Easy Dryer Sheet Alternatives

How is it that we have come to rely so heavily on putting a sheet of heavily scented paper in our dryer every time we do the laundry? I did a little research and discovered that scented dryer sheets were an invention of the 1970's as a way to deliver fabric softeners more effectively.  Today, we know that scented laundry products contain toxic chemicals and even known carcinogens. Don't you wish we had left the dryer sheets behind with the pet rocks and the purple shag carpeting?

Fortunately, there are safer ways to scent, soften & reduce static in your laundry if you so desire:

Scent:

• Toss a lavender sachet into your dryer. You can easily make your own or buy them on Etsy but I admit to buying them from Trader Joe's occasionally.
• Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a reusable cloth in the dryer.

Soften:

• Add 1/2 cup of baking soda in with your detergent in the wash cycle. Baking soda is a natural water softener.
• Vinegar is also popular for softening laundry. About 1/2 cup in the fabric softener container should do the trick.
• Soak a cotton cloth in your favorite eco-friendly fabric softener. Squeeze out any excess liquid and toss in the dryer.

Static:

• Dry synthetic fabrics separately from natural fibers as synthetics tend to create more static cling.
• Throw a dryer ball or a tennis ball into the dryer to help eliminate static. I love these handmade, wool dryer balls from Etsy!*
• Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Don't worry, your favorite shirt won't smell like a pickle - the vinegar smell dissipates in the wash!

Do you use dryer sheets or have you come up with an alternative that works for you?

*Brooke from matchstickgirl on Etsy just emailed me and offered a 10% discount on her dryer balls - just use code mindfulmomma at checkout! I'm buying some, how about you?

Notes: This post is linked over at Healthy Child, Healthy World and Your Green Resource .

Comments

[Micaela]

Hi Amie - funny you should ask about the wool dryer balls. I bought a package of 6 but I only use 3 at a time. I am planning to give the other 3 as a gift! My understanding is that they last forever! They certainly haven't changed since I purchased them and they work like a charm! Best of luck with your little one!

[Nathan]

I heard that you can eliminate static by hooking a safety pin on to your garments before putting them into the dryer. Since the pin is made out of metal, it will attract the static leaving your clothes static free!

[Linda]

I never cared much for dryer sheets, an expense I really did not want to pay and the fire hazard in dryers is another reason. I started using the plastic (or whatever they are made of)dryer balls when they came out about 25 or so years ago. If I had my druthers, I would hang clothes outside to dry all the time. Love the smell of clothes and especially sheets hung outside. I have many times started to dry clothes in dryer to get wrinkles out and then finish on the line outside.