Although widespread in Quebec homes, dryer sheets aren’t as nice as you might think.
Four home experts interviewed by the Today Show in the United States said dryer sheets can cause long-term damage to your dryer, including coating the sensors inside the machine with wax.
Using fabric softener sheets can increase drying time over time because the filter can become coated with wax.
One way to check if your filter is covered with wax is to run it under water. If the water doesn’t pass through, you know it’s less efficient than it could be. An expert says you can clean it with soap and a toothbrush and it will look like new.
Fabric softener sheets are also highly flammable and can catch fire quickly if caught in the dryer element.
Experts suggest that tennis balls and wool dryer balls are quality alternatives to dryer sheets to reduce static electricity.
There are also reusable dryer sheets that may be an option to consider.
