Put your worries to rest and try out these four alternatives to dryer sheets. You’ll love the idea of these non-toxic alternatives and can sleep easy knowing you’re not exposing your family to harmful chemicals.
Let’s face it, laundry has been, and will forever be, part of our weekly chores. And there are several products that are essential to getting this task done as effectively and efficiently as possible, some of which include detergent, bleach, fabric softener and, most importantly, dryer sheets. Yes, dryer sheets are essential if you want static-free, soft to the touch clothes.
Table of Contents
Alternatives
So what should you do, knowing that the mere act of drying your clothes may expose you to dangerous chemicals? Well, you can forego dryer sheets altogether; however, this may lead dry clothes riddle with static electricity, which may not be a viable option.
Conversely, you can opt for non-toxic alternatives that provide the same great benefits without any risk to your health.
Dryer Sheets and Big Business
Having outlined some of the dangers associated with traditional dryer sheets and providing some viable alternatives, let’s now take a closer look at the cost-savings that come with those alternatives. Although the average cost of dryer sheets equates to just pennies per sheet, the cost can quickly add up over the course of a year, assuming you do a load of laundry one or two times per week. In fact, according to iriworldwide.com, a market research company, the dryer sheet market has a valuation of over $400 million; that said, let’s take moment to analyze this data.
Multinational consumer goods company, Procter & Gamble is the biggest player in the dryer sheet market, owning 3.74% of the market due to their highly successful “Bounce” dryer sheets. Of course, Procter & Gamble is not the only player in the dryer sheet market; Snuggle fabric softener is another brand that is doing very well, averaging between $4 million and $6 million annually.
Total Cost of Doing Laundry
The laundry business is a juggernaut of a business; the average family of four can find themselves spending a king’s ransom to merely wash and dry their clothes. A study conducted by the Department of Energy & Multi-housing Laundry Association details the following figures as they pertain to the average household’s annual laundry expenditure:
- $141 on detergent
- $38 on bleach
- $65 on fabric softener/dryer sheets
- Assuming you have a washer and dryer in your home, $420 in utilities to heat the water and to run the dryer.
Unexpected Side Effects of Alternatives to Dryer Sheets
Air Drying your Clothes
Obviously, all of these costs can take a toll on a family’s budget, but fortunately, there are ways to reduce these expenses, especially when it comes to dryer sheets. As previously stated, you could forgo the dryer altogether and allow your clothes to air dry, but that comes at a cost. If you allow your clothes to dry on a clothesline, for example, you end up with clothes that a rigid to the touch, not to mention the fact that they are exposed to elements like rain and dirt.
Reusable Dryer Sheets
Similar to air drying your clothes, reusable dryer sheets can be an attractive alternative to traditional dryer sheets, but they, too, come at a cost. In fact, several Amazon customers have posted reviews detailing their experience with certain reusable dryer sheets, stating they were not as effective and often left their clothes full of static.
Dryer Balls
If you were considering dryer balls, they are a great alternative as they help to disperse heat evenly in the dryer, but are they worth it? Well, according to an article in popularmechanics.com, most consumers did not notice an appreciable difference in the softness of their clothes nor did they notice a reduction in static as a result of using them. However, many complained about the loud noise emanating from their dryers as the rubber orbs moved around their machines.
Homemade Dryer Sheets
Next on the list is homemade dryer sheets, this option is certainly cost-effective; however, in order for them to work effectively, they must be soaked in fabric softener, which has the same harmful chemicals found in traditional dryer sheets.
Distilled Vinegar
Although distilled vinegar is one of the popular dryer sheet alternatives, this option does present its own set of drawbacks. An article in cnet.com found that the chemical makeup of vinegar can damage your dryer, namely the rubber gaskets. So although you may be saving on dryer sheet cost, you may be damaging your dryer in the process.
The Best Choice for your Laundry Needs
What should you, as a consumer, purchase if you’re concerned about harmful chemicals or want to save money on your overall laundry costs? Well, you definitely have several options, but choosing the best option for you and your family is a matter of weighing the pros and the cons of each. That said, forgoing the dryer altogether could be the best option, especially since the drawbacks are minimal. Of course, the other dryer sheet alternatives are great, but they can each potentially damage your dryer.
As far as homemade and reusable alternatives to dryer sheets, they can both clog the lint screen in your dryer, posing a problem that is two-fold. If lint clogs the lint screen, your dryer will have to work harder to dry your clothes, and the harder it has the work, the higher your energy bill will be.
