Have you ever looked at the ingredients in commercial dryer sheets? It’s pretty alarming. We found it so concerning that we wrote an entire article about why you should stop using them.
Commercial dryer sheets are packed with chemicals like benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (an upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (connected to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen), and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen), among others. All these harmful substances just to make your clothes softer and fresher? No thanks. The good news is, there’s a natural alternative that you probably already have in your cupboard.
What’s this magical ingredient? Vinegar. Yes, plain white vinegar. Vinegar isn’t just for pickles; it has countless uses for natural beauty and household cleaning. If you want your clothes to smell like flowers, you can add essential oils. In just 10 minutes, you can make chemical-free, reusable dryer sheets that will freshen your next load of laundry.
Supplies Needed:
– 8 oz amber spray bottle
– 1 cup of white vinegar
– Strips of cloth (old cotton crib sheets, washcloths, or cotton t-shirts work well)
– Essential oils (we used Plant Therapy Essential Oils for this project)
To make the reusable dryer sheets, cut your cloth into roughly 4×6 inch rectangles. Don’t worry if some pieces are slightly larger than others.
Steps:
1. Pour Vinegar: Pour one cup of vinegar into the spray bottle. Using an amber glass bottle helps prevent deterioration and protects the essential oils’ properties.
2. Add Oils: Add your preferred scents. A combination of lavender and lemon works great. Use about 25 drops in total, but feel free to experiment with different combinations and amounts to find what you like best.
3. How to Use: Spray each cloth until it’s damp, but not soaking wet. One sheet is enough for a standard load of laundry. After drying your clothes, remove the dryer sheet and put it back in the container for reuse.
If you enjoy DIY recipes like this, consider getting a copy of the Everyday Roots downloadable guide, which includes over 215 recipes for natural health, beauty products, and non-toxic cleaning supplies.
