swabbing with dryer sheets?

[Red9]

anyone use old dryer sheets to clean your pistol? just curious as it seems like a good use for those old sheets.
dino

[customiiguy]

I use old socks

[Kablemodem]

Dryer sheets are for cleaning the dust out of your tumbling media.

[Red9]

Dryer sheets are for cleaning the dust out of your tumbling media.

wow good tip.

i also use, old socks, t shirts, but i like the dryer sheets, they make my fingers nice and soft, and it smells good too. lol

[The Gleam]

anyone use old dryer sheets to clean your pistol? just curious as it seems like a good use for those old sheets.
dino

Sounds reasonable, and they are lint free, but I wonder if there would be anything on them in the way of residue from the chemicals used to "soften" clothing, that could potentially be corrosive.

[Red9]

Sounds reasonable, and they are lint free, but I wonder if there would be anything on them in the way of residue from the chemicals used to "soften" clothing, that could potentially be corrosive.

yes, thats why i posted the question. figured someone with the know, would chime in?

[The Gleam]

yes, thats why i posted the question. figured someone with the know, would chime in?

Well, just now I grabbed a box of "Gain" dryer sheets that were in reach. The box says nothing more than "contains cationic softeners and perfume". It also says it's "not for use on children's flame-resistant clothing as it may reduce flame resistance."

That last part might reduce your muzzle-flash on that 4" barrel Smith & Wesson .500.

So, looking up "chemicals in dryer sheets" I found this - but it's more aimed at feel-good save-the-whales points as opposed to citing anything corrosive. I don't think any of these chemicals would remain after running through the dryer in a way that could be corrosive. The two worst ones that might do that would likely be BENZYL ALCOHOL and BENZYL ACETATE but I suspect both of these get released in the dryer and "bake" out:

http://www.amillionwaystogogreen.com/dangerous-toxic-chemicals-found-in-dryer-sheets-and-fabric-softeners/

There are a number of harmful chemicals found in traditional household dryer sheets that you should avoid. To soften clothing, a number of harsh agents are added to dryer sheets and fabric softeners.

PENTANE
LINALOOL
LIMONENE
ETHYL ACETATE
CHLOROFORM
CAMPHOR
BENZYL ALCOHOL
BENZYL ACETATE
ALPHA-TERPINEOL

[SonofWWIIDI]

Dryer sheets are for cleaning the dust out of your tumbling media.

Or for eliminating static in your automatic powder dispenser.

[AreWeFree]

I don't have any inclination to use dryer sheets to clean my firearms... but here is a link to the MSDS for P&G dryer sheets, if anyone is interested:

http://www.pg.com/productsafety/msds/fabric_and_homecare/fabric_conditioner/Gain_Dryer_Sheets_-_All_Varieties.pdf

I have no idea how Octadecanoic Acid reacts to different finishes.

[Click Boom]

I wouldn't do it.

[wpod]

Dryer sheets make your dryers lint screen water resistant. The screen will actually hold water. Your dryer has to work harder/longer costing money.
I stopped buying dryer sheets years ago.