Laundry day may be one of the less appealing chores on your to-do list, but a warm, fresh-smelling load of clean clothes, straight from the dryer, is one of the highlights of this task. Are you looking for a DIY dryer sheet alternative? Maybe you used your last dryer sheet and are looking for a quick alternative without running to the store. Or perhaps you’ve resolved to use fewer chemicals in your household this year, and are looking for a natural replacement for dryer sheets.
Try This DIY Dryer Sheet Alternative
Luckily, there are many natural alternatives to store-bought or high-fragranced dryer sheets, many of which you may already have in your home. Take a look at these easy DIY dryer sheet alternatives for drying without dryer sheets!
Put Ice Cubes in the Dryer
The thought of putting cold ice cubes in a warm dryer may seem counterintuitive at first, but it’s actually a great way to gently dry medium to small loads of clothes to cut the static and lessen the likelihood of wrinkles. How does this DIY dryer sheet alternative work? Just two or three ice cubes added into a hot dryer will create steam. The steam will allow your clothes to dry smoothly and evenly, keeping wrinkles at bay.
Make Aluminum Foil Dryer Balls
Wanting an easy way to avoid static in your dry, clean clothes? The answer may be in your kitchen! Try aluminum foil instead of dryer sheets! You’ll need a strip of aluminum foil roughly the size of a piece of notebook paper. Roll the foil into a ball about the size of your fist, then toss it in with your clothes. Not only is this DIY dryer sheet alternative useful for eliminating static, but the ball of foil is reusable for many loads of laundry to come.
Vinegar Dryer Sheets
This homemade dryer sheet replacement sounds too simple to be true, but give it a try. It really works! All you need is a washcloth that you don’t mind keeping in the laundry room and a bottle of apple cider vinegar. White vinegar also works well. Dampen the washcloth with the vinegar and toss it into the dryer with your laundry. The vinegar dissipates during the drying process and works to keep clothes soft without leaving behind a “pickle smell”. However, for an added boost in the fresh, clean scent, try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto the washcloth prior to drying.
Use Wool Dryer Balls
Wondering, “What can I use instead of dryer sheets?” Consider wool dryer balls as an alternative to reusable dryer sheets. These balls can be purchased at most major grocery stores, or handmade from your favorite wool fabric. The balls are thrown into the dryer along with your clothes, offer a fantastic natural DIY dryer sheet alternative, and cut out static while making clothes soft. They bounce around with the clothes during the drying cycle and their added movement and absorption helps if a dryer takes forever to dry.
Are you in need of clothes dryer repair? Call one of our expert dryer repair technicians at Advantage Appliance today!