Reduce the amount of waste and harmful chemicals in your house by making your own reusable dryer sheets! They’re cheap, easy to use, and are better for your clothes as well as the environment. Not only do disposable dryer sheets produce waste by being single-use and non-compostable, but some also contain fragrances or other chemicals that can trigger asthma and disrupt hormones. If you’re not able to hang your clothes out to dry in the sun, throwing them in a dryer is the next best option. Homemade dryer sheets will keep your clothes feeling fresh, soft, and without static cling. Here’s how you can make your own to keep your household green and safe.
What You’ll Need:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 6-8 drops essential oil
- Several pieces of old cloth
- Glass container with a wide mouth and tight-sealing lid
Photo by: The Spruce
Instructions:
1.Fold each cloth and place each one into the container.
Photo by: The Spruce
2. In a separate bowl or jar, mix ½ cup white vinegar and 6-8 drops of your favorite essential oil.
Photo by: The Spruce
3. Pour the vinegar mixture over the cloths in the jar until they are damp. Do not completely saturate them. Save any excess vinegar to use as a fabric softener in the next wash load.
Photo by: The Spruce
4. Once you’re ready to dry a load of laundry, take a cloth out of the jar. Wring it out over the jar and toss it into the dryer with your wet clothes.
Photo by: The Spruce
5. When the dryer has finished its cycle, place the cloth back into the jar to save for the next load.
Photo by: The Spruce
6. Add scented vinegar to the jar as needed to keep the cloths moist.
Sources: Composting Basics, The Spruce, Pure Living Space