***This was originally posted on my first company's (Moonlit Garden Aromatherapy) website back in 2017***
I have been asked several questions about Essential Oils and common uses, and one of them is about the use of Essential Oils on dryer balls. For the record, I don't recommend putting EOs on dryer balls. There are a few different reasons why this is the case.
Oils are flammable
First, is the flammability factor. This is not just myth, it is so prevalent in Great Britain that they have issued warnings concerning the outbreak of fires in dryers from towels that have absorbed EOs. Julian Parsons, from the Technical Fire Safety Department explained that the problem is in the repeated washing of these clothing items with EO dryer balls. Towels, etc, will absorb these oils, which may not be removed with detergent. “The oil isn’t removed from the fabric. When the material is then heated in the tumble dryer, the residue can self-combust either in the dryer or when the linen is stacked.” This means that even after the towels are being removed from the dryer, they are later catching on fire because the oils in them are still at flashpoint and are still agitated.
There are flammability warnings are all over our dryers and our washing machines and they need to be taken seriously. Essential oils are like any other chemical compound out there. They have a flashpoint; which means they will catch on fire when they reach a certain temperature. It is for this very reason that they are not recommended for use in wax warmers or used to bolster the scent of candles.
It puts the oils on the skin
Another reason I do not believe in adding these oils to dryer balls is that several people who have broken out in mysterious rashes have contacted me. Once we did some investigating, we figured out they were putting EOs on their dryer balls. When you put Essential Oils on dryer balls you're, in essence, putting neat essential oils on your clothing. When the dryer is running, it's heating up the oils on the balls and then those balls are beating the oils into the clothing. After that, you are putting the clothing on your skin. So you are putting neat oils on your skin or against your skin for a long period of time by wearing the clothing. Doing this repeatedly can increase your risk of developing a reaction, and this can be even more problematic if you sweat and your pores open up.
Chemicals can change
Next, Not only are those oils applied to the clothing, they are applied at a high temperature. The high temperature can change the chemical structure of the oil itself. This can greatly affect those EOs that are high in monoterpenes. These essential oils include most citruses, Frankincense, Tea Tree oil, etc. What it does when it changes the chemical structure is that it can give you a higher chance of developing a rash or becoming sensitive to it. This is one reason why it is highly recommended to keep those specific oils stored in a dark cool place.
"It is for these reasons that I firmly against putting EOs on dryer balls. If you need more information about the fires resulting from EOs, please see this link: http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/News/Newsdesk/PressReleaseArticle.cfm?ReleaseID=635&siteCategoryId=3&T1ID=26&T2ID=36