Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Though most of fabric softeners or laundry detergents don t contain petroleum products so are not very harmful to health but in some persons fabric softener inhalation addiction cause significant problems. Most of individuals with obsessions or addictions with smell of fabric softeners have underlying anxiety. This anxiety cause urge to smell the softeners. Though there is no serious risk to health but some times excess smell of softeners might result in harm to respiratory system. To get rid of this addiction I d advise you to please consult a psychiatrist for treatment. Medicines like Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine etc can help to reduce the impulsive smelling of softeners and will relieve the anxiety also. So don t ignore the habit and visit a psychiatrist as early as possible for evaluation. Thanks, Hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.