Why It's Time To Ditch The Dryer Sheets (And The Best Alternatives To Use Instead)

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Dryer sheets make laundry feel soft and smell fresh, but that soft feeling and fresh smell come at a cost. Not only have these sheets been constantly linked to health concerns, they can also leave residue that damages both your clothing and dryer and ultimately contribute to environmental waste. That's why we had previously broken down why you should stop using your dryer sheets and helped you explore what you can substitute for dryer sheets. However, as the conversation around chemical exposure and sustainability continues to evolve, we thought it might be worth revisiting the issue.

Most dryer sheets still contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that are linked to hormone disruption and irritation to the respiratory system. On top of this, when they're heated in the dryer, these substances can also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). But experts do stress that exposure levels are quite low from everyday consumer use. Generally, unless you are extremely sensitive to fragrances or have an existing respiratory condition, occasional use will most likely not cause immediate harm.

These days, it seems the bigger concern is the damage dryer sheets can do to your dryer over time and the impact they have on the environment. As dryer sheets melt, they can coat the interior of the dryer and lint trap with a waxy film. This waxy film can reduce your dryer's efficiency and even become a fire hazard. Let's not forget that these single-use sheets are also non-biodegradable. The good news is in addition to wool dryer balls, we found so many other alternatives you can try replacing those dryer sheets with.

It's hard to deny that dryer sheets are very convenient and easy to use. So, we get that it's hard to say goodbye to them, and that's okay. There are actually alternative dryer sheets that are plant-based. Planet-based dryer sheets are an excellent alternative to traditional ones. Dryer sheets like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets or Clean People Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets are great options to try as you go searching for an alternative that works for you. Both of these sheets are phthalate and paraben-free and all of the scents are derived from essential oils. You'll have soft-feeling and fresh-smelling clothes without having to worry about all of the harsh chemicals.

If you're really looking for ways to make a positive impact on the environment, the Clean People option may be your best bet, as even the packaging is recyclable. Reviewers often rave about how the scents of The Clean People dryer sheets aren't too overpowering, the sheets get the clothes to come out soft, and they leave no build-up or residue on clothes or the dryer. The only major downsides we found to plant-based dryer sheets is that they are on the pricier side, and some may even feel the scents are almost too subtle. For instance, the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Dryer Sheets are $8.79 for a pack of 80 sheets compared to $8.94 for 240 sheets of Bounce. That means Mrs. Meyer's Dryer Sheets end up being three times more expensive per sheet. If you're working with a tight budget, these may not be the most economical choice. 

The Dryer Angel by True Free is useful laundry day alternative to traditional dryer sheets. And, unlike the plant-based dryer sheets, this option is quite economical. The Dryer Angel lasts about 30 loads and comes with two extra refills at $19.99, which pans out to about 22 cents per load. These adorable little angels do not contain any sort of known endocrine disruptors or silicones, and they're seriously eco-friendly. As mentioned above, unlike dryer sheets that are single-use, these angels can be used for quite some time until they need to be refilled. They're also very simple to use — just throw the angel into the dryer with your laundry load and run the cycle as you would normally. These angels are also scented with essential oils, so not only will they prevent static, but they'll have your clothes smelling like geranium and lemongrass.

A satisfied Amazon buyer reviewed the product and wrote, "Absolutely love the smell of the [Dryer Angels]! Works great! I love that it is a clean product for my family. The smell lasts so long!" While some reviewers thought they weren't the best at removing static, most reviewers seemed to be quite satisfied with the Dryer Angel and many loved the eco-conscious initiative of the brand. A major downside to the Dryer Angel is that there is only one scent available, so you'll have to be okay with the geranium and lemongrass scent in order to use these. 

Purecosheet's Reusable Dryer Sheets are another alternative to traditional dryer sheets that might be worth considering if you're okay with scent-free dryer sheets. Purecosheet's Reusable Dryer Sheets are made of 99% polyester and 1% nylon and manufactured in the United States. These chemical, fragrance, and dye-free sheets are good for more than 500 loads and are ideal for homes with babies, children, or those suffering from sensitive skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

We do have to point out that the reviews seem to be mixed for these reusable dryer sheets. Many first-time users praised the reusable dryer sheets and one Amazon reviewer said, "Have only used it once so far but I was very pleased with the result. Softer and more fluffy than any of the drier sheets I used before and I am happy that it is better for both my drier and the environment!" While this is wonderful to hear, a user with a 6-month update review seemed quite indifferent about them. On Amazon, they shared that, "Only lasts 48 uses (NOT 500+). I cleaned the dryer of all bounce sheet deposits and used these Purecosheets for 6 months...the metal coating is worn off and has stopped working. That comes out to about $.35 per use or about 4 times more expensive than regular disposable sheets." In their original review, they also mentioned that these do remove static, but will not soften clothes. So, that's something worth thinking about before you decide to try these reusable dryer sheets out.

Eco-friendly and reusable plastic dryer balls are the closest things to wool dryer balls. So, if you've been using wool dryer balls and you're simply looking to explore other options, these might be a great place to start your search. The Whitmore Dryer Balls boast a 4.5-star average rating with more than 11,000 reviewers. Similar to wool dryer balls, using these balls will help reduce drying time, and prevent wrinkles in clothes.

Dryer balls do seem to be one of the most commonly recommended alternatives to traditional dryer sheets. And the reason is simple, they check all of the boxes that most people are looking for when they're seeking an alternative to dryer sheets. Reusable dryer balls are chemical-free, soften clothes naturally, reduce drying time, and are also cost-effective. One of the major cons to reusable dryer balls is that they are scent-free. However, some people say they had luck adding drops off scented essential oils to the dryer balls for some fragrance. 

If you're a no frills person and all you care about is getting rid of the static cling, a seriously economical alternative to dryer sheets is using aluminum foil. Yes, the aluminum foil in your kitchen drawer. You'll simply use two to three sheets of aluminum foil and scrunch them up together into a 2-inch ball. The video suggests using two to three balls for the best results. Voila! You have static-free clothes.

We know, we know, this isn't a true alternative to dryer sheets, but it is one we thought might be worth suggesting. Did you know the North American region dominates the dryer sheet market by a whopping 39%? Despite the availability of dryers in other countries, many people in countries like Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Australia still choose to hang-dry their clothes. Whether it's an eco-conscious decision or one for the sake of making garments last longer, this habit automatically sheds the need to use products like dryer sheets altogether.

There are foldable laundry racks like the Amazon Basics Foldable Portable Laundry Rack that are sturdy and don't take up much space. And based on the fact that almost 20% of the more than 65,000 reviews are from the states, it seems more and more Americans are also adopting the habit of air-drying their laundry at home for whatever the reason may be. And, it's actually a great alternative. Although it's a bit time-consuming, it's free, it helps prolong the life of garments, it makes a seriously positive impact on the environment, and there's no need to worry about harsh chemicals.