Dryer sheets or fabric softener sheets often contain compounds like tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC) and triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compounds (TEAQ). These substances serve to soften fabrics and reduce static. Both DTDMAC and TEAQ are typically derived from tallow, which is animal fat obtained primarily from bovine or ovine sources.^[1]

Fundamentally, any method of slaughtering that ensures exsanguination (drainage of blood) from an animal, even if it does not fulfill the criteria of dhabīḥa (process of Islamic slaughter), renders its meat ṭāhir (pure), although it remains impermissible (ḥarām) for consumption.^[2] Given that the USDA requires exsanguination, the tallow used in the process could be deemed ṭāhir. However, given that there may be cases where, due to stunning or other practices in the meat industry, an animal dies prior to its slaughter, rendering its meat impure. Therefore, precaution demands that one abstains from using such dryer sheets and switches to alternatives that do not use animal fat. Nonetheless, there is no need to rewash clothes previously dried with such dryer sheets.

And Allah knows best.

Ml. Nauman Muslehuddin
Student, Darul Iftaa Chicago

Checked and Approved:

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago