Best Homemade Dryer Sheet Replacements
Dryer sheets are used to soften your clothes, prevent static build-up, and make your clothes feel fresh. However, a lot of people are concerned about using dryer sheets since these contain toxic ingredients such as harmful fragrance chemicals and even acetone or ammonium compounds that may cause headaches, asthma attacks, and other health problems. Plus, they can also get stuck in the lint filter and may reduce the operating efficiency of your dryer to the point where you have to search for dryer repair near me online to seek professional help.
Fortunately, it is not that difficult to create DIY dryer sheet replacements that are more skin-friendly, eco-friendly and would allow you to save money. Here are a few dryer sheet replacements that you may use:
1. Homemade Dryer Sheets
To create homemade dryer sheets, you need to gather the following materials:
Several washcloths or rags
Glass container with a tight lid
About ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar
About six to eight drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus, tea tree, or lemon.
Here are the steps you need to follow to create eco-friendly homemade dryer sheets:
Mix essential oil and vinegar in a bowl and keep it aside for later use.
Fold the washcloths or rags and stack them vertically inside another container.
Slowly pour the vinegar and oil mixture over the wash clothes until they become slightly damp. Make sure not to overpour the solution and soak the rags. The excess remaining solution can be used as a fabric softener for washes.
When you are ready to use your dryer, take out a damp cloth and toss it into the dryer. However, make sure to wring the washcloth you want to use over the jar to clear the excess vinegar first.
When the job is done, you can return the washcloth or rag to the jar to re-damp it with the solution. And, when the solution is used up, you can add some more as required.
2. Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls are a popular dryer sheet alternative since they are easy to make and dry much faster. However, if you don't like to craft things by hand, you may find creating these a little time-consuming. Fortunately, these are easily available for cheap at grocery stores and their reusable nature makes them a great investment.
Plus, these are a safe alternative to scented dryer sheets since they lack any harmful chemicals. However, if you miss the scent or fragrance of typical dryer sheets, you may add 2-3 drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus or lavender to create scented dryer balls. Just be sure to dry them properly before tossing them with your clothes. Otherwise, there is a chance that the oil would transfer to your clothes while washing. Depending on the type of essential oil you use to create the scented dryer balls, the scent could last for 3 to 6 wash cycles.
Another reason why you may want to use dryer balls is that they help to reduce static in clothes while washing since they help air circulation by bouncing around inside the dryer. You can further improve the efficiency of the process by inserting a few safety pins inside the dryer balls which act as micro lighting rods to redirect any static charge.
3. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural cleaning product that is easily available to the masses and works as a great alternative to dryer sheets to soften up your clothes without leaving any scent or residue. This fabric softener works by regulating the pH level of the water and suspending mineral deposits in the water that make clothes feel stiffer.
Measure about ¼ cup of baking soda and pour it into the detergent dispenser or sprinkle it over your clothes before starting the wash cycle. Then, simply wash as you normally do and dry your clothes in the machine. Alternatively, you may prefer to hang dry your clothes.
4. Vinegar
Another great natural dryer sheet alternative that is easily available in any kitchen is vinegar. It works by dissolving soap residue and acts as a great fabric softener. Both apple cider vinegar and distilled white vinegar perform just as well and leave no smell behind after washing, only super soft clothes.
Simply add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar to a washcloth in order to dampen it and toss it into the dryer along with the clothes you want to wash. Then, just wash as normal. If you are still worried about the smell, you may add an amount lower than mentioned above.
Note - Never add both vinegar and baking soda to a single wash cycle. The two substances would react vigorously and create a gigantic foam explosion!
5. Aluminum Foil Balls
When you don't have any vinegar or baking available in your kitchen and you are short on time to create homemade dryer sheets, you may use aluminum foil balls as a dryer sheet replacement. These don't act as a fabric softener but reduce static cling and drying time.
The best part is that these are reusable, and one aluminum foil ball should last you a couple of wash cycles.
To create aluminum foil balls, all you have to do is tear off a large strip of aluminum foil and scrunch it up to the size of a fist or baseball. Then, simply toss the aluminum foil ball into the dryer with your laundry and dry as you would normally do. When the job is done, take out the aluminum foil ball and store it someplace safe for future use.
6. Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are your last resort when you have nothing available near you that acts as a fabric softener or reduces static. You can toss a few ice cubes into your dryer along with your laundry and crank up the dryer to the highest temperature supported by the machine to eliminate wrinkles.
If you frequently find yourself searching for "dryer repair near me" online, maybe it's time to eliminate the use of dryer sheets that clog up your dryer and prevent airflow and use any of the alternatives mentioned above.