Laundry can feel like a never ending chore–sorting, treating stains, washing, drying, folding, putting away, and starting all over again. It’s common to add a dryer sheet to a load in an effort to soften textiles, improve odor, and lessen static. However, dryer sheets are not sustainable since they are wasteful, single-use products and many include carcinogenic chemicals. Instead, consider the following alternatives that are better for textiles and the environment.
Wool dryer balls
Wool dryer balls are gaining popularity. As they bounce in the dryer, they soften clothes and speed up drying time, which aids in reducing static. And, they can be used numerous times. While many dryer sheets include artificial fragrances that can cause irritation, you can easily add safe scents to your laundry by adding a few drops of essential oils to each dryer ball. After drying completely, use the balls as usual, and the scent should last for three to six washes.
Alternative dryer sheets
Homemade dryer sheets are extremely affordable. They also allow you to create your own scents, avoid chemicals, and can be reused repeatedly. There are a number of ways to make dryer sheets. These suggestions from Huffstetler (2022) include:
- Purchase chemical-free liquid fabric softener. Dip old washcloths (or fabric scraps, worn cloth napkins, old t-shirts, etc.) in the softener until saturated. Let them dry completely. They can then be used at least a dozen times each before being saturated and dried again.
- Combine vinegar and essential oils and dampen old washcloths in a glass jar. Return cloths to the jar after each use, and add vinegar mixture each month.
Household items
Numerous household items can help you get the end result you want when it comes to laundry.
- You can soften laundry by adding 1/3 cup of salt or baking soda in with the detergent during the wash cycle. Salt and baking soda are natural water softeners (Micaela, n.d.).
- White or apple cider vinegar (about 1/4 cup in the fabric softener slot) can also soften fabric (Petty, 2020).
- You can reduce static by drying synthetic fabrics, which create more static cling, separately from natural fibers.
- Reduce static by adding 1/2 cup of white vinegar to a washer’s rinse cycle; the smell will be washed out (Micaela, n.d.).
- Add a teaspoon of baking soda to the wash cycle to soften clothes–-but do not use both baking soda and vinegar together (Petty, 2020).
- Make a ball of foil about the size of a baseball and toss it in the dryer to help decrease drying time and static (Petty, 2020).
- Of course line drying removes any concern about static cling!
Practicing sustainability
These sustainable laundry additives will make a difference with each load. Finding alternative sources for drying textiles is as easy as looking around your home to see what you already have, saving you money and enabling you to choose a more sustainable solution.
References
Huffstetler, E. (2022, February 28). Learn how to make your own dryer sheets. The Spruce Decor. https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-make-your-own-dryer-sheets-1387950
Micaela. (n.d.). Non-toxic dryer sheet alternatives for naturally soft and fresh laundry. Mindful Momma. https://mindfulmomma.com/easy-dryer-sheet-alternatives/
Petty, A. (2020, August 4). Dryer sheets are out. Try these 8 alternatives instead. Greatist. https://greatist.com/health/dryer-sheet-alternatives#baking-soda
