Forget Store-Bought Dryer Sheets! This DIY Substitute Is Better For the Earth (and Your Clothes)

POPSUGAR Photography | Elizabeth Reyes
POPSUGAR Photography | Elizabeth Reyes

Not only is this laundry solution seriously smart, but it is also awesomely eco-friendly. For only pennies, you'll have dryer sheets that can be used over and over and over again. What makes these dryer sheets better than their store-bought counterparts is they can be personalized with your favorite scent and are free of any toxic additives. Along with leaving your clothes feeling soft and fresh, they'll smell clean and ready for wear. And once you try them, you'll wonder why you never made them from scratch in the first place.

What You'll Need:

  • 1/2 cup of vinegar
  • 8 drops tea tree or other essential oil
  • Cotton Cloths
  • Sealable Container

Directions:

  1. Start by cutting your cotton cloths into smaller sections. I used inexpensive dish towels from the dollar store, but old T-shirts or linens would work wonderfully, too.
  2. Mix together the vinegar and essential oil in a small bowl. Vinegar is a natural softener, and the essential oil gives your clothes a gentle, natural scent. Pour the mixture over the cloths until they are dampened but not soaked. Keep in a securely closed container.
  3. To use, simply remove a sheet from the container, squeezing any excess liquid back into the jar, and toss it into the dryer. To reduce static cling in clothes, reduce the heat temperature of your dryer. When clothes are dry, simply place the sheet back in the jar for use later.

— Additional reporting by Haley Lyndes

Eco-Friendly Dryer Sheets
POPSUGAR Photography | Elizabeth Reyes

Eco-Friendly Dryer Sheets