DH insists on fabric softener sheets

[stretch358]

DH loves his laundry to smell nice. Does any one have a way to do this without all of the chemicals?

I am working on ridding my house of chemical products, Personal care for me is done, I'm still working on DH. Now it is time for the laundry. I mostly use sports wash, because I can get it at a discount, and I use vinegar as a fabric softerner on the towels. The Fabric softener sheets are my main sticking point. I need some way of scenting my laundry.

[Sour-Jane]

I've heard that a wash cloth with hair conditioner on it can be used instead of dryer sheets. Maybe a wash cloth with some essential oil on it could be used for scent?

There are also dryer sachets that you can make, I'm not entirely sure as to how to make them, but I'm sure if you looked up "diy dryer sachets" you'll be able to find something.

Is it possible to line dry where you are? Maybe "scent" your clothing with fresh air?

[filiadeluna]

Shaklee sells chemical-free environmentally friendly dryer sheets, as well as detergent and anything else you would use to clean your home!

[jyurina]

You can make your own with EO by putting one to two drops on a washcloth and adding it like a dryer sheet to your load of laundry. The cheap little baby washcloths are perfect for this.

[spughy]

You could also use a small sachet of herbs, like lavender - just toss it in with the wet laundry. It'd probably last for a while, just make it openable yet secure so you can replace the herbs as necessary. Lemon verbena would add a nice scent too.

[binkin]

Do the EOs help with static? I don't use dryer sheets anyway (they make me break out in a rash) but I would like something to help eliminate all the static on my clothes and hair. The air gets so dry in here in the winter!

[DBZ]

I use dryer sheets made by Sun and Earth. They are non-toxic and biodegradable. They are orange scented and work on static fairly well. The scent is barely noticable when it comes out of the dryer. My local HFS said they'd sell Sun and Earth products if they weren't available at the grocery store.

[stretch358]

I like the EO on washcloths Idea. What scents do you like for clothes. I will try Lavender for the bedding, but I doubt DH will want to smell like flowers all day. He likes to act macho in front of the guys.

[AlbertaJes]

I use a lavender sachet for all our clothes. Including DH's clothes. It doesn't smell like flowers, just smells really fresh and outdoorsy. My DH was worried about smelling flowery too, but he likes the lavender now.

[spiderdust]

Do they have to be dryer sheets? Ecover makes a fairly good liquid fabric softener.

[jyurina]

I would think sandalwood or lemon grass would be suitably manly

[Ruthla]

I sometimes put a couple drops of lavendar oil into the dryer, on top the the wet clothes before tumbling. I'm too lazy to put it on a washcloth first.

I'm not sure about "manly" fragrances- maybe citrus oils? The only "man" in my house is 6 years old and likes to play with dolls.

[North_Of_60]

I pull the filter out and put a few drops of EO right on the filter. Vanilla is my favorite.

[Black Orchid]

Is Method bad stuff? That is what I use and I just bought a bunch on clearance at Target. It is lavendar and they also have an "air" scent. I am pretty sensitive to smells and it doesn't bother me a bit. I also second the dry cloth with EO. Yummy!

[starkyld]

I use the method dryer sheets and then I reuse them for kitchen and bathroom cleaning.

[junestars]

I use the mrs. meyers brand for certain loads (like towels) where it's needed.

[Verity]

I don't see the need for fabric softener, but my dh cannot stand static electricity. I don't like to use liquid fabric softenere because I'm always washing at least a few towels with the other wash, and fabric softener makes them less absorbent.

Since my dh can't seem to live without dryer sheets, it would be nice to find a brand that's better for the environment.

[the2amigos]

I've been trying to go without fabric sheets for the environmental/chemical aspect. I've tried vinegar. I use Charlies soap now for all our wash.

But the static is KILLING ME! At night you can literally see sparks when you move, not cool, very annoying. My work dress pants cling to me, which is not a good look when you have an extra 40+ pounds on you!

I'd love to find an answer, other than $$$$$ "natural" dryer sheets. I love the idea of EO for scent, but what about the static???

[counterGOPI]

: my dh is the same way but for him it/s b/c of static not the smell.

[GenB]

My family likes the laundry to smell nice, too and they also gripe about static. I've tried Arm and Hammer Essentials dryer sheets which are supposed to be less toxic than some of the other stuff. They smell very strongly in the box but not onthe clothes and they eliminate the static.

What I have found, though, is that after years of using heavily scented laundry products, now nothing else scents the clothes enough for my children. DS especially, likes for his clothes to smell really good (for girl snuggling, I suppose.) BUT, I have gotten used to having no scent and now clothes in conventional detergents really reek to me. My fam is slowly turning that way, too. To satisfy DS and to ensure that the women all find him cool enough, I filled a fine mist spray bottle with water and added rosemary eo, a bit of lavendar and some citrus and made a wonderful spray tha I use on his sheets, shirts, etc. It leaves a fresh (temporary) scent without being overpowering adn it zaps the static, as well.