Ah, there is nothing better than the clean smell of fresh laundry. Companies will have you believe that something as simple as a dryer sheet or fabric softner will have you frolicking amongst wild flowers with a cuddly teddy bear. Illusion? Yes!
Dryer sheets are pumped full of synthetic fragrances that perhaps smell like lavender, but in reality contain no lavender at all. Instead, those dryer sheets are toxic and loaded with harmful chemicals. Yes, even something as basic as a dryer sheet is something you should be conscious of. If reducing your toxic load is important to you than you have come to the right place.
If you aren’t sure, I’ll help give you a little information on just how toxic dryer sheets actually are. Here are a few of the main ingredients in dryer sheets and fabric softeners (not including formaldehyde) according to the EPA.
- Benzyl acetate: Linked to pancreatic cancer.
- Benzyl Alcohol: Upper respiratory tract irritant.
- Ethanol: On the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders.
- Limonene: Suspected Gastrointestinal or Liver Toxicant, Immunotoxicant, Kidney Toxicant, Neurotoxicant, Respiratory Toxicant, and Skin or Sense Organ Toxicant.
- A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage.
- Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list.
- Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders.
- Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic.
- Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders.
- Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
Dryer sheets when heated release a whole host of chemicals that you breathe in. Then those chemicals hang out on your skin afterwards. Sadly, several health issues are now being linked to the chemicals found in dryer sheets including: central nervous system disorders, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, allergic reaction to fragrance, irritation to skin and respiratory tract, and even pancreatic caner. No thanks!
Not to worry, I have the solution for you!
DIY 100% Wool Dryer Balls that you can add your favorite essential oil to. Check out my step-by-step tutorial on how to make these super easy, affordable, long lasting (up to several years) and effective dryer balls.
Start with 100% Wool Yarn. I found mine at Michael’s and it was around $3-4. You can make 2 dryer balls out of 100g of yarn. Total cost of project under $10.
Wrap the yarn around two fingers (middle and index) 10 times.
Then remove the yarn from your fingers and wrap the yarn around the middle 2 times to create a little bow. This is the beginning of your dryer ball.
Working with the yarn tight, begin wrapping the yarn around your starter bow until it begins to make a round shape like a ball. It won’t start out round, so keep wrapping in different directions until it starts shaping up.
Eventually it will be the size of a tennis ball and then you can cut off the end and tuck the yarn underneath the sides of the ball.
Repeat this process until you make 4 individual dryer balls.
With an old pair of panty hose, cut off one leg. Tie a knot at the end. Add one dryer ball at a time and then tie another knot as tight as you can. Finish that process until all 4 dryer balls are tied securely in the panty hose.
Then add your panty hose creation to a wash load of dirty clothes and set to clean on the hottest setting. This allows the yarn to felt and stay together, creating a solid ball. Once the washing cycle is complete, place it in the dryer with the clothes and dry on the highest heat.
Now they are ready for use. For every load of laundry just add those 4 balls to the drying process and toss out those old toxic dryer sheets. You will be left with chemical free, soft and fluffy clothes. Plus added bonus: they make your clothes dry faster!
The best part about these dryer balls? You can add your favorite scent with essential oils. Drop 2-3 drops on each ball and the scent will last several loads. If you desire a stronger scent you can add more essential oil.
Extra Tip: Try using white vinegar in place of the toxic fabric softener. It works wonders. It makes your clothes just as soft, and don’t worry it won’t smell like vinegar. You can add it to your wash load during the rince cycle, or just in the space allocated for softener in the front loaders. It’s great for getting rid of mildew smells as well.
Hope you enjoy making these dryer balls. It doesn’t take long to rid your life of another harmful chemical. Now that is cause for celebration, hooray!
