Are Dryer Sheets Necessary? (What to Use Instead)

Dryer sheets are a common laundry item that many people use to keep their clothes smelling fresh. However, some may ask if they’re necessary or not.

Dryer sheets aren’t necessary for cleaning clothes. However, they do improve the smell of clothes and leave them soft and static-free. Dryer sheet alternatives such as wool dryer balls or homemade options can work just as well and are kinder to the environment.

Folded laundry dryer sheet in brown box on a washing machine

Read on to learn about the benefits of dryer sheets, their drawbacks, and several alternatives you can use to achieve the same effects as dryer sheets.

Can You Do Laundry Without Dryer Sheets?

You may be wondering, are dryer sheets necessary for laundry? While dryer sheets aren’t necessary, they can do a lot of good for your clothes.

Benefits of Using Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets have many benefits that contribute to the cleanliness and freshness of clothing. These include:

Softening Fabric

Dryer sheets soften the fabric by leaving a coating of wax on the fabric. This coating helps to reduce static cling and leave clothes feeling soft.

This can also help to protect your clothes because they’ll be less prone to snagging and pulling in storage or daily wear.

Fabric softeners are also available as liquid fabric softeners. You may prefer this method if you don’t like the feel of dryer sheets or if you find that they leave your clothes with an odd residue.

Smelling Good

a woman smelling a pink-colored towel beside a washing machine

Dryer sheets are heavily scented with a fragrance that will make your clothes smell nice when you take them out of the dryer, or even when hanging up after washing if dried in the sun for some time.

This can help to mask any odors from sweat or dirt.

Some dryer sheets are more fragrant than others, and for those who are sensitive to smells, there are unscented dryer sheets available.

However, if you’re looking for a strong smell to cover up laundry odors, then scented dryer sheets are the way to go.

Eliminating Static Cling

Dryer sheets help to eliminate static cling by leaving a thin coat of fabric softener on your clothes.

This will help keep them from sticking together and make them less likely to cause a shock when they come in contact with your skin.

This can be a huge help if you have long hair and it gets stuck to the back of your neck or, worse, other places on our body!

This is especially helpful in the colder months because the dry air tends to worsen static.

Preventing Wrinkles

Dryer sheets help prevent wrinkles in your clothing by helping them hold their shape when drying.

This prevents the fabric from shrinking up and causing creases or scrunching during the drying cycle, which would cause wrinkles if left unattended.

Disadvantages of Using Dryer Sheets

While dryer sheets have many benefits, they also have drawbacks.

Some people find that the fragrance of the dryer sheet can be overwhelming and irritating.

If you’re sensitive to smells, it’s best to avoid using scented dryer sheets. If you’re concerned about this, choosing an unscented dryer sheet is best.

Others find that the wax coating left by the dryer sheet can make their clothes feel either too stiff or greasy. This may vary depending on the type of fabric you’re treating in your laundry.

Finally, many people find that dryer sheets aren’t necessary for their laundry because they use liquid softeners instead of fabric softener sheets.

This may be a better method if you prefer for your softener to be rinsed out with the wash water or if you’re worried about either of the issues mentioned above.

8 Dryer Sheet Alternatives for Laundry

You can still get similar results from dryer sheets without having to go through all the trouble of buying and using them.

The following methods may be a better choice if you’re looking for a way to soften your clothes without using dryer sheets.

1. Use Liquid Fabric Softener in the Wash Cycle

You can add fabric softener to your laundry instead of using dryer sheets when you wash it.

Simply check the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle and read how much you should add depending on the size of your load.

This method is beneficial because you won’t have to worry about any residue left behind on your clothes since it will be removed in the rinse cycle.

It’s perfect if you’re sensitive to smells or are concerned about having an excess amount of wax coating your laundry.

2. Use Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are a natural alternative to using dryer sheets.

They work by trapping the dryer’s heat and helping your clothes tumble around more, preventing wrinkles and static cling.

You can buy them pre-made or make them yourself from 100% wool yarn.

If you’re making them yourself, use 100% wool yarn, and tie a tight knot near the end of your ball to ensure they don’t come apart in the dryer.

3. Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a natural fabric softener and static cling reducer. You can add it to your wash cycle by mixing one part apple cider vinegar with four parts water.

You can also add the vinegar to a washcloth or microfiber towel and throw it into your dryer.

This method is beneficial because you’ll be able to use it on all types of fabrics, and you won’t have to worry about any residue being left behind on your clothing. The smell will also disappear after the clothes are dried.

This will help to soften your clothes and reduce static electricity without imparting a chemical coating onto your fabric.

If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, white vinegar will also work fine.

4. Add Baking Soda to the Load

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and fabric softener, making it a great dryer sheet alternative.

You can add it to your laundry by pouring one or two teaspoons into the wash cycle.

This method is beneficial because you won’t have to worry about any residue left behind on your clothes, and it will also help remove any odors from them.

Baking soda is also a great way to get rid of grease stains. You can create a paste by mixing baking soda with water and rubbing it onto the stain before laundering as normal.

5. Use a Ball of Aluminum Foil

If you’re looking for a way to get rid of wrinkles in your clothes, try using a ball of aluminum foil.

Crumple up a ball of aluminum foil and toss it into the dryer with your clothes. It will help them to tumble around more and remove any wrinkles that may be present.

This method also helps to reduce static cling by allowing the aluminum foil to rub up against your clothes and absorb the electrical charge.

Since this solution has no chemical or product, it is perfect for people with sensitive skin who need to avoid fabric softener dryer sheets.

6. Use Essential Oils

Essential oils make great alternatives to dryer sheets because they naturally soften fabric, reduce static electricity and leave behind a great scent.

You can add them to your dryer load by placing drops of the oil onto a washcloth or microfiber towel before throwing it into the dryer with your clothes.

You can choose from a wide variety of essential oil distillates. Using tea tree oil will help your clothes resist microbial growth and reduce body odors.

It will also help to repel insects such as ticks, lice, and fleas which can cause itching if they come into contact with your skin.

7. Purchase Reusable Dryer Sheets

If you’re avoiding dryer sheets because you aren’t a fan of creating unnecessary waste, reusable dryer sheets may be best for you.

These sheets can be washed and reused, making them a more eco-friendly choice.

Many brands sell reusable dryer sheets, and this is only increasing as popularity rises. A pack of these sheets costs under $20, making them a great value after only a few months of use.

You can combine this method with others, such as adding a small amount of essential oil to the reusable cloths to boost their effectiveness.

8. Use Tennis Balls

If you have a load of laundry that you want to tumble but don’t have dryer sheets, try grabbing a few tennis balls.

You can toss them into the wash along with your clothes, which will help them bounce around when in the dryer.

Tennis balls are great for reducing static electricity because they will help to rub the fabric against each other. This can also help to remove wrinkles and make your clothes feel softer.

Final Thoughts

Dryer sheets are great for making your clothes feel softer and reducing static electricity on them.

However, they can come with some downsides such as leaving behind residue and potentially causing skin irritation for people who are sensitive to the ingredients in these products.

You can use many alternatives instead of dryer sheets to help you avoid these problems while still keeping your laundry smelling fresh and looking great.

Experiment with options to see what is best for you and your family.

Whichever method you choose, clean your dryer’s lint filter screen and vents regularly so that it runs smoothly and doesn’t cause any damage!

A hand holding a dryer sheet about to place it in a waswhing machine with clothes and a text overlay that reads Are Dryer Sheets Necessary

About Emma

Hey there! I'm Emma. When I'm not wrangling kids I like to walk aimlessly around hardware stores and watch HGTV for hours on end.

Leave a Comment