When I was little, one of the things I looked forward to about growing up was doing my own laundry… but not for the reason you’d think. I wanted scented laundry detergent and dryer sheets. My mom smartly used an unscented natural detergent that was closer to the homemade laundry detergent I use now, but I wanted the heavily scented chemical stuff that all my friends used.
I actually did use those artificially fragranced harsh detergents in college, and eventually realized that while they smelled good, they weren’t all they were cracked up to be and they gave me a headache.
When I had kids and made the switch back to natural detergent, I missed my clothes having that “clean” smell I had become so used to. Using essential oil scented soap in my DIY recipe solved this problem somewhat, but I realized that the scent didn’t stick around after the clothes were dried.
Natural Dryer Sheets
I stopped using conventional laundry detergent and dryer sheets, but desired a solution that would leave a fresh scent on clothes naturally.
I was also frustrated with the static cling that was tough to get rid of without dryer sheets. After some experimentation I found a two-fold solution that left clothes static-free and nice smelling without the harmful artificial fragrances:
- Homemade Natural Dryer Sheets
- Wool Dryer Balls
DIY Dryer Sheets:
I looked for a natural dryer sheet to buy, but could never find an option with ingredients I truly felt comfortable with. Just as with deodorant or toothpaste and all-purpose cleaner, homemade was the best, cheapest and easiest option.
I mainly wanted dryer sheets for the scent, so this was a really simple DIY project.
What you need:
- Cloth baby wipes (or old scraps of cloth)
- Essential oils of choice
- White Vinegar
- A glass jar with a wide lid or other storage container
What to do:
- Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 25+ drops of essential oils of choice. I like Geranium, Citrus, Lavender and Mint.
- Fold the wipes or cloth scraps and place in your jar or storage container.
- Moisten but don’t saturate the cloth with the vinegar mixture (store extra in a bottle if you don’t need the entire mixture).
- Use one wipe/cloth per dryer load to freshen laundry. The vinegar smell will evaporate during drying and the essential oil scent will remain.
Wool Dryer Balls
Wool dryer balls help remove static cling, and also shorten the time it takes to dry a load of laundry. I couldn’t believe it took me so long to try them and I won’t ever go back. The mixture of natural dryer sheets and dryer balls has been the perfect solution for me.
With wool dryer balls, you can make them at home or buy them:
- Make them: This is a great tutorial for DIY Wool Dryer Balls
- Buy them: Or, get good quality dryer balls at a great price here.
What, if anything, do you use in your dryer to reduce static and freshen clothes?
How to Create a Perfect Sleep Environment
Do i leave the cloths soak in this mixture until ready to use or just dip the cloth in the mixture when ready to throw it in the dryer? If you leave in the vinegar solution, how long can they stay in this mixture for?
I just leave in the vinegar because I use them all within a month, but you could spray as you go.
Since our laundry area is in the garage I’m concerned that they will mold or mildew if left in the solution during our very hot summer months. Have you had any problems with that? Does the vinegar prevent mildew from growing or will I need to find a different storage option when it’s hot?
I haven’t had any trouble with it, but to be safe, you could just mix the vinegar solution (it should be fine on its own) and add to the rags right before using.
I’m new to essential oils, do you use the geranium, citrus, lavender, and mint together in your dryer sheets or do u just do different combos of them?
I was wondering that, too.
Katie,
Thank you for all the tips! Question for you – do you use bleach ? What kind? Or what do you use instead to keep your whites white?
Thank you!!
I don’t use bleach but I do use this brand of oxygen bleach https://www.amazon.com/Biokleen-Oxygen-Bleach-Plus-32/dp/B00J5I7V3W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=6e2f7db49ac6e2537c3299ef1f70b0a1&language=en_US
ok- I’m kind of a doofus and have a silly question. You don’t store the cloth wipes in the vinegar/EO solution until you’re ready to use them, do you? Because then I assume it would soak up all the liquid. Do you just moisten slightly right before you wish to use them? Also, is there any chance the vinegar/EO would stain any type of clothing? IE- should I avoid using it on a particular type of fabric? Thank you! I just want to make sure I do it correctly, just getting into all this natural stuff and loving it!
can some of the readers respond or “Wellness Mama”? I’d like to try these…
I think you just put enough of the liquid on the sheets to moisten them and then leave them in a sealed jar or ziplock bag so they are ready for use. Although you could just spray them before use if that is more convenient.
I store mine folded up in the glass jar with the vinegar solution and wring out when I need to use.
I’m wondering the exact same question! Do you put the mixture directly in the glass jar with the folded cloths and just let it sit until you’re ready to use?
I use a vinegar and essential mix as softener and bleach in the washer. I end up with a slight scent that sticks around a while. Will probably etsy some wool balls for winter but in the summer I am line drying now. Anyone have tips for line drying? This is my first real attempt at this and the towels are like sand paper and my sheets are linty. My clothes are awesome though.
Getting that dry, scratchy feeling on towels and such is caused by them being out in the sun for too long. That being said, I put them into the dryer with a hot, wet washcloth for about 10 minutes, and that usually takes care of it!
I took your advice and ordered the Smart Sheep wool balls from Mama Moon Boutique. I can’t believe I waited so long. I love them! Shortened my drying time, less wrinkles in the clothes and no static. I think I will need the homemade dryer sheets in the winter time, but for now, the balls are sufficient for static control. Thanks for the recommendation!
I have been using he wool balls for over a year now. I did not have much static in winter at all.
I will try this right away.
I tried dryer balls but they almost ruined some clothes (workout pants in particular) with white lint. I followed all instructions. Is this common problem?
Were they new? They are more likely to do this when they are new. Sometimes putting them in pantyhose helps.
Is this dryer sheet recipe safe for drying cloth diapers? Do you have to be careful with what kind of essential oils to put on them? Or is the dilution rate so low it won’t matter? TIA!
The dilution is so low that it shouldn’t matter, but I would only use skin safe essential oils for anything that will touch baby’s skin.
Essential oils can be very volital as some are alcohols. I would NOT do this in the dryer, I am also in school becoming an aroma therapist. Yes it is great if someone has been lucky, but warnings are not without premise. Some people think fragrance oils can be used interchangeably, on ones skin, as in the ones made of kerosene and for use in kerosene lamps, No! EO are also not for use in candles but people are doing it. I love these blogs but more research should be done before putting oil products is encouraged for use in dryers! And no some oils should never touch a baby no matter what dilution!!!!
Lavender augustifolia is a good one for little ones 6 mo plus though.
Hi I was wondering about the E oil.
I read my dryer manual and it says don’t put anything with oil in it because the oil build-up can start a fire.
I would love to try this but I’m renting and a don’t need a fire because that really won’t help when I renew my lease lol.
Is E oil not like normal oil?
Does anyone know about this?
I have used dryer balls with my own E.O. on them for several years now. No problem. I have also, (against such rules: WHY throw out a perfectly good rag?? ) washed and dried material that has wiped up oil spills, both auto and food like olive oil. I think it is just like the warning on coffee, it is for legal purposes. Although, I will admit, if the oils don’t come completely out in the wash, they POSSIBLY COULD cause a fire in a dryer. Which is why I will usually : wash immediately before the oil dries, and wash several times to make sure it is all out. Washing and drying material that was soaked in oils causing fires: It has never happened to me, and I have done it for decades. You may want to try line drying outside if you are that worried about oils, but the amount of essential oils you will be using is so small, the real threat of fire will not be an issue.
This sounds great but I’m worried about oil stains. Has anyone had that problem? Are there some fabrics this doesn’t work well with?
I have not tried this method. The best I can tell you is this… We use the wool dryer balls. I started putting oils on them for scent, then my husband did a few loads and used probably 3-4 times more than I had tried. And we did end up with oil stains. But it as fine if I used a small amount on a dryer ball. Based on the proportions of this recipe, I would assume you are going to be totally fine.