatitis.
- In a mouse study, fabric softening products limited airflow and caused pulmonary irritation.
- In 2009, nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population reported irritation from scents from dryer vents. By 2016, that number rose to over 12 percent.
- A study by Silent Spring Institute found dryer sheets contained some of the highest concentrations of harmful fragrance chemicals.
- Dryer sheets often contain quaternary ammonium compounds, which can trigger asthma attacks, and acetone, which can cause dizziness and headaches.
Ensuring Superior Cleaning
Aluminum foil balls aren’t just good for neutralizing static; they also help clean your clothes more thoroughly. By using this economical and eco-friendly trick, you can maintain your clothes’ quality and longevity without resorting to harmful chemical products. What’s more, you can reuse the same aluminum foil balls for many months.
Other Uses of Aluminum Foil Balls
Aside from the washing machine, aluminum foil balls can also be utilized in other appliances like dryers and dishwashers, with equally impressive results.
Why Should You Put Aluminum Foil in the Dryer?
Much like in a washing machine, aluminum foil plays a crucial role in a clothes dryer. It helps neutralize static electricity and can even reduce wrinkles on clothes. By separating textiles during drying, foil balls prevent wrinkles from forming. Some users also report that it softens clothes, meaning your clothes will emerge from the dryer cleaner and more comfortable.
Why Should You Put Aluminum Foil in the Dishwasher?
If you’ve invested in a dishwasher, but aren’t getting the shiny, spotless cutlery you were hoping for, aluminum foil might be the solution. Before starting a regular dishwashing cycle, place a piece of aluminum foil, crumpled into a golf ball size, in the cutlery drawer. The ensuing chemical reaction between the dishwashing tabs and the aluminum foil captures all rust particles, preventing them from tarnishing your dishes.
In summary, aluminum foil balls provide an affordable, eco-friendly, and highly effective solution for your laundry and dishes. And while we’ve covered several applications in this article, the list isn’t exhaustive. Don’t hesitate to try them out for yourself; you may find even more benefits!
The versatility of aluminum foil is seemingly endless. Here are a few more ways you can use aluminum foil in your everyday life:
- Shielding Electronics: Aluminum foil can be used to protect electronics from electromagnetic interference due to its excellent conductivity.
- Polishing Silverware: When combined with baking soda, aluminum foil can help to clean and polish tarnished silverware.
- Gardening Aid: Foil can deter pests or direct sunlight towards sun-loving plants in your garden.
- Cleaning Grill: A ball of aluminum foil can work wonders as a makeshift grill scrubber.
The use of aluminum foil balls in your washing machine presents a versatile, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional laundry products. Not only do these foil balls help neutralize static electricity and promote better cleaning, but they also serve as a reusable tool that can last for several months, reducing waste. Moreover, they present a practical solution for minimizing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in laundry products. With benefits extending to the dishwasher and dryer, the humble aluminum foil ball proves its worth as a valuable household ally for cleanliness, efficiency, and sustainability.
Looking for green options?
Truly Free Home Laundry Kits! – This is essential oil based, all natural and eco friendly. I love these products. They work so well and Truly Free supports many positive causes. Highly recommend giving them a shot!
