Dryer Sheet Alternatives: Why You May Not Want To Toss In A Dryer Sheet With Your Next Load Of Laundry

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Dryer sheets are one of those ubiquitous cleaning products that can be found in the laundry aisle of most retail stores and many people's laundry rooms. However, even if you buy and use them regularly, you may not necessarily know what dryer sheets are made of and how they work. After all, they’re just one of many laundry-related products, including scent boosters and fabric softeners, that purport to improve how your clothes smell and feel. But are they actually good for your clothes and the environment?

Here's what you need to know about dryer sheets and why you may want to consider using dryer sheet alternatives for future loads of laundry.

Dryer sheets were reportedly first introduced in the U.S. by Procter & Gamble in 1975 under the brand name Bounce, but today you can find dryer sheets from many different brands. According to Chemical & Engineering News, most dryer sheets are typically constructed from a "nonwoven polyester material coated with a softening agent."

Dryer sheets function in the same way that a liquid fabric softener does, reducing static, making clothes feel softer and adding fragrance. When you place a dryer sheet in with your wet clothes, the dryer melts the softening agent, causing the residue to transfer to your clothes. The slippery feeling from the residue gives you the impression that the clothes are softer.

Basically, whenever you use a dryer sheet, you are adding a chemical coating to your clothes, and in some instances, this can be a bad idea. For example, using dryer sheets or fabric softeners on baby or children's clothes may cause them to become less flame-retardant.

Dryer sheets may also cause microfiber towels to become less absorbent over time and reduce the moisture-wicking properties of athletic wear. This is because the chemical coating builds up every time you tumble-dry your laundry with a dryer sheet.

CNet reports that the chemical coating also coats the inside of your dryer, which could eventually make it harder to remove lint from the lint trap. In addition, a 2011 study found that the fragrances that are often added to dryer sheets may be linked to "irritation of the eyes and airways, contact dermatitis, migraines, and asthmatic reactions."

Lastly, there's also the planet to think about. As a disposable single-use product, dryer sheets contribute to environmental waste and have been found to emit volatile organic compounds into the air from dryer vents. This could potentially affect both air quality and human health, although more research is needed.

If you love the convenience of dryer sheets and don't want to give that up, consider using a safer, more eco-friendly dryer sheet, like a reusable dryer sheet, a scent-free option or another dryer sheet that meets the requirements of an EPA "safer choice" label.

In a nutshell, yes! You absolutely don't need to use dryer sheets when you dry your clothes. Fortunately, if you decide to forgo dryer sheets, that doesn't mean you have to live with static cling and stiff clothes. You can find more eco-friendly, reusable dryer sheet alternatives that will help add softness to your laundry without the use of chemical coatings and synthetic fragrances made to withstand high temperatures.

Want more laundry tips? Read these 10 hacks that will help make washing your clothes a more enjoyable experience.

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