On medium to high heat, the dryer runs at 135° F. This means the potential for ignition exists because the oil's flashpoint is low enough and the heat of the dryer is high enough.
If you add excessive amounts of essential oils to your dryer, they create a fire hazard. This risk arises from the oils' volatile nature and their tendency to ignite under intense heat.
Add 4-6 drops of essential oil to the cloth or sheet, and toss it into the dryer with your laundry during the drying cycle. The heat helps release the scent onto your clothes.
Why? Essential oils have flashpoints, which is the temperature at which the oils will turn into vapor, with the potential of heat or another ignition source causing a fire. While dryers can range in temperature, most tend to get to around 125 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's important to understand that essential oils are highly flammable, which limits the amount we can safely use. While we strive to create wonderfully scented candles, our primary responsibility is to ensure they are safe to burn.
When essential oils are heated beyond their recommended temperature, they may produce harmful chemical byproducts that can irritate the respiratory system and even cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. For instance, eucalyptus oil contains cineole, which can become toxic when burned at high temperatures.
Yes, peppermint oil is a flammable substance and can catch fire if exposed to an ignition source, such as a spark or flame.
Flammable Items in the Dryer
Placing flammable items, such as rubber, foam, plastic, or soiled with flammable substances, in the dryer can cause them to ignite under high heat. Items like clothes stained with cooking oil, gasoline, or cleaning agents can catch fire in the dryer.
After your clothes have dried, add 3-4 drops of your favorite essential oils to the dryer balls and run the dryer again on a cool Air Fluff cycle for 10 minutes. Our laundry collection is ideal for a clean aroma!
Before drying your next load of laundry, add your favorite doTERRA essential oil to 4–6 dryer balls, toss them in the dryer, and enjoy the soft, fluffy, wonderful-smelling fruits of your labor.
Store away from heat and light: Exposure to heat and light is not good for an essential oil. The best place to store the bottle or container is in a cool, dry place such as a medicine cabinet or kitchen cupboard. Do not leave the bottle out so it is exposed to direct sunlight or other forms of light and heat.
Enter dryer balls infused with your favorite scented oils. These nifty little balls not only cut down on drying time and reduce wrinkles, but they also leave your clothes smelling divine. Simply add a few drops of your preferred oil, toss them into the dryer, and voila!
Because of their flammable properties and the fact that dryer machines can run on pretty hot settings, you should never add essential oils directly in your dryer. We recommend putting a couple of drops of your preferred essential oil to wool dryer balls, which will be added to your load.
Essential oils can be flammable, which means they should never be added directly to your dryer, just in case. However, experts say that they can be safely used when applied to wool dryer balls or washcloths, for a homemade dryer sheet.
Essential oils are flammable. Do not add essential oils to dryer sheets.
Lint is the leading cause of dryer fires. It's highly flammable, and it's everywhere. Lint naturally accumulates in your dryer and dryer exhaust system.
Clothes dryer fires are more common than you might think. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
Cooking. Unattended cooking is listed as the number one cause of residential fires.
Start with about 2-3 drops of essential oil per dryer ball. This should give your laundry a light, fresh scent. For a stronger aroma, you can go up to 5-6 drops, but be careful not to overdo it. Remember, essential oils are potent—a little truly goes a long way!
On the other end of the spectrum, oils that are not as flammable include cedarwood, basil, myrrh, clove, lemongrass, vetiver, patchouli, and ylang ylang. While some are more flammable than others, it's wise to treat all essential oils as flammable substances.
When it comes to essential oils, a little goes a long way. Generally, just a few drops added to your washing machine's rinse cycle or a damp washcloth thrown in the dryer will suffice. Overdoing it can lead to residues on your clothes and might overwhelm the gentle scents you're aiming for.
The short answer is yes, pure essential oils are flammable. Essential oils are extracted directly from plant's volatile or combustible compounds or are concentrated preparations of those compounds.
Low heat methods like gentle warming using a diffuser or warm water bath are recommended to preserve the delicate balance of the oils. Direct flame exposure should be avoided as it can cause rapid degradation of the volatile compounds present in the oils, leading to a loss of their beneficial properties.
Inhaling peppermint oil can result in irritation of the nose and throat, cough, and shortness of breath from the menthol. If you become symptomatic after inhaling peppermint oil, leave the area and breathe fresh air. If symptoms persist, you may need to seek medical care.