DIY Dryer Sheets – Reusable and Natural
These DIY dryer sheets are simple, natural, and safe for sensitive skin. Ditch the store-bought dryer sheets for good!
I’ve been wanting to make my own natural reusable dryer sheets for a long time, simply because I like making my own products. I even make my own face wash!
It wasn’t until last week that I finally tried them out after reading a few articles about how God-awful store-bought dryer sheets are.
I mean, it’s no surprise really. Anything that smells that dang good can’t be natural, right?
I didn’t want to part with the wonderful fresh linen scent. But articles like this convinced me that my family’s health is more important than laundry that smells like it was cleaned and folded by angels.
My DIY dryer sheets do smell good. But I won’t lie to you – it’s not Snuggle.
It doesn’t really come close to Snuggle. But, I can rest easy knowing that I’ve cut out one more harmful product in my home.
It gives my clothes a fresh and clean scent, but it’s faint.
It’s not nearly as strong as I’m used to, but it’s worth it. It’s a first world problem if I’ve ever heard one.
DIY Dryer Sheets
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Here’s What You’ll Need:
- 1 large jar (I reused a pickle jar, but anything with a sealed lid will work, as long as it has a wide mouth)
- 2.5 cups of water
- 2.5 cups of white vinegar
- 3-4 tbsps vegetable glycerine
- Cotton quilting squares or wash cloths
- 12 drops of orange essential oil
- 12 drops of lemon essential oil
- 12 drops of lavender essential oil
- 7 drops of peppermint essential oil
Vegetable glycerin gently softens your clothes. I’ve never used it in a beauty product before, but I hear it’s great for your skin as well.
I really liked the cotton squares I ordered from Amazon. They came in a variety of fun, floral patterns, and they’ve held up well so far.
When I first opened them, there were a few threads coming off of the sides, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem yet. I’m not sure how long they will last, but with a pack of 50, I’m not too worried.
You can also use wash cloths or even cut up an old t-shirt. I didn’t have any extra clothes or wash rags right now, and to be honest, I wanted pretty patterns.
If I’m going to give up my Snuggle dryer sheets, I want to look at something pretty.
How To Make DIY Dryer Sheets:
1. Add water, white vinegar, and vegetable glycerine to your large jar.
2. Close the lid and shake vigorously.
3. Add your essential oils. Close the lid and shake again.
4. Add your cloth scraps.
Done! Easy peasy!
Make sure you shake the jar and wring out the fabric squares before adding them to your load of laundry.
Essential oils last longer in dark glass containers. Since I used a clear pickle jar, I’ll have to store my dryer sheets in a dark place to extend the life of them.
NOTE: Since publishing this article, I’ve started infusing the vinegar with dried lavender petals before using. It’s AMAZING. You’ve got to try it!
You might also like my: Homemade Organic Lavender Baby Wash
Even if store-bought dryer sheets aren’t as bad as everyone says, I’ll still continue making our own.
For us, it’s just another way we can live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. Health is important, but more than anything, I want to live a simple, frugal life with less trips to the store.
These dryer sheets are ridiculously cheap. And the more I make my own products, the happier and more fulfilled I feel.
What homemade products do you love? Comment below! I’m always looking for new ideas.
I think the next small adjustment for my family will be using homemade laundry detergent. If you have any tips or ideas, let me know! I’d love to hear from you.
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These sound great! I use (and love!) wool dryer balls, but I didn’t want to put essential oils right in them because I don’t use the oils with baby’s clothes. Recently I’ve just been using a damp washcloth with a combination of essential oils, and it’s been great.
Does the vinegar smell come through on your clothes at all? I use vinegar to clean with and my husband really does not like the smell.
Ooo that’s super smart! Yeah I don’t like to use essential oils on Marshall too much either 🤔 The vinegar smell does come through, but I would imagine if you just added a splash of it to what you’re already using, it shouldn’t be too strong!
What’s the reason for using the vinegar? Is there a substitute?
No it does not. It dries fresh smelling no vinegar smell. I have added white vinegar to my wash for years.
Do you have to use that many different types of essential oils?
Absolutely not! 😊 you can use whichever ones you like. That just created a smell that I liked.
I love the fun patterns! Did you mix all of those scents together or did you make 4/5 different batches?
Thank you so much! 😊 I mixed them all together! I like the way they smell combined. Of course you can use whichever essential oils you like 😊👍🏻
Love this! I may have to give up using no dryer sheets to try this out. Love your pretty patterned scraps.
Thank you so much Kristyna 😍 You should definitely try them! I’ve noticed the longer I use them, the more vinegary it smells, so Ive added a little more essential oils here and there since posting. It may be because I made such a large batch. Maybe it’s time to make a fresh jar 😊
Do these keep out the static?
So far, they have for me. If I’m not mistaken the vegetable glycerin is what helps with static while simultaneously softening your clothes a bit. 😊
To be fair though, it’s Summer! We’ll see how static-y my clothes are in the Winter 😉 Hopefully it holds up!
Thank you
You’re welcome, Kim 😊
How many times can you reuse? Last recipe I used actually went bad after awhile and made my clothes all smell moldy.
How long can you use these dryer sheets before needing to make a new batch?
Did you leave the edges of the fabric squares as is or did you finish them to prevent fraying?
Any update on static from the winter months?
Hi Hannah! Sorry, this comment got pushed down and I missed it. I did use this recipe throughout the colder months this year, and it definitely worked for the static for me 😊 I added a little extra vegetable glycerin though. I also started lightly infusing the vinegar with lavender before adding it to the jar. But only enough to give it a little extra smell-good boost! I didn’t want it to stain anything 😊 I’m pregnant now, so the vinegar smell has been getting to me, and this helped a lot.
Can you tell me what you mean by lavender infused vinegar? And once you used the dryer sheet did you just throw it back in the jar or save it to make a new batch?
Thanks
What does the vinegar do?
Just found this recipe. I have decided to stop buying store brand dryer sheets and cannot wait to try this one. My Amazon order of cute fabric squares is on it’s way! 2 things guided me to your site and recipe. One: loved the simple picture of the jar with vibrant fabrics. Two: thank you for not having ‘500’ ads attacking me before I can even get to the subject at hand.
Once again, Thank you & Good Day!
I am so glad I stumbled across this blog post. I have been making my own laundry detergent and using wool dryer balls. After reading up in the toxins in those products, I was convinced I needed a change. But we haven’t been happy without any scent in the dryer, and also the static can be an issue for my husband. I have quite a few vintage hankies that would work well for this. Thanks for posting!
How many do you throw into your dryer? I made this last night and put two cotton patches into the dryer last night but there wasn’t a noticeable scent in my laundry.
Do the oils leave marks on your clothes? I’ve added oils to my dryer balls and have seen some spots.
Do you have to use vinegar or can you leave that out?
Even though I love all the pretty colors of your cloth pack coming through the glass jar, I was thinking I could cover it with a pretty patterned scrapbook paper attaching with a clear sticky Contact paper or a Contact type of drawer liner with a darker design on it to cut the light hitting your essential oils in the dryer sheet mix. Would that help?
Fo anyone concerned about the vinegar odor – No Worries – when the clothes is out of the dryer, it really dissipates. Just use the cheapest white vinegar that comes in bulk. If you have a problem still, just add a little more water to the mixture. Vinegar is great to soften fibers and help loosen up pet hairs that can get embedded in your clothes – really helps! 🙂
So whatever oils I use the amount of drops that you used for that size jar is your recommendation?
I’ve been making my own laundry soap for about 5 years now. My husband the stick in the mud, buys a bottle of detergent for his use, however if I’m washing clothes I use my homemade soap. The only thing I don’t like about it is your clothes are not as clean looking as with detergent from the store but I think only I notice it? I am going to try making this recipe, hopefully my husband will follow my lead. I rarely use the dryer as I like my clothes hung up but he does all the time. I guess I am lucky, he does laundry, dishes, housecleaning, litter box cleaning and when asked will help me in the garden and pretty much all the outdoor activities. As well as helping me everyday with horse care. Thanks for the ideas!
Try using baking soda in with your wash load. I also add vinegar in the softener compartment 🙂
If you have a sewing machine do a zig zag stitch around the edge for your square fabric and that will keep them from fraying.
What size cotton squares did you use? I have everything and just have to cut the squares. Thank you so much
I made these and it didn’t work. Clothes were still staticy and linty. I followed the ingredients and instructions exactly.
What do you do after you use one? Do you put it back Into jar? Do you save them up till there all used and then start over. Why do you want so many if they are reusable. Sorry, I guess I am new at this.
How long do you use a a jar full for?
I have yet to try the drier sheets but I will be whipping some up before my next load of laundry hits the drier. I just have a tip for diy laundry detergent that I wanted to share. So, after finding the right mix of soaps or non-soaps and what not, and no matter if your final combination is a liquid or more of a powder if you add some baking soda its awesome. I recommend actual cleaning baking soda its quiet a bit stronger than anything you’d want to cook with. Plus its easy to add an extra scoop into the wash for those really funky clothes.
What do you consider a scoop, half cup?
I absolutely love this idea! If anyone is overly cocerned about the edges of the fabric fraying, trim the edges with pinking shears and that should help. :0)
How often do you replace this mixture?
What size are the cloths?
I’m curioius about static? I despise staticy clothing 😀 What’s your take, do these do the trick?
After you use the dryer sheets in the laundry can you use them to clean your blinds. They need to be dry for this cleaning job.
I would love to try this! And I had the idea to paint jars on the outside for things with essential oils, if you don’t have a dark glass jar handy. You could even use chalkboard paint so you can have a cute chalk label 🙂
I think for me since I’m a cheapskate, I’m going to try to cut my own squares, maybe get some clearance scraps at the craft store.
How long does the liquid last? How often do you make a new batch?
How large are the squares? And do you keep all squares in jar of liquid, and pull one out at a time, and wring out before using? Sorry, but I need better direction than you gave.
How often do you need to replace this solution?
What, exactly, is the purpose of the vinegar?
I am about to try these myself for the first time! I hope to like them’ thank you! I make my own detergent so this will be a major save! If it turns out for me !!
I have made the laundry soap and it works great, for added scent you can use the Dr. Bonners Castile soap bars that come in different scents.
Do you reuse these or toss after each load? How many per load are used?
May I ask the purpose of the vinegar?
Why do you use vinegar? Especially since the clothes are clean! Really don’t like the smell.
How long does a batch last?
Vinegar is an antibacterial agent to start. It is considered a disinfectant.White vinegar doesn’t leave an after smell when used either. The smell dispersed as it drys leaving no after smell.
Well, I’m definitely late to the party, but trimming the squares of fabric with pinking shears will help hold off any fraying.
What a great idea!
What a great idea.
I am slowly making the transition to chemical free cleaning and found this, will give it a try. But I have a question as to how this works for static cling? What are some tips for that if not? Thank you for sharing!
Hello,
I know this might sound silly but I just want to be sure how you are using these? Anyone can shoot me the answer. Do you pull one out and squeeze excess liquid then put in dryer with your clean wet clothes? You are not adding these to the washer correct?
Thank you in advance!
Lauralee
I think someone mentioned the vinegar is used to soften the clothes.