Make Your Own All Natural Laundry Dryer Sheets at Home
Doing laundry might not be your favorite chore, but what if you could infuse it with a touch of nature and self-sufficiency? That’s where homemade all natural dryer sheets come in. Say goodbye to chemical-laden, store-bought dryer sheets and hello to soft, fresh-smelling clothes that are good for your health, your wallet, and the environment.
You can create reusable, cost-effective dryer sheets that fit into your self-sufficient lifestyle with just a few simple ingredients. This DIY solution helps you save money, reduce waste, and take control of what touches your family’s clothes. Plus, you can customize the scent to your liking using pure essential oils!
This post may contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Why you will Love these All Natural Laundry Dryer Sheets
- Safe and Non-Toxic: Unlike commercial dryer sheets that can be full of synthetic fragrances and harmful chemicals, this recipe uses only natural ingredients. You’ll never have to worry about skin irritations or allergies.
- Budget-Friendly: Stop spending money on disposable dryer sheets. A few simple ingredients can cut down on your grocery and household budget.
- Customizable: From citrusy lemon to calming lavender, you can create a scent that makes your laundry feel like a dream.
- Eco-Friendly: Reusable flannel cloths mean less waste and fewer harmful chemicals leaching into the environment.
- Take Control of Your Home: By making your own dryer sheets, you eliminate unnecessary toxins and ensure that your laundry routine aligns with your self-sufficient, natural lifestyle.
Supplies
- 2 cups white distilled vinegar
- 1/4 cup all-natural hair conditioner (unscented or lightly scented) This is my favorite!
- 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oil (like doTERRA Eucalyptus, Lemon, or Lavender) Need Oils?
- Measuring cups
- A spoon for stirring
- Flannel Wipes with Dispenser
- Fabric scraps of flannel (If you are making your own cut into squares, approximately 6×6 inches)
Useful Supplies for All Natural Laundry Dryer Sheets
Why These Ingredients Work
- White Vinegar: This ingredient is a secret weapon in the laundry room. It naturally softens fabrics, reduces static, and even helps remove lingering soap residue. Don’t worry—I promise your clothes will not be left with the smell of vinegar! The vinegar smell evaporates during drying, leaving no trace.
- Essential Oils: Add 20-25 drops of your favorite essential oil. Lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, or tea tree oil are popular choices. These oils have a lovely scent and bring calming or energizing vibes to your laundry.
- All-natural hair conditioner: Choose an all natural hair conditioner, a natural fabric softener, or your own fabric softener. It is an excellent addition to vinegar and essential oils in homemade dryer sheets because it enhances fabric softness without harsh chemicals. The conditioner coats fabric fibers gently, reducing static cling and making clothes smooth. Using a natural option ensures it’s free from artificial fragrances, dyes, or silicones, making it safe for sensitive skin and eco-friendly. Combined with vinegar and essential oils, it creates a non-toxic, cost-effective alternative to commercial fabric softeners, allowing you to customize scents naturally.
Step-by-Step Instructions for All Natural Laundry Dryer Sheets
- Prepare Your Flannel Cloths – Fold flannel clothes. See below for how I fold them so they continuously unfold as they are removed from the container.
- Mix the Ingredients—In a container, Combine 2 cups of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of all-natural hair conditioner, and 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oil. Whisk until the mixture is fully blended.
- Soak the Flannel Cloths – Place your pieces of fabric into the dispenser. Pour the mixture over the cloths until they are fully saturated. Seal the dispenser and shake gently to ensure even absorption.
- Add Safety Pins for Static Control – See tip below.
- Use Your Dryer Sheets – When you’re ready to dry a load of laundry, take one or two flannel sheets, wring out the excess moisture (if necessary), and toss it into the dryer with your wet laundry.
- Reusing the Sheets—After use, return the flannel cloths to the dispenser and re-soak them in the mixture for the next round. It’s easy, sustainable, and effective!
Procedure for Folding the Flannel Cloths
Pro Tip:
Attach a few safety pins to one of the flannel cloths before tossing it in the dryer. The metal of the safety pins naturally discharges static electricity, making it a simple and chemical-free way to combat static cling.
The Best Essential Oils and Their Benefits
Here are five of the best essential oils for DIY non-toxic laundry dryer sheets, chosen for their fresh scent and added benefits:
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Scent: Calming, floral, and clean.
- Benefits: Promotes relaxation and reduces stress, leaving your laundry with a soothing, spa-like aroma.
- Best Use: Perfect for bedding and towels to encourage restful sleep.
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Scent: Bright, clean, and citrusy.
- Benefits: Natural deodorizer with antibacterial properties that help freshen fabrics while uplifting your mood.
- Best Use: Great for everyday laundry and gym clothes.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Scent: Fresh, herbal, and invigorating.
- Benefits: Provides a crisp, clean scent while offering antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
- Best Use: Ideal for linens and clothes that need extra freshness, like towels or workwear.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Scent: Clean, medicinal, and slightly earthy.
- Benefits: Known for its antimicrobial and deodorizing qualities, it helps fight musty odors and buildup of bacteria.
- Best Use: Perfect for laundry prone to odor, like socks, sportswear, or cloth diapers.
- Orange Essential Oil
- Scent: Sweet, fruity, and uplifting.
- Benefits: Acts as a natural fabric refresher with mood-boosting effects, leaving clothes smelling bright and cheerful.
- Best Use: Excellent for seasonal laundry, like spring or summer clothing, or to add a cheerful touch to regular loads.
Pro Tip:
Combine oils like lavender and lemon or eucalyptus and tea tree for a fresh, natural fragrance with additional cleaning benefits!
Try These Combinations for Other Scent Options
Your choice of essential oils can make all the difference in how your laundry smells and feels. Here are some popular combinations:
- Eucalyptus & Lemon: A fresh, invigorating duo that’s perfect for energizing your day.
- Lavender & Vanilla: A calming blend to help you relax, especially great for bed linens.
- Citrus Burst: A mix of orange, grapefruit, and lemon for a bright, sunny vibe.
- Minty Fresh: Peppermint and spearmint essential oils for a clean and crisp aroma.
- Woodsy Comfort: Cedarwood and sandalwood for a warm, earthy fragrance.
Why Choose doTERRA Oils?
doTERRA essential oils are renowned for their purity and therapeutic benefits. They’re sourced responsibly and tested rigorously to ensure the highest quality, making them a great choice for recipes that touch your skin and clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Why should I use vinegar in homemade dryer sheets?
Vinegar naturally softens fabrics, reduces static cling, and helps remove residual soap or buildup from commercial detergents. Don’t worry—your clothes won’t smell like vinegar once they’ve dried!
2. How do natural conditioners and essential oils benefit dryer sheets?
Natural conditioner adds softness to your fabrics, while essential oils give your laundry a fresh, non-toxic fragrance. Plus, you can customize scents like lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus to suit your preferences.
3. Will these homemade dryer sheets reduce static?
Yes! The vinegar and natural conditioner help soften fabric fibers, reducing static buildup. If extra static remains, add safety pins to one of the flannel sheets for added effectiveness.
4. Are these dryer sheets safe for sensitive skin?
Absolutely! These dryer sheets use natural ingredients and avoid synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals. They are gentle on sensitive skin and great for babies’ laundry.
5. Will the essential oils leave any residue on my clothes?
No. When diluted correctly in vinegar and natural conditioner, essential oils won’t leave stains or residue on your clothes. Always mix thoroughly before use for even distribution.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Flannel Clothes with Dispenser | Wipes Dispenser | doTERRA Oils | doTERRA All Natural Hair Conditioner & Eucalyptus Oil |
Switching to homemade natural dryer sheets is a small change with big benefits. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also gain peace of mind knowing exactly what goes into your laundry routine. With this easy DIY project, you can take control of your home, eliminate toxic chemicals, and enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle.
Follow us on our social media website for more DIY recipes to replace store-bought household and pantry staples. Small changes make significant differences, and every step toward self-sufficiency counts!
If you try this recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram and Facebook @grindinggearsfarmstead.
Lechyd Da, (means “Cheers to Good Health” in Welsh)
Make Your Own Natural Laundry Dryer Sheets
Equipment
- Flannel Cloth Wipes with Dispenser
Ingredients
- 2 cups white distilled vinegar
- 1/4 cup all-natural hair conditioner unscented or lightly scented
- 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oil like doTERRA Eucalyptus, Lemon, or Lavender Need Oils?
Instructions
- Fold flannel cloths. See instructions in blog.
- In the dispenser/container, combine 2 cups of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of all-natural hair conditioner, and 25-30 drops of your favorite essential oil. Whisk until the mixture is fully blended.
- Soak the flannel cloths by placing your pieces of fabric into the dispenser. Push stack of cloths down to absorb the liquid, remove, flip over and resubmerge the stack of cloths to ensure even absorption.
How to Use
- When you’re ready to dry a load of laundry, take one or two flannel sheets, wring out the excess moisture (if necessary), and toss it into the dryer with your wet laundry.
Reusing the Sheets
- After use, return the flannel cloths to the dispenser and re-soak them in the mixture for the next round. Easy, sustainable, and effective!
