Today’s we are going to talk about why you should ditch dryer sheets for good!
Can we just be real for a minute? Dryer sheets are NASTY…they are so laden with toxins it’s really quite crazy why any of us would use them…
As a part of our toxin free living, we will focus on the main toxin- Fragrance.
Fragrance is LOADED with synthetic chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity and allergies and so much more.
A little history for you, dryer sheets were originally designed to reduce static on synthetic fibers only. Therefore, they serve no purpose with natural fibers such as cotton.
So how exactly do dryer sheets work? When dryer sheets are put into the dryer with wet laundry, the heat and moisture warm up the chemicals and spread them across the clothing. These chemicals are intended to remain on clothes for long periods of time, not leaving until the next time they are washed. This is no bueno!
Your skin is your largest organ so when you wear these clothes your skin is absorbing those chemicals all day long and you’re also breathing them in.
These chemicals are also leeching into the air during the dryer cycle…just think you can always tell who in the neighborhood is doing laundry by the smell!
So why do we reach for a dryer sheet with every load that we throw into the dryer? We don’t know any better? It’s what we have been taught? The “fresh and clean” smell? Well I am here to tell you-there is a BETTER way! A way that not only reduces toxins but also saves you money…SAY WHAT?!?!
The better way is wool dryer balls. A practice my family has adopted and never looked back from! Not only are wool dryer balls chemical free, they:
-don’t irritate my daughters super sensitive skin
– they are economical! I bought my 6 100% organic, wool dryer balls on amazon for $15
-they reduce the drying time by bouncing around creating more air flow. This is good news for us mamas who do a TON of laundry and it helps the utility bill as well
-the fluffing caused by the airflow also naturally softens clothes
-there is significantly less lint extending the life of your clothes and dryer (Fun fact-Lint is actually created from the constant scraping motion of dryer sheets against the fabric)
So what are you waiting for?!?! Go do you and your family a favor and get yourself some dryer balls. Break up with those toxin chemicals for good. This is such an easy step towards toxin there are no excuses for not doing it!
Some helpful tips I have come across in my dryer ball using days are:
-If you’re looking for a little natural smell, add a few drops of essential oils to the dryer balls directly. It will leave spots on your dryer balls. Or make a spray bottle of water and essential oils to spray on your clothes before you dry them, just make sure to shake it before every use to blend the ingredients. Both of these won’t necessarily add a lingering smell to your clothes but once you realize what makes that “smell” you won’t be seeking it anymore! (Purification and Lavender would be good choices).
I personally just add vinegar and a couple of drops of purification to my softener compartment of my washer and opt out of the essential oils in the dryer all together.
-Static a problem? Another interesting tip I learned was clipping a small safety pin to each dryer ball to reduce static cling. Just make sure the safety pin is clasped so your clothes don’t get snagged. You can also wrap 1 dryer ball in foil for the same effect.
I must day, in most areas of my life I am DIY queen. I have loads of yarn and strongly considered making my own dryer balls but after doing a little research I found it wasn’t even worth it to make my own. Plus I was more concerned about them coming unraveled if I couldn’t get them tight enough. The best solution in my opinion is to buy them. Just make sure they are all natural and not made with synthetic fillers…after all when striving for natural living, what would the point in that be?!?!
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