Dryer sheets can be expensive to repurchase and may even seem wasteful. If you’re in the middle of laundry and realize you have no dryer sheets, these hacks are perfect for you.
Even if you’re just Frugal-Fran, looking to save a buck, the laundry is an excellent place to start. Just follow any one of these methods to replace those disposable dryer sheets.
Here are 10 different ways to make dryer sheets.
Strips of Old T-Shirt
For this method, you will need: A T-shirt you no longer need, vinegar and a glass jar. Just cut the t-shirt into strips and fold them into the jar in any style you like.
Pour the vinegar over them until they are completely immersed. You can store these in you laundry room and use them at will.
Once one is used you can put it back into the jar to soak again. Before you toss it into the dryer, you may want to squeeze out the excess vinegar.
Sponges
Sponges make excellent dryer sheets. This recipe calls for sponges like the kind you use in the kitchen, fabric softener and a plastic container.
You may choose to cut up the sponges or leave them whole. Stuff them into the jar and pour your choice of fabric softener all over them.
Allow them to sit and absorb all the fabric softener. Once the sponges have swollen, they’re ready for use. Just pop them into the dryer and enjoy fresh, static free clothes.
Reusable Wipes
These call for reusable baby wipes. These come at a certain size, so there is no need for cutting. Just get 2-3 packs of four and place them in a glass jar or wipes container.
Saturate them with a few drops of your favorite essential oil to get them ready for use. The oil will help your clothes to maintain a great scent while keeping them separated in the dryer.
You can mix and match essential oils for a customizable scent or just keep it simple.
Cotton Cloth
Cotton cloth can be found in the home and kitchen section of your grocery store. They are also known as reusable kitchen wipes.
These are thin, so pick up plenty. you can get different colors and patterns to match your taste. Simply, cut these along the fold lines to resize them.
Fold them into triangles (like pocket squares and put them in your container. Pour a mixture of 1 part fabric softener and 1 part water and let them sit.
Pull on just 1 on laundry day for a fresh load of laundry.
Dish Rags
Dish rags or kitchen towels can also be used to make dryer sheets. Just lay them flat in a glass container and soak them in vinegar.
Add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil to create a fabulous scent. For use, just drop 1 sheet into your dryer load and let it spin.
The laundry will finish soft and without static cling. Just place the use rag on the bottom of the pile to soak. You’ll find that you’re using these several times over.
Socks
You can create a container of socks or do this to a freshly washed pair. Just soak your socks in fabric softener and drop them in the dryer load.
This method is a personal favorite because it can be done on the spot. As you finish your wash cycle, reach for a foot or pair of socks that have been washed.
Saturate this in vinegar or fabric softener and add it to your dryer load. An added bonus is that your socks will be exceptionally soft.
Strips of Bed Linen
For an even more cost effective way to get dryer sheets, use bed linen. Take a soft sheet and cut it into strips. Roll each strip and tuck it into a tall, sealable glass jar.
Then you can add vinegar until it is completely soaked. Let it sit in wait on laundry day. On laundry day, just reach for a roll and place it in the dryer.
When it’s done, set it aside for reusing. These will seriously seem to last forever and are reusable for every time you run out.
Flannel Fabric
If you have some pajamas that you no longer want to wear, repurpose them for dryer sheets. Just cut up a section of the material.
Make it small enough to fit into a container or 5×5 inches small. Pour fabric softener onto the fabric and place it into your container.
For each dryer load, just drop 1 or 2 pieces to see a difference in your dryer load. The flannel fabric is soft and light and will hold on to the fabric softener for maximum use.
Bath Poufs
Bath poufs come in 2 forms, a sponge or a mesh type material that’s a bit more rough. The better one to use is the soft sponge kind.
Just put a few of these into a container of your choice. Soak them in vinegar and essential oils. The quantities you use will depend on the amount of sponges in your container.
Use enough for them to be 3/4 of the way submerged. Allow them to sit and absorb the moisture until there seems to be nothing left in the jar.
Aluminum Foil Balls
These are a bit out of the ball park. Aluminum foil balls can be used as dryer sheets. These will reduce static cling and keep your laundry separated in the dry cycle.
In doing this they also help to speed up the drying process. Just crumple a few pieces of foil paper into 2 inch thick balls. keep them in a container close to your dryer.
Before you run your dry cycle, just drop 2 or 3 of them into the dryer. These are highly reusable and can stay in the dryer for up to 3 loads.
10 Different Ways To Make Your Own Dryer Sheets
Ten creative and inexpensive ways to make your own dryer sheets at home. Making these dryer sheets will come at no extra cost to you.
Instructions
Strips of Old T-Shirt
Sponges
Reusable Wipes
Cotton Cloth
Dish Rags
Socks
Strips of Bed Linen
Flannel Fabric
Bath Poufs
Aluminum Foil Balls
If you’re looking to save some money, making your own dryer sheets are a great way. If you need dryer sheets in a hurry, you can use materials that are accessible in your home.
These will only cost a few pennies and will last for forever and a day. Just choose the method that best suits your lifestyle.
For those looking to save, you can use sponges, reusable wipes or bed linen. And for those that need a quick fix in a hurry, you may choose to go with aluminum foil balls or socks.
