10 Green alternatives to dryer sheets

Photo courtesy of Manda Mia at Flickr.com.

Dryer sheets are pretty darn close to magic. Somehow, a tiny sheet of filmy material can stop clothes from sticking together and also make them smell fresher than fresh. But, can dryer sheets be re-used? Does it take a whole sheet for a small load of laundry, or will half of a sheet work just as well? Is there a way to save money while also helping the planet?

It turns out that dryer sheets aren’t that great and it’s possible to cut way back on their use. There’s usually enough residue left in the dryer between loads to treat your clothes without adding another sheet (or even adding half a sheet). The healthier choice may even be to avoid using dryer sheets and fabric softeners entirely.

Here are a few green alternatives to drier sheets:

1.) Substitute a dish cloth with a drop of essential oil

2.) Try a sachet of herbs, such as lavendar or mint

3.) Believe it or not, tennis balls can eliminate static .

4.) Plastic shopping bags work too (but not if you’re using a high temperature setting).

5.) Dry your clothes only partway. You can hang damp clothes in your closet to dry without any static cling.

Here are some steps that can come in handy before your clothes get to the dryer:

6.) Use less detergent

7.) Try a different detergent (some are more likely to cause static)

8.) Add vinegar to the wash machine rinse cycle (but not earlier – it will cancel out the soap).

9.) Separate synthetic and natural cloths – they tend to produce more static when they rub together

10.) Consider using a clothesline – they use no electricity and are less likely to wear out your clothes. After all, where do you think lint comes from?

Photo courtesy of marianne. at Flickr.com.

Do you have any other ideas? If so, please share them with us in the comments section below.

10 Green alternatives to dryer sheets

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