Clothing, bedding, towels, and upholstery are in near-constant contact with skin. What they’re washed with — or treated with — matters.

⚠️ Problematic exposures:

• Fabric softeners and dryer sheets – coat fabric with quats and fragrance chemicals, many of which are respiratory irritants or hormone disruptors.
• Laundry detergents – often contain optical brighteners, synthetic fragrance, and harsh surfactants that remain in fabric after rinsing.
• Stain-resistant or wrinkle-free treatments – often contain PFAS compounds or formaldehyde-based resins.
• Bleach and disinfectants – can leave behind skin-irritating residues, especially if not rinsed thoroughly.

Residues in fabrics don’t wash out easily and can be absorbed slowly through skin or transferred hand-to-mouth — especially for children.