4 Alternatives to Dryer Sheets

Let’s face it, laundry has been, and will forever be, part of our weekly chores. And there are several products that are essential to getting this task done as effectively and efficiently as possible, some of which include detergent, bleach, fabric softener and, most importantly, dryer sheets. Yes, dryer sheets are essential if you want static-free, soft to the touch clothes.

That said, there is a subgroup of people that may argue against using traditional dryer sheets, citing a variety of health risks that are linked to them. So what are these risks? Well, according to sixwise.com, a well-regarded health and wellness website, traditional dryer sheets are comprised of multiple carcinogens and harmful ingredients that are known to cause respiratory problems. Some of the harmful ingredients include

Benzyl acetate
Limonene
Ethanol
Chloroform
Benzyl alcohol

Obviously, this is not an all-encompassing list, but it is a list of some of the more common chemicals found in the dryer sheets currently on the market today, making the apprehension felt by many consumers very justifiable. To further contextualize these concerns, let’s take a closer look at the chemicals found in dryer sheets:

Benzyl acetate has been linked to pancreatic cancer.
Limonene is a known carcinogen.
Chloroform is a known carcinogen and a neurotoxin.
Ethanol has been proven to cause central nervous system disorders.
Benzyl alcohol has been linked to upper respiratory tract infection/irritation.

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Alternatives

So what should you do, knowing that the mere act of drying your clothes may expose you to dangerous chemicals? Well, you can forego dryer sheets altogether; however, this may lead dry clothes riddle with static electricity, which may not be a viable option.

Conversely, you can opt for non-toxic alternatives that provide the same great benefits without any risk to your health. Throughout the remainder of this article, we will review some all-natural dryer sheets, as well as some DIY alternatives, that can get the job done with minimal risks including

Reusable dryer sheets
Dryer balls
Homemade dryer sheets
White distilled vinegar

Reusable Sheets

Source: Amazon

If you’re looking to get more bang for your proverbial buck, reusable sheets may be what you’re looking for. These dryer sheets are cut similar to that of traditional dryer sheets and have fewer or no chemicals/fragrances. So not only do you save on upfront cost but also long-term costs, making them an ideal choice for the cost-conscious consumer.

Dryer Balls

In addition to being free of harmful chemicals, many of the dryer sheet alternatives that we will be detailing are also far less expensive when compared to their traditional counterparts. Dryer balls, for example, are renowned for speeding up drying time because of their spherical shape. And much like traditional dryer sheets, these rubbery orbs also reduce static electricity and softens your clothes.

Homemade Dryer Sheets

For the frugal consumer, homemade dryer sheets could be considered a godsend, depending on their aptitude for DIY projects. So how do you make them, you ask? Well, you’ll want to start by cutting a piece of fabric into squares, about the same size as traditional dryer sheets.

Next, soak the fabric in fabric softener and then dry them; once they’re completely dry, you can put them in the dryer the next time you need to dry a load of clothes. It’s important to note, however, that fabric softener contains many of the same chemicals found in traditional dryer sheets. That said, this option is only viable if saving money is your primary objective.

White Distilled Vinegar

White vinegar is another great way to reduce static electricity and get soft, clean clothes. However, this option is more a replacement for fabric softener more than it is a replacement for dryer sheets. Basically, you will want to substitute fabric softener with white distilled vinegar, adding a cap full or two during your machine’s rinse cycle. Although doing this may seem unusual, white vinegar possesses natural anti-static properties and can soften clothes just as good as any traditional fabric softener.

Dryer Sheets and Big Business

Having outlined some of the dangers associated with traditional dryer sheets and providing some viable alternatives, let’s now take a closer look at the cost-savings that come with those alternatives. Although the average cost of dryer sheets equates to just pennies per sheet, the cost can quickly add up over the course of a year, assuming you do a load of laundry one or two times per week. In fact, according to iriworldwide.com, a market research company, the dryer sheet market has a valuation of over $400 million; that said, let’s take moment to analyze this data.

Multinational consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble is the biggest player in the dryer sheet market, owning 3.74% of the market due to their highly successful “Bounce” dryer sheets. Of course, Procter & Gamble is not the only player in the dryer sheet market; Snuggle fabric softener is another brand that is doing very well, averaging between $4 million and $6 million annually.

Total Cost of Doing Laundry

The laundry business is a juggernaut of a business; the average family of four can find themselves spending a king’s ransom to merely wash and dry their clothes. A study conducted by the Department of Energy & Multi-housing Laundry Association details the following figures as they pertain to the average household’s annual laundry expenditure:

$141 on detergent
$38 on bleach
$65 on fabric softener/dryer sheets
Assuming you have a washer and dryer in your home, $420 in utilities to heat the water and to run the dryer.

Unexpected Side Effects of Alternatives to Dryer Sheets

Air Drying your Clothes

Obviously, all of these costs can take a toll on a family’s budget, but fortunately, there are ways to reduce these expenses, especially when it comes to dryer sheets. As previously stated, you could forgo the dryer altogether and allow your clothes to air dry, but that comes at a cost. If you allow your clothes to dry on a clothesline, for example, you end up with clothes that a rigid to the touch, not to mention the fact that they are exposed to elements like rain and dirt.

Reusable Dryer Sheets

Similar to air drying your clothes, reusable dryer sheets can be an attractive alternative to traditional dryer sheets, but they, too, come at a cost. In fact, several Amazon customers have posted reviews detailing their experience with certain reusable dryer sheets, stating they were not as effective and often left their clothes full of static.

Dryer Balls

If you were considering dryer balls, they are a great alternative as they help to disperse heat evenly in the dryer, but are they worth it? Well, according to an article in popularmechanics.com, most consumers did not notice an appreciable difference in the softness of their clothes nor did they notice a reduction in static as a result of using them. However, many complained about the loud noise emanating from their dryers as the rubber orbs moved around their machines.

Homemade Dryer Sheets

Next on the list is homemade dryer sheets, this option is certainly cost-effective; however, in order for them to work effectively, they must be soaked in fabric softener, which has the same harmful chemicals found in traditional dryer sheets.

Distilled Vinegar

Although distilled vinegar is one of the popular dryer sheet alternatives, this option does present its own set of drawbacks. An article in cnet.com found that the chemical makeup of vinegar can damage your dryer, namely the rubber gaskets. So although you may be saving on dryer sheet cost, you may be damaging your dryer in the process.

The Best Choice for your Laundry Needs

What should you, as a consumer, purchase if you’re concerned about harmful chemicals or want to save money on your overall laundry costs? Well, you definitely have several options, but choosing the best option for you and your family is a matter of weighing the pros and the cons of each. That said, forgoing the dryer altogether could be the best option, especially since the drawbacks are minimal. Of course, the other dryer sheet alternatives are great, but they can each potentially damage your dryer.

As far as homemade and reusable alternatives to dryer sheets, they can both clog the lint screen in your dryer, posing a problem that is two-fold. If lint clogs the lint screen, your dryer will have to work harder to dry your clothes, and the harder it has the work, the higher your energy bill will be.