Stop using dryer sheets right now! (2023)

FAQs

Is it better to not use dryer sheets? ›

Can You Dry Clothes Without A Dryer Sheet? In a nutshell, yes! You absolutely don't need to use dryer sheets when you dry your clothes. Fortunately, if you decide to forgo dryer sheets, that doesn't mean you have to live with static cling and stiff clothes.

You might have noticed on some tags, especially with athletic and performance clothing, they specifically say NOT to use fabric softeners. This is because the waxy coating can interfere with moisture-wicking and absorption properties.

Just lightly dampen a wash cloth with apple cider vinegar and throw it in the dryer with your clothes. The vinegar prevents static cling and make your clothes softer. You can also use apple cider vinegar instead of liquid fabric softener in the wash cycle.

Dryer balls are a chemical-free, economical alternative to fabric softener and dryer sheets. They are made from either plastic or wool and are used to reduce drying time, decrease static cling, and soften clothes. Unlike other alternatives, dryer balls do not contain any compounds or ions.

Fabric softener's better but still has problems

Fabric softener doesn't have all the problems that dryer sheets have. As long as you use the right amount, clothes should come out soft and static-free. Also, most brands don't affect absorbency or wicking, according to Consumer Reports.

But dryer sheets can be costly, and some even leave a “slimy” layer on clothing that can damage the fabric and the color. Instead, try aluminum foil. Roll up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. This helps to reduce static electricity and keep clothes crisp.

Check out some of the safe alternatives to dryer sheets such as wool dryer balls, aluminum foil balls, reusable lavender dryer bags, soap nuts, vinegar, and baking soda.

If you don't have a dryer and it's a cold and wet day, you can still get your bed sheets dry inside your home. Simply hang over a large clothes horse and perhaps use a freestanding fan to help with airflow. You can also hang smaller sheets over radiators, and these will dry quicker.

Are dryer balls bad for your dryer? Luckily wool is not as dense as synthetic materials, so wool dryer balls won't damage your machine as they bounce around during a drying cycle. Be sure not to overload your dryer with clothes.

Use homemade citrus oils.

Mix one cup baking soda, one half cup Borax with one cup white vinegar and 20 drops of lemon or orange citrus oil. Add this mixture to your bottle of laundry detergent and use as normal.

Is there a natural fabric softener? ›

The Kitchen Concoction: Baking Soda & Vinegar

With a few items found in your kitchen pantry, you can mix up your own natural fabric softener. All you need is water, baking soda and vinegar, plus a few drops of essential oils if you'd like it scented. Stir until mixed and add in one-part vinegar (ex: one-half cup).

Add Vinegar To The Rinse Cycle: Vinegar supposedly works as both a fabric softener and static reducer. I added ½ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle of the washing machine. The vinegar works like a fabric softener to stop clothes from getting stiff.

Use fabric conditioner in the wash, as it helps reduce friction and static as well as giving fabrics a soft, fluffy feel. If you're trying to cut down on chemicals, white vinegar works as a natural fabric softener and will help reduce static.

Using white vinegar in the dryer is another great trick for eliminating static. Simply spray a clean washcloth, sock, pre-cut piece of cloth or any other garment with vinegar. This item is then tossed into the dryer with everything else.

The belief is that tennis balls can soften items in the dryer as well as speed up the amount of time it takes to fully dry. Luckily, the trick does seem to work, so rather than resorting to a chemical-based fabric softener, you can simply toss in a few tennis balls (as long as they're clean!).

Speed Up Drying Times

Besides reducing wrinkles and fluffing towels, a few tennis balls can help speed up drying time, so your laundry will be done faster.

Aside from leaving fabrics smelling fresh and feeling soft, dryer sheets provide an important safety service. They help eliminate static on clothing. Static can cause dryer fires if a spark ignites debris in the lint trap. (An important reason to keep the lint trap clean.)

“Not only can it irritate sensitive skin, but it can also leave a layer of residue on your clothes and reduce the absorption of your towels,” he told us. Fabric softeners work by depositing a layer of electrically charged chemical compounds on fabric.

Dryer sheets work well for most everyday items made of natural fibers, such as cotton shirts, pants and socks, but it's best to avoid using dryer sheets on athleticwear & microfiber, towels, flame-resistant clothing and water-repellent fabric.

Here's some information you might find surprising: One of the ways to prevent all kinds of wrinkles in your clothes is to dry them with a dryer sheet, which contains softening agents. Bounce® dryer sheets works to relax wrinkles and soften creases in your clothes.

Why wrap foil around door knob? ›

People often wrap tin foil around your door knobs when home alone to make it more difficult for burglars to enter the home. This is an especially effective measure if you have a glass door, as wrapping tin foil around the doorknob will make it much harder for a burglar to break the glass in order to gain entry.

Unsurprisingly, vinegar is a great replacement for dryer sheets! Either add 1/4 cup of vinegar to the wash cycle for softer clothes or dampen a washcloth with vinegar and throw that into the dryer. White or apple cider vinegar works.

Instead, use dryer balls. Wool balls are a popular option, but the old-fashioned tennis ball trick works, too. Simply add a few tennis balls to the dryer when drying towels and linens, and they will fluff up the clothes and circulate the air inside the dryer, without adding chemicals.

Most dryer sheets contain the ingredient linalool, which can be found in plants like lavender, basil, and coriander, all of which naturally repel common garden pests. Similar studies found that this ingredient is also useful for repelling bugs like mites, weevils, beetles, and German cockroaches.

They reduce static because they absorb humidity at the start of the drying cycle, then release it at the end. Over-drying clothes and bedding breeds static electricity, and humidity is the key to eliminating it. According to Amy, the biggest benefits of Wool Dryer Balls include: Reduce drying time.

Since they wouldn't agitate against other clothes, they would just be rinsed. The same thing happens in the dryer. If you throw a set of sheets with clothes, then the drying time would be a lot longer. Because clothes would get trapped between the sheets, they wouldn't get enough heat to dry correctly.

Cons Of Dryer Balls:

Make a loud noise when drying clothes. Wool can fall off with extended use and move into the lint drawer. Not as effective with large loads of laundry.

Performance comparison

According to Parachute Home, wool dryer balls are often better when it comes to overall performance. This is because of their absorbent material that draws water away from the clothes allowing them to dry faster.

How often should you wash dryer balls? ›

If you only use the wool dryer balls once or twice a week, then it's best to clean them once every two to three months. On the other hand, if you use them more than once a week, I recommend cleaning them once a month because of the build-up that can occur over time.

You obviously don't want to put a paper towel through the wash, but you can throw your scented paper towel in the dryer just like a dryer sheet to impart a lovely scent on all your freshly laundered clothes.

Absorb any nasty odors by placing a small bowl of baking soda at the bottom of your wardrobe. Freshen clothes between washes by chucking them in the dryer with a Gain Dryer Sheet for a few minutes or spritzing some Original Febreze with Gain Scent Fabric Refresher on them.

Recipe 2: Epsom Salt Option

Make your own fabric softener crystals by adding 40 drops of essential oils of your choosing to two cups of epsom salts (or coarse salt), and a half cup of baking soda. Add ingredients to a mason jar and shake well to coat all granules.

When paired with your laundry detergent, ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda uses the power of pure sodium bicarbonate — a natural occurring substance — to: Neutralize odors by balancing pH levels, and. Soften wash water, so you can use less detergent or bleach — and make it more effective.

Static electricity happens more often during the colder seasons because the air is drier, and it's easier to build up electrons on the skin's surface. In warmer weather, the moisture in the air helps electrons move off of you more quickly so you don't get such a big static charge.

Rub the clinging areas with a damp cloth or paper towel. Increasing humidity will offer temporary relief of electrostatic forces. Run a wire clothes hanger or piece of aluminum foil between the clinging areas. The metal helps discharge the electricity, thereby removing the static.

This is due to the fact that dry air is an electrical insulator and this shocking or clinging static buildup often happens in the winter months when the air has a lower humidity rate. And the dry, hot air in a tumble dryer can cause even more static electricity in clothes, hence why your clothes may be staticky.

How do I get rid of static without a dryer? ›

Hang Clothes to Dry: You can eliminate static cling by skipping the dryer altogether and hanging your clothes up to dry either outside or inside on a drying rack. Either way, you'll not only stop static, but you'll reduce your energy bill and be doing something good for the health of the planet.

Instead, try aluminum foil. Roll up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. This helps to reduce static electricity and keep clothes crisp. Plus, it will not leave any grime on your clothing, and it can be reused for 1-2 months, which can save a lot of money on your laundry!

The repeated friction, much like rubbing socks on a carpet, results in the transfer of electrons between material, charging them with either positive or negative values. Like a magnet, these opposites attract, creating static electricity. This effect is enhanced with synthetic clothing material, or cold, dry air.

Do I Need Fabric Softener? The simple answer to this question is: no. You don't need to use fabric softener in your wash. Fabric softeners don't contribute to the washing and cleaning of your clothes, so you don't need to worry about stain removal or lingering odors if you leave it out.

Aluminum Dryer Sheets

But dryer sheets can be costly, and some even leave a “slimy” layer on clothing that can damage the fabric and the color. Instead, try aluminum foil. Roll up a sheet of aluminum foil into a ball and throw it in the dryer. This helps to reduce static electricity and keep clothes crisp.

Dryer sheets can also damage or diminish the functionality of some fabrics. Dryer sheets are made to disperse a thin coat of waxy chemicals to your clothing. That waxy chemical layer is what makes the fabrics feel softer and keeps the fabric from clinging to itself.

Avoid Using Fabric Softeners on Certain Fabrics

You'll also want to skip the fabric softener on specialty fabrics like wicking sportswear, flameproof children's clothes or pajamas, or water-resistant items, and synthetic fabrics like polyester or anything containing elastane and nylon (think skinny jeans or leggings).

Mildew and mold buildup are some of the most common culprits of foul-smelling laundry. According to the CDC, mold, and mildew develop in the presence of excessive moisture. You may have excess moisture build-up if you wait too long to transfer your clothes from the washing machine to the dryer.

Besides reducing wrinkles and fluffing towels, a few tennis balls can help speed up drying time, so your laundry will be done faster.

Do dryer balls remove lint? ›

Recharging your dryer balls helps remove any lint and fiber build-up and helps rehydrate over-dried wool fibers. It's recommended to recharge them after every 100 loads by washing them. (Same as above: gentle wash, dry on high heat.) What if my pet gets ahold of them?