Have you ever read the ingredients in commercial dryer sheets? It’s a bit scary. In fact, it’s so scary we dedicated an entire article to discussing the many reasons why you should stop using commercially available dryer sheets.
The truth is there’s a bunch of chemicals in those little disposable sheets. Chemicals like benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen) and much more. All this to make clothes softer and smell fresh? No thank you. The good news is, there’s a natural way to freshen and soften clothes and you probably already have it your cupboard.
What is this magical ingredient? Vinegar. Yes, plain ol’ white vinegar. Vinegar is not only for pickle-making. It’s has a multitude for uses for natural beauty and household cleaning. If you want to make your clothes smell like a floral bouquet, no problem. That’s where essential oils come in. In a little as 10 minutes, you can have chemical-free and reusable dryer sheets ready to freshen your next load.
Supplies
- 8 oz amber spray bottle
- 1 Cup of white vinegar
- Strips of cloth*
- Essential oils (Plant Therapy Essential Oils were used for this project. They are available to buy here.)
*I made my reusable dryer sheets from an old cotton crib sheet. You can use wash cloths, old cotton t-shirts or any type of cloth. I do recommend that you stick with cotton. Cotton will absorb the fabric softener easily and dry quickly. Tear your cloth into roughly 4×6 inch rectangles. If some are bigger than others, it’s not a big deal.
Pour Vinegar
Pour one cup of vinegar into a spray bottle. I always use an amber glass bottle when using essential oils. The amber bottle helps prevent deterioration and protects the aromatic and therapeutic properties of the essential oils.
Add Oils
Add your desired scents. I love using a combination of lavender and lemon. I used about 25 drops in all. There’s really no right or wrong amount. It depends on how much scent you want on your clothes. Experiment with different combinations and amounts.
How to Use
Spray each sheet until dampened (not dripping wet). One sheet will be enough for a standard load of laundry. Once your clothes are dry, remove the dryer sheet and add it back to your container. It’ll be ready to go for the next load.
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