dryer sheet alternative

[MommyHawk]

looking for one that not only helps with static cling, but has a little nice sent, not a whole lot

[hmkrueger]

I don't know if this is an option for you, but by having switched detergents, I find I don't need fabric softener. Could be my water, and I still have static, but...

Otherwise you might try http://blog.pennlive.com/naturallivi...er_sheets.html those or http://teamsugar.com/group/1565473/blog/1590821 those.

hth!

Holly

Lily Jan 1999, Cole Oct 2001, Annie Oct 2005, Blaise Oct 2007

[dillonandmarasmom]

I don't regularly use the dryer, but if I do, I use vinegar in the rinse cycle of the wash. You won't smell it...promise.

[Mallori]

Vinegar in a downy ball. No scent, but does the job. Get a good body butter for the scent.

[MommyHawk]

Originally Posted by Mallori

Vinegar in a downy ball. No scent, but does the job. Get a good body butter for the scent.

what?...vinegar in a downy ball? what kind of vinegar? how much, where is this ball thing you mention...and body butter??? huh?

[MommyHawk]

Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom

I don't regularly use the dryer, but if I do, I use vinegar in the rinse cycle of the wash. You won't smell it...promise.

again, what??? how much and what kind of vinegar...and why do you use it? is it a softener? can you use it with the diapers too???

obviously I'm clueless here

[hmkrueger]

I was reading about this on another MDC thread about vinegar in laundry, not just for dipes...you add vinegar either to the water as the washer is filling, or to your washer's auto-fabric softener dispenser, or to a Downy ball (you can get it at the grocery or Target). It's plain white vinegar! Super-cheap. And although I HATE the smell, it's really true you can't smell it after the clothes are dry!

Holly

Lily Jan 1999, Cole Oct 2001, Annie Oct 2005, Blaise Oct 2007

[His Own]

Yep! White vinegar is all I have used for years and years. It removes excess detergent/soap and leaves the clothing pretty soft. I have really hard water, and it seems to help with that too.

[thixle]

Hoo-ray vinegar!
That's what I use, my downey ball broke (and can't find a replacement within a 30 mile radius)... but I just pour it in like fabric softener in the rinse cycle.
Doesn't smell like vinegar after the clothes are dry, I swear!
Really takes out the musty-towel smell, too.

[Ruthla]

I haven't used dryer sheets in years. I'll put a few drops of lavendar oil on one of hte damp items before running the dryer if I want some scent.

The best way to avoid static cling is to avoid overdrying. I only put cotton items in the dryer, and I dry on the lowest effective setting- generally "low" but sometimes "medium" for towels. I do have a few synthetic clothing items, but I generally hang them to dry (or deal with the resultant static cling if I'm lazy that day.)

[Penuche]

I haven't used any kind of dryer sheet in years, either. We don't use fabric softener. I haven't noticed any difference in our clothes, except that they don't have a scent, but we try to avoid those anyway. Ruthla's idea of lavender oil seems like a good one if you want a specific scent.

[sunnysandiegan]

What others have said.

I haven't used liquid fabric softener in years and I haven't used dryer sheets in ages. The smells bothered me, but essential oils on a damp rag/fabric would work well for scenting naturally.

I use white vinegar (buy it by the gallon for many cleaning uses) and pour it into my washer's fabric softener dispenser for many loads.

Like Ruthla, I have found the best way to avoid static is to use a lower heat setting ("low" or "delicates") and shorten the time. Hanging things up immediately out of the dryer avoids wrinkles, fwiw. (I never iron clothes...only for quilting/sewing/crafts. LOL) I also air dry synthetic clothes and synthetic blends. Sometimes I toss them in the dryer for a few minutes first to soften them up and speed up the drying time (mostly in winter, which is our damp time).

[LilLala]

I love vinegar and have been using it for some time as a fabric softener. You can't smell on most of our clothes, but I have to say that you can smell it on our workout clothes (once they get wet again from sweating)
I do find that using an EO with it helps.

ETA: I have also used Mrs. Meyers dryer sheets. I like them, too.