You’ve heard this one before: Dryer sheets are bad for the environment. But, you might be surprised to learn, there are eco-friendly dryer sheets on the market. Here are some of our favourite natural dryer sheets that leave your clothes smelling fresh and clean.
Eco-Friendly Dryer Sheets 101
What are eco-friendly dryer sheets?
The first thing you should know about eco-friendly dryer sheets is that they are using renewable resources. Eco-friendly dryer sheets are also biodegradable and free of harsh chemicals, making them more environmentally friendly than traditional dryer sheets.
On top of being safer for the environment, eco-friendly dryer sheets can also help reduce static electricity. Next, using this product will help reduce your household’s energy consumption while keeping your clothes looking fresh and clean.
How do eco-friendly dryer sheets work?
Eco-friendly dryer sheets do not have any of the harsh chemicals that conventional dryer sheets contain. This means you don’t have to worry about how they are affecting your clothes. They also last much longer than traditional dryer sheets. This means you can spend less money on them in the long term. These eco-friendly alternatives keep clothes smelling fresh and static-free while being safe for use on all fabrics.
Why are regular dryer sheets bad for the environment?
You may be surprised to learn that most regular, non-organic dryer sheets are made of chemicals. They’re not biodegradable, and when they go into the landfill, they don’t break down like other materials in there do. Instead, they just sit there and leach harmful toxins into the ground. This could lead to negative impacts on local water sources and wildlife.
5 Tips for Reducing Static Electricity with Eco-friendly Dryer Sheets
Invest in a humidifier
A humidifier can help reduce static electricity. If you have a dryer, consider purchasing a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist. Then, use the dryer sheet to reduce static as you dry your clothing. If you use an electric dryer and don’t already have a humidifier, consider purchasing one for your house or apartment.
Use air conditioning wisely
Another simple way to reduce static is to use your air conditioning wisely. It’s hard to know how much electricity you’re using, but there may be times when you could use less. For example, if you live in a mild climate or have an older home where the heating and cooling system works well enough without needing to run all day long, consider lowering the temperature in your home at night and during the day when no one is there (especially before going out).
If this doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do now or ever — that’s fine too! You can still take steps toward reducing static without sacrificing comfort. This is by turning off some of those unnecessary lights and appliances while you’re not using them.
Avoid wool.
Your clothes, bedding, and any fabric that will be washed or dried will benefit from avoiding wool. Wool itself is an excellent insulator, which means it keeps heat in. But when it comes to static electricity (and the resulting sparks), wool is a poor choice. This is because it’s so soft that friction between the cloth and other surfaces will probably increase. This causes static. A higher thread count on clothing doesn’t necessarily mean less static either. It just means there are more threads per inch of fabric, making for less friction during movement.
Keep fabrics loose.
Keeping your clothes loose is an easy way to reduce static electricity. Loose clothing dries faster, which means you can save money on energy costs. Also, having looser clothes makes ironing easier and more comfortable for the user because it reduces wrinkles. A good rule of thumb is to allow one inch of extra fabric in each direction (side-to-side, up and down).
Avoid overdrying your clothes
Overdrying your clothes is a surefire way to attract static electricity. It can also damage your garments and waste energy. The longer the dryer runs, the more heat is released into your home. You’re not only wasting money on higher utility bills but also contributing to global warming.
Additionally, overdrying causes fabrics to take in excess water from the air. This leaves them stiff and prone to pilling when they’re worn. This accelerates fabric deterioration as well as wrinkling. When you use your dryer to reduce static buildup or just because it’s easier, you end up with unwanted wrinkles.
7 Eco-Friendly Alternatives To Your Typical Dryer Sheets
Art Of Green
Art Of Green Fragrance Booster Dryer Sheets come from 100% recycled materials and are free of dyes, perfumes, phthalates, and animal ingredients. Their products are safe for sensitive skin and contain no synthetic fragrances or chemicals that may irritate it. The company’s signature product contains plant-based ingredients such as aloe vera to soothe your dryer’s skin after each use. These sheets are also ideal for allergy sufferers because the manufacturing process does not include any synthetic chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Dr. Easy
If you’re looking for eco-friendly alternatives to your typical dryer sheets, Dr. Easy Dryer Sheets are a good place to start. These clothes come from 100% natural ingredients and are designed to be used with any type of clothing. They don’t contain dyes, fragrances, or sulfates. The best part about this product? It’s safe for everyone in your family—from babies to adults!
Method Dryer Sheets
The most obvious difference between Method‘s Dryer Sheets and the traditional ones you’re used to is that they’re made from recycled materials, which is always a good thing. But their eco-friendly products don’t stop there. They also don’t use any artificial fragrances or petroleum-based ingredients. It contains no phosphates (which are sometimes present in non-natural detergents), nor dyes or optical brighteners. And it gets even better—Method doesn’t test its products on animals either!
Mrs. Meyer’s
If you’re looking for an alternative to dryer sheets, but still want the fresh scent that comes with them, Mrs. Meyer‘s Dryer Sheets might be your answer. These 100% naturally derived fabric softeners which come from essential oils and other natural ingredients. They deliver the same benefits as traditional dryer sheets without harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances including dyes and phthalates. Each box contains eight sheets that usable up to 30 times each before they’ll need replacement.
Downy
If you’re the type of person who prefers to keep things as natural and environmentally friendly as possible, you’ve probably heard of Downy Infusions Dryer Sheets. These sheets consist of 100% recycled plastic bottles, which makes them biodegradable and free of dyes and perfumes. Your clothes will come out smelling fresh thanks to the scents these dryer sheets have in them. They also contain fabric softener to soften your clothes as well! If this sounds like a good fit for your lifestyle, then look no further!
Gain
If you want to keep your clothes smelling fresh without using any chemicals, then we recommend Gain Dryer Sheets. These soft sheets come from 100% renewable resources and have no artificial fragrances or dyes. They also don’t contain chlorine bleaching or phosphates and never test on animals. They’re even made in the USA!
Frey
Frey Naturally Scented Dryer Sheets are a great option for those who want to be as eco-friendly as possible. They’re using all-natural ingredients, including bamboo and lavender, which makes them hypoallergenic and safe to use on sensitive skin. They don’t contain dyes or perfumes either. Just a touch of lemon oil that smells great but won’t irritate your nose or skin. Frey Naturally Scented Dryer Sheets are 100% biodegradable, 100% plant-based, 100% compostable, recyclable, and vegan (and cruelty-free).
Conclusion
We hope that you have enjoyed reading about our top picks for eco-friendly dryer sheets. While some of them are a bit more expensive than their conventional counterparts, they are all made from sustainable materials, which makes them an excellent option for anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint and live a more conscious lifestyle. Know the ABCs of eco-friendly fabric softeners for your next laundry here.
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