Laundry Fragrance Booster Pellets and Kids
The Bottom Line
Laundry fragrance boosters are scented, dissolvable beads intended to extend the smell of fresh laundry for weeks beyond the wash date. Currently available products are relatively safe even when swallowed by children.
The Full Story
Laundry fragrance boosters are fairly new to the market. They promise to extend the smell of fresh laundry for weeks beyond the wash date. This could mean that a towel washed 3 weeks ago and sitting in a linen closet smells fresh when you take it out to use.
The technology behind these products works in multiple different ways. They are primarily made from something that will dissolve quickly and also adhere to or incorporate into the fabrics that they touch. They have fragrances that are immediately noticeable but are also slow release to persist for weeks.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000 is a common ingredient in laundry fragrance boosters. Polyethylene glycols can be found in many everyday products. For example, PEG 3350 is a well-known laxative that is taken prior to a colonoscopy. The number after the name stands for the average molecular weight of the PEG in a product. As the number increases, the toxicity of the product actually decreases. Numbers higher than PEG 3000 are not readily absorbed.
If a small amount, such as a taste, of a PEG-containing laundry fragrance booster is unintentionally swallowed, there is generally minimal need for concern in terms of toxicity. There can be some minor irritation in the mouth. A drink of choice should be given to dilute it—no more than 8 oz for adults and 4 oz for children is enough. Even a mouthful in a child will likely be safe enough to be managed at home; however, it is likely that there will be stomach upset, nausea, and perhaps some vomiting. Never try to make someone vomit.
If someone has swallowed or tasted a laundry fragrance booster, please log onto the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool for guidance or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Whether you log on or call, expert assistance is available 24 hours a day.
Pela Soto, PharmD, BSHS Pharmacogenomics, BS Microbiology
Certified Specialist in Poison Information
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- These products can have vibrant colors and pleasant scents that are attractive to children. Keep out of children’s sight and reach.
- Fragrance booster pellets are meant to be poured right from the container. They will dissolve in your hand. If you or a child touches or picks up a pellet, wash hands with soap and water.
This Really Happened
A 4-year-old girl took a laundry fragrance booster bead and stuck it up her nose. Her father could no longer see the pellet and was worried so he called Poison Control, which advised him to have his daughter blow her nose and have a drink of water. Since these products dissolve quickly, Poison Control felt that it would dissolve and run down the back of her throat. The father was advised to call again with any problems. Poison Control called back 6 hours later and was told that the girl had no symptoms after blowing her nose and drinking water.For More Information
References
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- These products can have vibrant colors and pleasant scents that are attractive to children. Keep out of children’s sight and reach.
- Fragrance booster pellets are meant to be poured right from the container. They will dissolve in your hand. If you or a child touches or picks up a pellet, wash hands with soap and water.