Reusable Dryer Sheets
We do lots of laundry. Actually, to say we do lots of laundry is an grand understatement. Because of this never-ending chore, we've noticed how many dryer sheets we use and figured that there had to be a way for us to make them ourselves. Not only were we looking for a homemade option but one that was greener too. After all, all those dryer sheets just end up in our landfills after one use, and we knew there had to be a way to make reusable ones. Turns out we were right! We were first turned on to this idea by "Homemade Nana", and we think she found it here.What You Need:
- Strips of flannel (ours were scraps we had on hand but you can also use worn-out sheets or cut up that old shirt of your husband's!)
- Scissors
- A medium-sized plastic container with lid (we re-purposed a cleaned-out sour cream container)
- A favorite brand of liquid fabric softener (we had some from when we made our Wrinkle Release Spray!)
- Hot water
Place your strips into your container, making sure they all fit comfortably and the lid can go on.
Mix up a solution of 4 parts liquid fabric softener and 10 parts hot water. Pour the solution over the strips of flannel in the container, secure the lid, and shake it up to make sure the strips soak up the solution. Let it sit for at least two days...although to be honest we couldn't wait and used it the same day we made it!
When you are ready to do some laundry, just pull out one strip, squeeze out the excess solution, and throw it in the dryer with your wet clothes like you normally would with a commercial dryer sheet! Used strips can be put back into the container with the solution and used again!
Source: Homemade Mamas
That's an excellent idea! In the days when I was working, and using my tumble dryer, I reused my Bounce sheets by putting them behind the radiators around the house - to make the rooms smell nice! These days the dryer is only used very, very occasionally. I usually dry my laundry on the rads or on the airer overnight!
ReplyDeleteI used to reuse dryer sheets by putting them with the out of season clothes, also in drawers as a "sachet", and in a pinch as a stabilizer when sewing...lately I've been doing a lot of line drying or a clothes rack.
ReplyDeleteWe're in an apartment and are forbidden to dry laundry on our balcony. I hang many of my clothes in the bathroom and our bedroom to dry but the big stuff - linens and towels, etc - ends up in the dryer. I'll be putting your handy tip to good use. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have found that some fabrics (especially silk) will spot (a greasy looking spot) from most fabric softeners and sheets -- I always put the sheets in a plastic bag left open in the top of containers that clothing is stored in....
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