Make Your Own Dryer Softener Sheets
Winter can be the time of year when the clothing coming out of our dryer can be crackling and snapping with static. This year I decided to do something about it by trying out this simple homemade way to make your own dryer sheets. I don’t know why I didn’t get around to doing this before because it was a very easy frugal solution!
How To Make Homemade Dryer Sheets
To get started making DIY dryer sheets you will need two items: washcloths and fabric softener. I kept things inexpensive by using plain white washcloths from Walmart and using fabric softener from the dollar store.
To turn you washcloths into dryer sheets, put the washcloths in a bowl and pour in enough fabric softener to soak them well. Let the washcloths sit for a few minutes in the fabric softener to make sure they have soaked up as much as they can.
Then squeeze or wring them out a bit (so that they are not drippy) and hang them somewhere to dry completely.
Once they are completely dry you can start using them the same way as you would any store bought dryer sheet. Just toss one into the dryer with a load of clothing.
You can resoak and dry your washcloths as needed when you feel the fabric softener power is wearing off. You should be able to use them for a few months before they need to be soaked again.
These homemade dryer sheets have been working well for me and in fact the hardest part of using my homemade dryer sheets is remembering to toss them in the dryer. And that’s not the fault of the dryer sheet 🙂
Bonus Idea: If you have fabric softener in the house, you might want to make your own wrinkle release spray too. The recipe uses only a few teaspoons of fabric softener and works great!
Homemade Anti-Static Dryer Sheets
Equipment:
- Large Bowl (for soaking)
Materials:
- Washcloths
- Fabric Softener
Instructions:
- Place your washcloths in a large bowl and pour enough fabric softener over them to soak them well.
- Let the washcloths sit for a few minutes in the fabric softener to make sure they have soaked up as much as they can.
- Then squeeze or wring them out a bit (so that they are not drippy) and hang them somewhere to dry completely
- Once they are completely dry you can start using them the same way as you would any store bought dryer sheet. Just toss one into the dryer with a load of clothing.
- You can resoak and dry your washcloths as needed when you feel the fabric softener power is wearing off. You should be able to use them for a few months before they need to be soaked again.
Bev, Thank you! so much for all your easier ways for laundry soaps-
I have done a full year now on your baking soda, washing soda Epsom salt. This is my favorite, thank you! the clothes are not stinky
Yes, I notice the homemade copycat Molly suds laundry soap recipe does a fine job of getting rid of odors. I’ve been faithfully using it too!
Beverly: I was doing laundry and was out of fabric softener, so I substituted hair conditioner and it worked great. I now buy cheap conditioner in the $ store to use.
Why not just dilute softener with a water (1:1), throw a few sponges in the mixture and when you’re ready to dry the clothes, squeeze the sponge out a bit and through it in the dryer? No waiting for the sponges to dry. Wonder if anyone has tried this technique.
Lisa I have been using sponges in a bottle with inexpensive hair conditioner. add small amount of water to fill container i like this method and can change to any smell or non smell
wouldn’t putting the softener in the wash/rinse be simpler?
That could be true Eve,but I find it easier to remember to toss a homemade sheet in the dryer.
Yes, but wouldn’t be saving any money or helping as much with static from dryer.
I have been using the hair conditioner/vinegar/water recipe for years now. In summer, clothes are out on the line; in winter, they hang in house to dry. However, some clothes end up stiff and wrinkled. Solution: I make cleaning cloths out of well-used towels, about 12″x12″ – cost: free. I wet the cloth, wring it out well, then pour a regular cap’s-worth of my homemade softener on it. Stiff clothes go in the dryer along with the damp cloth. There’s enough steam produced in 15 minutes of drying time to de-wrinkle and soften the entire load. Dead easy, and has really cut expenses for winter laundry! Thank you for your hard work and excellent blog!
Might be good to use some dark washcloths for dark clothes.
That’s a good thought as some light washcloths could potentially leave lint. I haven’t had any issues, but I used the really cheapo washcloths from the store too.