Making your own eco friendly dryer sheets is a simple and sustainable way to freshen your laundry without the chemicals found in commercial products. Not only are these homemade dryer sheets eco-friendly, but they are also non-toxic and incredibly cost-effective. Plus, using rolled-up socks as dryer balls is a fun way to repurpose worn or mismatched socks! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to make DIY dryer ball socks that will leave your clothes soft, static-free, and naturally scented.
With these eco-friendly dryer sheets, you can say goodbye to harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Making your own dryer sheets from simple household items like socks, vinegar, and essential oils is a rewarding way to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Plus, they‘ll leave your laundry room smelling amazing. Give it a try, and enjoy naturally soft, fresh-smelling laundry with your DIY dryer ball socks!
The why
Making your own dryer sheets is not only a simple and sustainable way to freshen your laundry, but for me, it’s also a necessity. With kids who suffer from eczema, I’ve learned the hard way conventional dryer sheets often contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can trigger skin reactions.
After several flare-ups, I made the decision to eliminate these harmful chemicals from our home. Instead, I started making my own dryer sheets, which not only eliminated toxic chemicals but also align with my values of eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. Plus, the added bonus is the creative touch—using rolled-up socks as dryer balls! It’s become a fun family project to repurpose old or mismatched socks, turning something so ordinary into a useful household tool. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through the simple steps of making DIY dryer ball socks that will leave your clothes soft, static-free, and gently scented with natural ingredients—perfect for sensitive skin like my kids’.
Switching to these eco-friendly dryer sheets has been such a relief. No more worrying about harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances sneaking into our laundry routine. I’ve found that by making my own dryer sheets from simple items around the house—like socks, vinegar, and essential oils—I’m not only reducing waste but also safeguarding my family’s health. The homemade version is so much gentler on the skin, and I feel more at peace knowing exactly what’s touching our clothes. It’s an incredibly rewarding way to embrace sustainable living, knowing that my laundry smells fresh and feels soft without compromising on our well-being. Give it a try, and you might find, like I did, that naturally fresh laundry can come without the worry of eczema flare-ups, thanks to DIY dryer ball socks!
Ingredients for eco-friendly dryer sheets
Essentials
Socks. Choose old, mismatched, or worn-out socks from natural materials that you no longer use. These socks will be rolled into balls to act as your DIY dryer ball socks. This helps to reduce static cling and soften clothes without waste. If you have kids, this is a great opportunity to prolong the home life of those socks your little ones have grown out of. Even if you use your own stray sock whose buddy eventually turns up in the clean clothes pile, you can simply put them in the next wash cycle and wear whatever you use again.
Glass jar with lid. A sealable glass jar is the perfect eco-friendly option to store your homemade dryer sheets between uses. Glass is durable and won’t leach any chemicals into your solution, ensuring your dryer sheets remain non-toxic. If you’re out of glass jars at the moment, use whatever container you have available. Next time you finish a jar of jam or tomato sauce, simply clean the jar and re-purpose it as a dryer ball socks container.
Dryer sheet solution
Water. Water acts as a base for your dryer sheet solution. Adding a bit of moisture helps the dryer balls carry the fresh scent and reduce static in the dryer. It also helps your solution last quite a few loads of laundry.
White vinegar. A natural fabric softener, white vinegar helps soften clothes and reduce static cling. It’s an eco-friendly alternative to conventional softeners and leaves no residue on your fabrics. I love using white vinegar in my home. It has so many uses and is one of the most effective, cost efficient household ingredients you can buy.
Scents
Essential oils. Everyone loves the smell of freshly washed laundry. Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils are sustainable alternatives to infuse your laundry with fragrance without harsh chemicals. Popular options include lavender, eucalyptus, or lemon. Feel free to choose any oils that you like or have access to. I had a range of essential oil blends gifted to me for a diffuser. But with the high humidity levels over here I much rather use them for my eco friendly dryer sheets.
How to make your own batch of Eco-Friendly Dryer Sheets
Start by preparing your socks. Gather a couple of old socks and roll each one tightly into a ball. Make sure the ball is firm enough to hold its shape in the dryer. These sock balls will act as the base for your homemade dryer sheets.
Make the dryer sheet solution next. In your glass jar, combine 1 cup of water and ½ cup of white vinegar. Add about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix. Depending on how strong you want the scent to be, add a few extra drops. Shake the jar well to mix the solution. Make sure to take this step before adding your sock balls to have the oils distribute evenly before soaking.
Next, soak the sock balls. Place your rolled-up sock balls into the jar, making sure they’re fully submerged in the solution. Let them soak for at least 5 minutes before you use the first ball in your laundry.
When laundry day comes around, take one of the soaked sock balls out of the jar and squeeze out the excess solution. Move your clothes from the washing machine into the tumble dryer. Throw the diy dryer sheets in with your wet clothes and let them work their magic! The hot air will release the vinegar and essential oil mixture as it tumbles. This softens your clothes and leaving them smelling fresh.
Once you’re done with your laundry, you can store the sock balls back in the jar to keep them fresh for next time. If the solution starts to run low, simply top it up with more water, vinegar, and essential oils as needed. These natural alternatives are such a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Handy Tips and Tricks
Add more essential oils. If you prefer a stronger scent, feel free to add a few extra drops of essential oil to the mixture. If you’re not entirely sure how much to add, start by topping an individual sock ball with a few extra drops before placing it in the dryer.
Use old, stained or damaged clothing instead of socks. Your DIY dryer ball socks can be used over and over again. But if you don’t have as many stray socks as me, simply use another piece of fabric instead. Great choices are anything the kids have grown out of, cut up old t-shirts or stained tea towels.
Don’t worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar! The vinegar smell evaporates during the drying cycle, leaving only the fresh smell of your chosen essential oils.
In addition to creating softer clothes, the vinegar in your solution reduces the static electricity. For especially static-prone types of fabrics, adding a couple of sock balls to a load of laundry can help even more.
Other DYIs
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Frequently asked questions
How do you make environmentally friendly dryer sheets?
To make eco-friendly dryer sheets, you can use fabric scraps or old socks. While my recipe above uses white vinegar, there are a few alternatives available . Soak the pieces of fabric in a mixture of water, a few drops of essential oils, and a small amount of alcohol to help disperse the oils. This method creates non-toxic dryer sheets that are reusable and chemical-free. For those who prefer alternatives to vinegar, this method offers eco-friendly dryer sheets for clothes without vinegar.
How do you make dryer balls smell like dryer sheets?
To make DIY dryer balls smell like regular dryer sheets, simply add a few drops of your favourite essential oils. Great options are lavender or lemon. When using natural, plant-based ingredients you will sometimes need to experiment with the amounts used to perfect the recipe to your liking. Some essential oils have a much stronger smell than others. The oil you choose will often dictate how much you use in your recipe. I have suggested 15 drops on 1 1/2 cups of liquid to begin with. Feel free to adapt this amount as you go.
Can you use dryer balls instead of dryer sheets?
Yes, you can use dryer balls instead of traditional dryer sheets. Wool dryer balls are a great eco-friendly dryer sheet alternative as they reduce drying time, soften fabrics naturally, and prevent static. I prefer my DIY dryer balls socks, where old socks serve as a creative alternative to dryer balls.
What is a natural alternative to dryer sheets?
Wool balls are one of the best eco friendly dryer sheets alternatives. They are reusable and chemical-free, making them ideal in a home with children. Homemade dryer sheets using natural fabrics soaked in essential oils are another option. If you prefer not to use vinegar, you can make homemade dryer sheets without vinegar using just water and essential oils.
Why do my dryer balls smell bad?
Dryer balls may start to smell bad if they retain moisture or absorb odours over time. To refresh them, wash them in hot water and let them dry completely in the sun. If your dryer balls are made of pieces of fabric like my DIY dryer ball socks, make sure to untangle them before washing. Adding essential oils can also help eliminate odours, similar to the effect of non-toxic dryer sheets. Saying this, the first step should always be to ensure the fabric is dry, to rule out damp as the source of the bad smell.
Which essential oils are safe for dryers?
Essential oils are generally safe for dryers including the popular lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, and tea tree. These oils can be used in homemade dryer sheets with essential oils or directly on commercially made dryer balls. Just make sure the oils are fully absorbed into the fabric or dryer balls before use and squeeze out any excess liquid before placing the dryer ball with your washing.
Can you use linen spray on dryer balls?
While linen spray can be used on dryer balls, it’s recommended to use essential oils for a longer-lasting and safer scent. Using linen spray might not have the same effect as making your own dryer sheets or using homemade dryer sheets with essential oils, as the oils are more concentrated and effective in the dryer. Instead of applying linen spray to dryer balls, you might be better off to gently spray your dry washing before taking off the line.
Eco-friendly dryer sheets
These homemade dryer sheets are eco-friendly, non-toxic and incredibly cost-effective.
Materials
- 5 socks
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 15 drops of your favourite essential oil
Tools
- 1 Glass jar with lid
Instructions
- Start by preparing your socks. Gather a couple of old socks and roll each one tightly into a ball. Make sure the ball is firm enough to hold its shape in the dryer. These sock balls will act as the base for your homemade dryer sheets.
- Make the dryer sheet solution next. In your glass jar, combine 1 cup of water and ½ cup of white vinegar. Add about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mix. Depending on how strong you want the scent to be, add a few extra drops. Shake the jar well to mix the solution. Make sure to take this step before adding your sock balls to have the oils distribute evenly before soaking.
- Next, soak the sock balls. Place your rolled-up sock balls into the jar, making sure they’re fully submerged in the solution. Let them soak for at least 5 minutes before you use the first ball in your laundry.
- When laundry day comes around, take one of the soaked sock balls out of the jar and squeeze out the excess solution. Move your clothes from the washing machine into the tumble dryer. Throw the diy dryer sheets in with your wet clothes and let them work their magic! The hot air will release the vinegar and essential oil mixture as it tumbles. This softens your clothes and leaving them smelling fresh.
- Once you’re done with your laundry, you can store the sock balls back in the jar to keep them fresh for next time. If the solution starts to run low, simply top it up with more water, vinegar, and essential oils as needed. These natural alternatives are such a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Notes
- Add more essential oils. If you prefer a stronger scent, feel free to add a few extra drops of essential oil to the mixture. If you’re not entirely sure how much to add, start by topping an individual sock ball with a few extra drops before placing it in the dryer.
- Use old, stained or damaged clothing instead of socks. Your DIY dryer ball socks can be used over and over again.But if you don’t have as many stray socks as me, simply use another piece of fabric instead. Great choices are anything the kids have grown out of, cut up old t-shirts or stained tea towels.
- Don’t worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar! The vinegar smell evaporates during the drying cycle, leaving only the fresh smell of your chosen essential oils.
- In addition to creating softer clothes, the vinegar in your solution reduces the static electricity. For especially static-prone types of fabrics, adding a couple of sock balls to a load of laundry can help even more.
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