Did you know that dryer sheets are one of the most toxic items you probably have in your house right now?
No, really.
Dryer sheets are terrible for you. They have nasty chemicals in them that have been known to cause all kinds of cancer. Having your clothes smell “Downy Fresh” is just not worth the risk.
For the last year or so, I have been on a mission to get toxins out of our lives – from personal care products to cleaning products, and everything in between. One item that has been on the more difficult side to replicate with a natural product is dryer sheets.
For some time, I used the Seventh Generation dryer sheets, and they were pretty good, and compostable to boot. But, I wasn’t sold that they were totally “good for you.”
Then, I discovered something completely natural: Wool dryer balls.
It sounds odd.
But, these balls made of wool do a great job as a fabric softener, and, amazingly, speed up drying times a bit. They are not as good as a chemical dryer sheet at removing static cling, but they are equally as good, if not better than the Seventh Generation sheets at both softening and static cling management.
If you want a bit of natural scent to go with them, you can add a wet washcloth with a few drops of your favorite essential oil on it to the load when you put it in the dryer.
The literature on these dryer balls says that they last for years, so they are pretty darn economical.
What do you think? Would you try wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets?
View Comments (3)
I just made these–super easy.
Also, to help with static cling, try aluminum foil.
I’ve also replaced liquid fabric softener with vinegar. Works great.
JoDee, you are so crafty! Awesome, thank you for the link! What a fun and practical DIY project. I didn’t even think to try making them first.
For static cling, I also read that safety pins on a small cloth works great. Probably similar to the foil – redirects the electrical charge.
I have been using vinegar in the washer as well for fabric softener, and it has the added benefit of helping remove odor. Win, win.
Thank you again!
I’m trying to go as chemical free as I can so appreciate any posts you have on these topics. I have been stocking up on supplies to make my own cleaning and beauty supplies–when it makes sense and I have time. I’ll have to try the safety pin trick… that seems better than aluminum foil for some reason.