How To Make – DIY Reusable Dryer Sheets

I love doing laundry! Except for putting it in the dryer, taking it out and folding it and then putting it away. – Dump-E-Cards

Just recently, our family started discussing inventions we’d like to see.  Our oldest wants to create a stacked washer and dryer with a “trap door” underneath the washer will dump the clothes into the dryer when it’s finished washing.  I said maybe they should add that new iron box invention, where you stick the clothes in and they come freshly pressed, under the dryer for a triple stake system… 🙂

Regardless of how you feel about the laundry process, more and more people agree that dryer sheets are not the greatest thing to be coating our clothes, and dryers, in.

Dryer sheets are woven sheets of fibers coated with stearic acid or fatty acids, scents and a cocktail of various chemicals. In the dryer, the stearic acid melts from the heat, coating the clothes to make them soft and reduce static.

Unfortunately, the film from the dryer sheet also coats your entire dryer. This typically isn’t a problem, except when it comes to the dryer’s lint filter.

The residue from the fabric softener sheet builds up on the filter, load after load. Eventually, you’ll find that lint is hard to remove because the sticky film has blocked the holes in the filter and adhered to some of the lint. -CNET

Reusable dryer sheets are a great alternative to the common dryer sheet and here’s how to make them……..

SUPPLIES:

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• 1/2 yard each of two complementary colored/patterned fabrics. I used flannel because I feel it absorbs better, but you can use any light-medium weight fabric.
• 8-12 washcloths. We bought an inexpensive package at a local retailer for about $5 for 10 (and I found them on Amazon as well)
• Scissors (I prefer pinking shears like these easy action shears on Amazon)
• All-purpose thread
• Sewing pins – like these
• Sewing machine –this is a great machine
• Essential oils – GREAT KIT
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1-2 drops vegetable glycerin (optional)
• Container with a lid (with chalkboard labels)

REUSABLE DRYER SHEETS INSTRUCTIONS:

Steps 1-3: Measure, mark and cut washcloth in half.

Steps 4-6: Measure, mark and cut as many pieces of fabric as you have half pieces of washcloths.

Step 7:  Pin with the wrong side of the fabric to the wrong side of the washcloth

Step 8: Sew all four sides about a 1/4 – 2/3” from the edge.

Steps 9-11: Sew a line down the middle, turn and sew another to form a “+”. You can also sew from corner to corner, forming an “X”. This keeps the dryer sheets from “ballooning” in the dryer. Repeat until all pieces are sewn together.

Steps 12-15: In your container, add water, vinegar, and essential oils (approx. 25 drops per jar). Add dryer sheets. To use, slightly wring one and place in dryer.

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Now if creating your own reusable dryer sheets is not for you, we highly recommend these wool dryer balls as another fantastic alternative to dryer sheets.

Before you go, here are some more laundry room projects to waste less and live more…

• DIY Cardboard Box Laundry Basket
• 13 Creative Ways to Reuse Dryer Lint
• Budget Laundry Room Makeover