How to Make Easy Homemade Dryer Sheets

I’ve shared my homemade laundry detergent AND my homemade dryer balls both on the blog and my Facebook page before but this is the first time I’ve ever shared my easy homemade dryer sheets!  As I’ve mentioned before, we had some sensitive skin issues in our family so I shied away from using dryer sheets.

Then one day I found this bolt of birdseye pique fabric in a local thrift store.  Yes, the WHOLE bolt was $4.99!  Of course, I bought it, not knowing what I was going to use it for… that’s my MO.  It sat in my craft room closet for a couple of years until one day I realized it would be perfect for homemade dryer sheets!

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Supplies for Homemade Dryer Sheets

• birdseye pique
• pinking shears
• largemouth mason jar – I used one of these vintage Crown canning jars that my daughter found at a thrift shop in Canada.
• white vinegar
• essential oils – I used
  • lavender – for scent
  • citrus – for scent – You can switch these out to whatever scent you like.
  • tea tree – known to kill many strains of bacteria, viruses, and fungi

FYI, I show Young Living essential oils in the photo below but I feel very comfortable using essential oils from Amazon for this project.

How to Make Dryer Sheets

Cut the birdseye pique fabric into squares.

Fill the jar about 3/4ths full with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar.  Then add about 20 drops of lavender plus a few drops of citrus oil and 10-20 drops of tea tree oil.

Wad up the fabric squares and put them into the jar one at a time.

That’s all there is to homemade dryer sheets!  And the best part is you can control the amount of scent or don’t add any at all if you’re extra sensitive.

Pull one out and throw it into the dryer with your clothes or linens.

These are reusable for many years.  Just keep adding them back in the jar.

Why You Should Make Your Own Dryer Sheets

Many studies have been made over the years that show the dangerous effects that the chemicals in dryer sheets can cause to your body. I’m not a scientist or a researcher so please research all these for yourself!

• This study showed that the fragrances and other chemicals in dryer sheets may cause health problems because they mimic estrogen and trigger asthma.
• Other studies have found chemicals that affect the reproductive system, nervous system, metabolism, and cancer. (Not in EVERY storebought package of dryer sheets. Again, do specific research on the brand you’ve been using.)
• Manufacturers aren’t required to disclose ingredients in dryer sheets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission rules are much laxer than the food safety industry rules.
• The manufacturers aren’t required to do safety checks on their ingredients.
• To sum it up, these ingredients may not harm you, or may only harm you in large quantities. But I’d rather be safe than sorry… especially when it comes to the health of my family!

More DIY Laundry Room Projects

If you enjoyed this alternative to dryer sheets, you might also like these DIY projects:

• How to Paint a Washing Machine and Dryer
• Homemade Laundry Detergent
• Homemade Wool Dryer Balls
• Small Laundry Room Storage Ideas
• The Only Guide You Need to Decode Laundry Symbols
• 5 Gorgeous Laundry Rooms That Will Make You Want to Wash Clothes

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‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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