I am not a huge fan of store bought dryer sheets for a number of reasons. I think they are seriously a waste of money and create a huge amount of unnecessary trash. Not to mention the very fake smell left behind on my clothes, as well as the questionable chemicals involved. Natural News discusses several health problems associated with dryer sheets if you want to learn more about this particular issue. I found a ton of recipes online for homemade dryer sheets but a large number of them use store bought fabric softener. I have the same issues with most fabric softeners as I do with dryer sheets. They contain nasty chemicals, fake smells and are a waste of money. So I started researching some natural dryer sheet alternatives and came up with a very simple solution that involves vinegar and essential oils. Easy enough to make so I thought I would give them a try. Here is my recipe and instructions for making natural dryer sheets if you would like to make your own.
DIY Natural Dryer Sheets
Materials you will need:
Large Mason Jar
Scraps of cloth like old flannel sheets, t shirts or baby blankets
scissors
white vinegar
Tee Tree oil
Essential oil of your choice
Directions:
1. Cut material into pieces about the size of a baby wipe or regular dryer sheet
2. Pour approximately 2 cups of white vinegar into the mason jar
3. Add 10 drops of Tee Tree oil to the vinegar
4. Add 30 to 40 drops of essential oil of your choice to the vinegar or enough to achieve a nice scent (it doesn’t have to be strong, the heat of the dryer will amplify it and dissipate the vinegar smell)
5. Close the lid of the mason jar and shake vigorously
6. Open the mason jar and stuff the material pieces in one at a time
7. Once all the material is in the jar, close the lid and give it a shake. Store tightly closed and use one sheet per load of laundry in your dryer.
8. You can reuse your scraps of material….just put them back into more vinegar/oil solution.
Sounds like a great alternative to the chemicals in traditional dryer sheets!
I was looking for something like this to try. Thank you.
Does this help with static cling too? That’s the main reason I use dryer sheets but I would like a natural alternative.
It gets rid of SOME static but not all. You can also add a few tablespoons of an organic hair conditioner into the mix which is supposed to add more scent and help reduce static even more.
What a clever idea … and very Eco-friendly! Thanks for sharing!
How often should you replace the vinegar/oil mix??
I would say only when it gets low and isnt soaking your rags any more. You might have to add additional essential oil but not often.
Thanks! I can’t wait to try this!!!
I’ve made my own detergent a number of times and have been happy with the results but I’ve not made my own dryer sheets. Mainly because my husband prefers the perfumed scent. After reading the health risks involved, I’m definitely going to break out my Tea Tree Oil and grab another scent to make my own dryer sheets. Thanks for sharing!
We use tea tree oil for quite a few things, including baby wipes when our boys were little. Love that these would be reusable. Great recipe! Thanks so much for linking up to Inspire Me Wednesday! Featuring your recipe in this week’s issue.:)