If you’re making an effort to transform your home into a more eco-friendly, chemical-free zone, consider replacing your dryer sheets with a few reusable ones! Manufactured dryer sheets are full of chemicals that can often be toxic and if you’re trying to makeover your home environment, swapping them out can be an easy fix. Some benefits of our DIY dryer sheets are that they are reusable, chemical-free, cost-effective, customizable, and most of all… EASY!
You’ll need:
- Large Jar with Sealable Lid
- White Vinegar
- Essential Oil
- Fabric scraps, washcloths, or fabric napkins
How To:
- Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 teaspoon of essential oil. You can adjust this amount to suit your preferences, but I found that that amount gave my clothes the right amount of freshness.
- Stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the jar.
- Place the fabric squares in the jar with the mixture. I folded and stacked mine side by side so that each could be easily pulled out without a mess.
- Place the lid tightly on the jar and turn upside down to distribute the liquid and soak the fabric squares.
- When ready to use simply pull a fabric square from the jar, squeeze slightly to release the excess liquid and toss into the dryer with your laundry! Once dry, fold the fabric and place back in the jar.
- Repeat this process until all the liquid has been used, then stir together another liquid mixture to pour over the fabric sheets.
Some Tips & Tricks
- For our dryer sheets, we used honeysuckle essential oil. It has a light, fresh, floral fragrance that we really like. You can use any scent of essential oil or combination of oils that you’d like- but choose something that will compliment your fresh laundry.
- Using vinegar to freshen your laundry is a wonderful alternative to manufactured dryer sheets. Vinegar is a natural softener and great for static reduction. It also contains acetic acid which will break up mineral deposits and buildup caught in the fabric from previous washing cycles- leaving you with SUPER fresh, clean laundry.
It’s that easy! Let us know if you try out this recipe or any others from our blog. Happy making!
Looking for the best soap making supplies? Check out our website for melt and pour bases, molds, fragrance oils, butters, waxes, and more!
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Bulk Apothecary makes no claims of “expert status” and the company will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website.
As with all products, users should test a small amount prior to normal extended use. If pregnant or suffering from illness, consult a doctor before use.
Wow great idea! I’ve been looking for something just like this! Can’t wait to try it … Thanks
You’re welcome Jacquie!
What size glass jar did you use?
Hi Denise!
We used the 24 oz. one at http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/make-it/candle-making/candle-jars/24oz-country-comfort-jars-lll-cap-not-included-item-3498j/
Happy creating!
I would like to know the quality of Spirulina from China or India
Hi Virgina!
Those are certified organic and 100% pure. You can purchase them at http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/make-it/wine-making/herbs-spices/spirulina-powder/
Happy bulking!
Can you use a fragrance oil or soap scent?
Hi Jenna!
Yes you can use a fragrance oil or soap scent.
Happy creating!
What a wonderful idea! It has cleared up several cases of sneezing already!!
Hi Posh!
Glad it helped.
Happy Bulking!
What dimensions do you recommend for the fabric swatches?
Hi Lena!
16 x 16 is a great size.
Happy creating!
I just tried it after mixing the ingredients and my clothes came out static free but no smell. Help. Too hot dryer maybe?
Hi Louise!
Please try attending about 2-3 drops more of the essential oil.
Hope this helps!
What size of jar did you use?
We used this jar http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/make-it/candle-making/candle-jars/16oz-country-comfort-jars-lll-cap-not-included-item-3497js/
Hope this helps you Jennifer!
I made these and added lavender and eucalyptus essential oils – love the smell! And they worked great 🙂 This is so much better than continually buying disposable dryer sheets!!!
Glad this helped!
Cannot wait to make some. I have been using reusable lavender satchels I bought from Trader Joe’s. I stopped using regular dryer sheets years ago because they are full of chemicals, bad for the environment and left me with horrible rashes. I love that these are simple to make. Thanks!
So happy to hear that!! Sustainability and skin-sensitivity are really important issues. Let us know how it goes when you try it out!!
Can we use fragrance oil in place of essential oils? Would putting that in the dryer be dangerous ?
Hi, Andrea! It would be safe in small amounts when it comes to dryer/fire safety but our fear here actually comes from the ability of fragrance oil to stain fabric. For this reason we recommend avoiding it or using small quantities first to test out whether or not it stains. Thanks for reaching out!
Could you use the wool dryer balls instead of fabric sheets? I wonder if it would work the same and not mess up the dryer ball.
Hi, Erin!
Technically, you can still add vinegar and essential oils, but I would recommend doing it with a spray bottle instead as then it’s not going to saturate it with vinegar and oil as that can be a problem over time. Hope that helps!