Fires from Static Electricity in Laundry

Try using dryer magic balls (you can also use tennis balls), they make it loud, but it helps and you do not have the smell or irritation beings there is no chemicals. Here is the website...
http://www.simplygoodstuff.com/dryer_magic-dryerballs.htm
You can also find them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond as well or Linens and Things.

I never use dryer sheets and I tend to leave a load of clothes in the dryer. I have never had a problem with a fire. I always clean out the lint traps in the dryer after every use because a back up of lint in the line can cause a fire but not static. Are you able to use a free and clear fabric softener in the wash. I have skin issues also and only use liquid free and clear soap in the washer and liquid free and clear softener in the wash.

Not going to happen...

Fires are caused by the lent build up in the lent tray that sides down the exhaust tube. Always a good idea to clean the exhaust tube once a year.

This is off the question, but you state that your husband has bad eczema, he has a fungal problem with in his body that is trying to come out. go to this website www.knowthecause.com very interesting program. I have been watching it for a year and it is amazing what I have learned. He is also on Direct TV on the NRB channel, channel 378 at 1:00pm everyday. Excema is due to a fungal problem within the body.
And no, I have never heard of fire from static. Interesting. Can't help you there. Sorry.

Leaving the clothes in the dryer isn't what causes the static...over-drying them does! I do clean my lint filter after every load, because lint in the dryer vent line CAN ignite.

I once moved into an older home that had the dryer relatively far from an exterior wall. The vent tubing had several 90-degree angle bends on its way to the exterior vent that were severely clogged. I noticed my clothes weren't drying and had a new dryer, so I called for service. It took an unbelievable amount of work for him to clean the vent and he told me it was the worst he'd ever seen and that I was lucky that I hadn't started a fire! Since that time I've been very vigilant.

As to the fabric softener and excema, I have a whole family of people with sensitive skin. I've used the Free & Clear detergents in the past, but am currently really liking 7th Generation's Lavender Detergent (scented with lavender...they also have an unscented detergent). I use distilled white vinegar (you can buy gallon jugs for less than a dollar) in the rinse cycle: the same quantity as I previously used of liquid fabric softener. Not only do my clothes come out wonderfully soft, but it doesn't reduce the flame retardancy of children's sleepwear, and it doesn't cause that horrible build-up in my washing machine! I very often don't use anything in my dryer, but there are a couple of products out there including "dryer balls" and a reusable fabric sheet that has no chemicals, but "naturally" reduces static (honestly I didn't notice a huge improvement with it...but rarely have static problems).

Good luck to you and let me know if there is any additional information you'd like!

I never use dryer sheets and I always leave clothes in the dryer. No fire yet.

i have never had a fire & do not use dryer sheets & always forget my clothes in the dryer...i do use vinegar in the wash in place of fabric softener...it leaves my clothes soft

Hi, M.

It happens! And more often than you would think. The fires usually start because the lint has not been cleaned out of the dryer and vent on a frequent basis.
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/clothes_dryer_fire.htm

The use of waxes to soften clothes basically turn fabric into candles. Most manufacturers of childrens clothing will have a warning about using wax products to "soften" (coat) clothes, especially the non-flammable sleepers. NEVER EVER use fabric softeners on kids' clothes!

Buy dye-free detergent or soap, run the spin cycle twice to remove more water, then dry. Pull the clothes out of the dryer before they are completely dry and there won't be as much of a problem. If he irons his clothes, use a little white vinegar in water instead of starch; or steam wrinkles out with a steamer (it's faster, a great investement and is great for the house plants). It'll be better for everyone!

Never heard of that, but you might want to try Melaluca products, specifically the detergent/fabric softner/shampoo, body wash stuff. I don't have skin problems, but it's supposed to do WONDERS, as they don't have the chemicals that "regular" products do (Quaternium-15, which I looked up in wikipedia, causes skin problems and is in BABY SHAMPOO/WASH!!! It's a formaldihyde releasing agent = YUCK! I don't sell the stuff, I just use it. They talk about this stuff, but I looked it up myself and was a bit surprised to say the least.

If you don't want to sign up for it, see if your friends use their products, maybe you can have them order it for you and test drive it. I've basically gradually replaced all my soaps/detergents over a couple months.

Good luck!

Hi M.,

Like others have already said:
Switch to a natural (phosphate and SLS free) detergent. I use Mrs. Meyer's, which is sold at Target, Whole Foods, and Central Market. I have been using natural detergents for a few years, and this is the best one I have found. I also love their basil scent!
I never use any fabric softener (in the washing machine or dryer) and have never had complaints about the clothes. They are clean, smell great, and won't harm my little kids or the environment.

Before switching to organic products, I still never used dryer sheets and never had a fire, even in all the dumpy places with ancient appliances I lived in while in my 20's!

Peace,
M.

clothes in a dryer will not start a fire. The only way the clothes will is if they are dosed in gasoline or something like that. but static electricity by the clothes itself no! The lint trap could get clogged and cause a fire.
hope this helps i asked my dad hes been working on machines, equipment and is a mechanic almost all his life!

My life is full of times (from childhood on up to being a mom myself) of clothes being left in the dryer for long periods of time, and my mom NEVER used dryer sheets. I only do occasionally. The only problem that has ever occured in my families related to clothes being left in the dryer is wrinkly clothes (and hence, the need to pull out the iron a lot more). As long as the lint trap gets cleaned regularly, the really should be no problem ever. And if you are worried about it, just shorten the drying time so they don't get 100% dry and you shouldn't have to worry about static. I use the auto dry setting on my dryer (senses when they get dry) and honestly, I have never had regular clothes get static on them. Ocasionally something like a slip or a skirt (made out of dressier materials) will come out with some static, but most of the clothes never get it.

Hi. I do know I had a friend and she never cleaned her lint from the dryer and she ruined the dryer. She had to buy another one. It is perfectly safe to put softener in the washing machine.

Sounds like an old wives' tale to me. What did people do before dryer sheets were invented?? Growing up, my mom never used fabric softener either.

Hi M.!
I never use dryer sheets or fabric softener. My drryer is good.
With your husband has eczema I would stay away from any softener and dryer sheets. Also pay attention what detergent you use, with no smell and no blue or green color- they contain cobalt that causes skin problems.
Your husband can get rid completely of eczema. If you like to know how send me an email.
Good luck-W.

Yeah, I don't think that's true. We never used to use dryer sheets or fabric softener. *Knock on wood. Have you tried the non smelling for sensitive skin dryer sheets/fabric softener? Just an idea, I'm sure you've tried it all! Anyway, I don't think you're gonna get a fire Good luck!

I haven't used dryer sheets for several years and never had a problem. Think about this-for many years there was no such thing as dryer sheets or fabric softener, and there are no reports of fires from static electricity.
I stopped using the sheets because, as an 18 year survivor of breast cancer I try to avoid toxins. I read that you breathe in the toxins from the dryer sheets on the clothes you wear, the pillowcases, sheets, towels etc.
It will be good for your family's health in general to stop using them.
I use the blue silicone balls that fluff the clothes in the dryer and never wear out.
B.

We had the same problem with our daughter. We switched to Tide Free and Downey Free. You put the softener in the wash. We also don't use fabric softener in the summer because static electricity isn't a problem then.

I also leave clothes in the dryer quite often, and have never had a fire started by static electricity. I don't usually use dryer sheets, but I have in the past. Even with dryer sheets you can still get static elect. and not all loads have static, just certain types of fabric and they are probably supposed to be dried with low heat. Good luck. You might check out snopes.com for more info too.
A.

Never heard of that...maybe google it or ask the dryer maker...? Good luck.

Hello! Yes I have heard of this. A T.V station had a segment on this...It's similiar to a smoldering fire..(the coles).All that heat of the clothes just sit there in the dryer and that heat has no where to escape;and then the clothes get so hot that they catch on fire..It can even happen when the clothes are left in a clothes basket.. Hope this helped..S.

The main problem with fires in dryers is not cleaning out the lint trap. That is highly flamable and the static could be a problem with that. I have a friend who's husband is a firefighter. He says you must clean the lint trap every time you use the dryer. Also if you were using dryer sheets. Clean your lint trap with soap and water. The dryer sheets can put a build up on the wire and cause problems.

Regarding the eczema, I suffer myself and found an oil based liquid body soap that has helped me immensely. You can buy it at Lush in Northpark Mall - or online at www.lush.com. Its called Olive Branch.

Yes!! I almost burned my house down a few days ago. Dryer was off and no lint on filter. I stuck my hand in to grab something, closed the door and turned the dryer off. 2 hrs later i get a call at work saying my dryer was on fire. Nothing burned but the clothes inside the dryer. Was definitely not lint! I'm OCD...IT CAN HAPPEN!

I have seen little "static reducing balls" you can use in the laundry- chemical free. I've seen them in stores like Bed Bath and Beyond.

Never had a fire from static electricity in the dryer. But there are those rubber balls you can buy for dryers to help with clothes and they have no chemicals. They seem to work fine. A.

I think that saying is hog-wash! I've been told by many people that dryer sheets actually do very little but add scent to the clothes and coat the lint trap with a film. I know MANY PEOPLE (me included) that have never or now don't use dryer sheets and have never heard of static starting a fire or even the possibility of a "static fire"

I do plumbing for a living and have never heard of static causing a fire. But if you do not clean the lint filter, that will cause a fire. Try one of those blue balls that you can stick in the dryer, I saw it on the deal or dud on channel 4 news and the said it was a deal. Made the clothes softer and they dried quicker!! Good thing is that there are no chemicals. Good luck!

Linen can start fires in the laundry and shouldn't be left in it but I am pretty sure your clothes are not linen! I wouldn't worry too much!

I have never heard of a fire starting from static in the dryer. On another note, I would recommend using some dryer balls to help with static plus adding vinegar to the rinse cycle of the washer to help reduce static. Have you tried using any of the organic fabric softners and see if they effect his eczema?

I think the fires come from lint in the dryer. Perhaps static can make a spark-"they" do warn about static from cell phones causing fires at gas stations.

Just to add, we've been using dryer sachets from Trader Joe's. They're just lavender in soft pouches. They smell nice and do help with static a little. I feel good about them since they're all natural; you can toss the used pouches after about 5-10 uses in the compost or on the carpet for vacuuming. You have to know someone near a Trader Joe's to get them-they don't ship, sadly.

The fires only happen with a buildup of lint. When the excess lint gets on the open flame of a gas dryer or the heating element of an electric dryer it will light up like a tinder box! I leave clothes in my dryer all the time and I don't use sheets or softener. Keep your lint trap clean and check the vent once in a while and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.
Jess

Clean out the dryer lint trays. Hang nylon items or thin cotton items on coat hangers. If you have a stair railing or can install a rod in your laundry room, you can hang clothes there to dry. Does not take long for nylon/thin cotton items to dry... Then toss the heavier items in the dryer for 30 minutes but monitor the time. If items are still not totally dry, set dryer for another 20 minutes... Clean the lint tray each time. Good luck.

I noticed that you said that your husbands doctor said no fabric softner at all. Downy now makes one that is scent free. You may check with them to see if you can use that. My son also is suppose to not use fabric softner but I believe it is because of the scents in it. The one I use on all of our clothes does not have any scent in them. I know that doesn't really have to do with your question but if you are like me it drives me crazy to not use any fabric softner.

I never use dryer sheets or fabric softener & have never had an issue with this. I *do* worry about fire with my very old dryer... I am afraid that the lint in the dryer or exhaust could cause a fire, but never the static.

Could it happen? possibly, but I would not think that it would be a reason to use fabric softener. I've never seen a warning on a dryer saying that you *must* use fabric softener to avoid fire.

I NEVER uses a fabric softener, and haven't ever had any trouble with my dryer. And this is years of experience.

My husband is a recently retired firefighter of 34 years. He said it can start a fire if the lint builds up. Keep the lint trap clean and check the exhaust pipe that goes outside to make sure it is not built up with lint.