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Last Updated on April 16, 2020 by Diane Hoffmaster
Why should you learn how to make natural dryer sheets for your laundry? Because this DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets recipe will save you money on laundry. It also skips the harsh chemicals in traditional dryer sheets. These awesome, eco-friendly and reusable dryer sheets are so easy to make using old rags.
Table of Contents
Why make homemade dryer sheets?
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.
Materials you will need for your natural dryer sheets:
All you really need is vinegar, old sheets, and scissors. However, make sure your scissors are SHARP!
- Large Mason Jar
- Scraps of cloth like old flannel sheets, t shirts or baby blankets
- scissors
- white vinega
- Tee Tree oil
- Essential oil of your choice
Directions for making DIY dryer sheets:
Making your own dryer sheets is easy. You just need some soft scraps of material like old sheets or tshirts. However, many types of material will work. Of course, add essential oils to your desired scent preference or omit if you want them unscented. Keep in mind, however, that tee tree oil does have antibacterial properties which are helpful.
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. Amount is flexible.
4. Add 30 to 40 drops of essential oil of your choice to the vinegar or enough to achieve a nice scent. Remember, 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.
Natural Dryer Sheets For Your Laundry!
Learn how to make natural dryer sheets to save money on laundry. Of course, you get the added benefit of no harsh chemicals! Even better? They are easy to make and smell wonderful!
Natural Dryer Sheets For Your Laundry!
This DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets recipe will save you money on laundry. It also skips the harsh chemicals in traditional dryer sheets. These awesome, eco-friendly and reusable dryer sheets are so easy to make using old rags.
Materials
- Large Mason Jar
- Scraps of cloth like old flannel sheets, t shirts or baby blankets
- white vinegar
- Tee Tree oil
- Essential oil of your choice
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Cut material into pieces about the size of a baby wipe or regular dryer sheet
- Pour approximately 2 cups of white vinegar into the mason jar
- Add 10 drops of Tee Tree oil to the vinegar
- 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)
- Close the lid of the mason jar and shake vigorously
- Open the mason jar and stuff the material pieces in one at a time
- 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.
- You can reuse your scraps of material….just put them back into more vinegar/oil solution.
Diane is a professional blogger and nationally certified pharmacy technician at Good Pill Pharmacy. She has two college aged kids, one husband and more pets than she will admit to. She earned her BS in Microbiology at the University of New Hampshire but left her career in science to become a stay at home mom. Years of playing with LEGO and coloring with crayons had her craving a more grown up purpose to her life and she began blogging and freelance writing full time. You can learn more about her HERE.
Ellen Christian
Sounds like a great alternative to the chemicals in traditional dryer sheets!
Linda Bradshaw
I was looking for something like this to try. Thank you.
Valerie
Does this help with static cling too? That's the main reason I use dryer sheets but I would like a natural alternative.
Diane
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.
Rochelle
For static cling, take tin / aluminum foil about 2-3" wide and tear it into 2-3 pieces and then throw it in the dryer. It doesn't hurt the dryer, it helps to get rid of the electrical charges that build up. I do this all the time and use the foil for several loads. If you're still hesitant on this, then something I just read said to put a couple of safety pins on an item or 2 and they'll do the same thing.
Diane
Thanks! I have heard of that. Am curious about why it works but glad it does!
Small Footprints
What a clever idea ... and very Eco-friendly! Thanks for sharing!
Kristi
How often should you replace the vinegar/oil mix??
Diane
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.
Kristi
Thanks! I can't wait to try this!!!
Tonya @ The Traveling Praters
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!
Mel Lockcuff
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.:)
Courtney
This sounds great! Do you know if this is safe to use with cloth diapers? I don't use any dryer sheets just so I don't even have the residue of them in the dryer when I dry the diapers.
Diane
I have no experience with cloth diapers but I would think it would be fine. many people put vinegar in the wash cycle for cloth and the scent is from pure essential oils which should be okay but not sure. Sorry! Good luck!
LIndsey
How can you get rid of the vinegar smell? Add more essential oils?
Diane
yes, you can add more oils or you can also add a tablespoon or two of an all natural scented conditioner. But the vinegar smell wont be there after the dryer run!
Rochelle
I had to stop using the vinegar & essential oil cause even though the dryer would get rid of the vinegar smell, when my husband was working (aircraft electronic / mechanic) and he gets sweaty, the vinegar smell starts to come back. Several of the guys he works with mentioned it to him.
Diane
huh! Interesting! I wonder why sweat makes it smell more? Or maybe it is heat? I never noticed this but thankyou for letting me know!
Diane
Where do you get the tea tree and essential oils inexpensively?
Diane
I know my local Rite Aid carries tea tree oil but it may be cheaper to buy on amazon. You can check the healthfood store, too. Essential oils can often be found at healthfood stores too but they aren't always cheap. a small bottle does go a long way, though.
amanda
I buy from a company called Back to Basics Log Cabin for essential oils, you can find them on etsy or on facebook.
I buy their tea tree and lavender in 2oz sizes.
April Golightly
Does the oil stain the clothes?
Diane
Not that I have noticed at all. I made sure to really shake up the mixture in the jar before adding the cloths so it was fairly well dispersed.
loup
Do you have to wring the rag before putting it in the dryer? Or soaking wet it goes?
Diane
Nope, just enough to keep it from dripping everywhere!
Cathrin
I've never done the rags in a jar method for dryer sheets, but I frequently put vinegar in the liquid softener compartment of my washer. There's only the slightest vinegar smell to the clothes when I transfer them to the dryer, but it's 100% gone by the time the clothes are dry. Maybe this could be a solution for anyone still smelling vinegar after vinegar rags are used in the dryer? Maybe the rinse cycles in the washer eliminate a good portion of the vinegar scent. So, as an alternative, since I put the vinegar in my washer, do you think I could do a variation on your method by doing a water/oils mixture in a jar with rags, so that the rags are purely for giving a scent boost rather than softening?
Diane
you could certainly try....just make sure to shake well since the oils aren't really very soluble.
Christy
Thanks for this tip. I tried it last night and LOVE it, no more commercial dryer sheets for me. My clothes are so soft. The dryer took away the essential oil smell so I'll try adding more to see if that helps.
I also used the safety pin idea and that worked as well.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Diane
I am so glad you found it helpful! Let me know if adding more essential oil provides a stronger smell!
SG Woodward
I love this idea and made up a batch yesterday. I used one cup of vinegar and 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil. I tested the first sheet on a load of towels and was very pleased that there was absolutely no static at all. I noticed the vinegar smell when I took the towels out and thought that it would go away, but it never did. My husband asked why the towels smell like ketchup! LOL Maybe I'll try to make the next batch with 1/2 cup of vinegar.
Diane
I have heard that adding a tablespoon or two of store bought conditioner will help more with static AND add a pretty scent!