Going Green in 2018: Why I took dryer sheets out of my dryer

Published by Bert A. on

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Why I took dryer sheets out of my dryer Just so you know, there are affiliate links in this blog post; it won’t cost you anything extra, however, should you make a purchase from one of the links I’ll receive a small commission for your purchase. Thank you!

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Wanna know something about my family and our intimates? I don’t use fabric softener dryer sheets in my dryer and I have never felt better!

Why I took dryer sheets out of my dryer…

I got rid of all of the fabric dryer sheets that I use in drying clothes and other fabrics that we use in our house. Why? It all started back in my cloth diapering days. When you use cloth diapers you really shouldn’t use anything in your laundry that will affect the diapers ability to absorb liquids. Using fabric softeners and dryer sheets definitely leaves this thin film that causes the diaper to repel moisture. When I started using cloth diapers I became very aware of the various chemicals that I was putting on my children’s skin. The benefit of dryer sheets was the smell and the fact that my clothes were soft but at what cost was this worth it?

There have been small studies that have shown a link between anything that is on your skin being absorbed into your bloodstream. It’s difficult to find a full blown study that proves the toxicity in a dryer sheet but the fact that a nonprofit like the EWG warns against people using them is enough to make me make the switch. That’s scary to me. So why choose wool dryer balls to aid in your laundering?

Why I took dryer sheets out of my dryer

Wool dryer balls are made from a natural fabric and when you have enough balls in your dryer it does an excellent job of decreasing drying time. If you have an older dryer using the low heat setting can take ages to fully dry your linens and clothes.Using at least four wool dryer balls, cuts down the time to a third of what it was before! That saves you more money as well as helps the planet. To get the best performance out of your dryer balls you should purchase four or more. The dryer balls bounce through your clothes as they dry, fluffing and separating the clothes which is how they cut down on the drying time.

The downside to the dryer balls for me is that they don’t completely prevent static. I live in Minnesota so the winter creates a very dry and static friendly environment. Even though that’s the case, it’s not that bad. I simply give my clothes a shake and they’re not as clingy. The balls are also rather large so they do make noise.

Going Green in 2018

I don’t know if you do this but if you want to wash your pillows the dryer balls are excellent in fluffing them!  I’ve read articles that suggest putting tennis balls in the dryer to fluff your pillows. Replace the tennis balls with your dryer balls and you have a natural drying aid.

I made this switch about six years ago; it’s safe to say that all of our clothes have been dryer sheet free for 2,190 days. I just replaced my original dryer balls a few months ago. I’ve saved money doing this. The way I look at it is this: if dryer sheets don’t cause cancer or any other ailments what’s the harm in discontinuing their use in your home? You’ll save money and produce less waste. If they do in fact cause harm to our body then I guess I’m eliminating one source of harm. What’s holding you back?

Why I took dryer sheets out of my dryer and how you can too! Go Green in 2018

Do you use wool dryer balls? How many do you have?

 


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Bert A.

As the creator of the lifestyle blog and book, Me Before Mom, Bert supports millennial moms facing the challenges and changes of motherhood. Me Before Mom is an online community that offers support through real life stories, encouraging advice, and answers to questions about how a woman maintains herself during this self-sacrificial time of parenthood. Stories from Bert Anderson have helped women across the globe through the Huffington Post, Today’s Parent, and on the Harry show. Whether weathering the first year of motherhood or walking through the later stages of motherhood, Bert has helped many continue to find herself while still in the throes of motherhood. Purchase your copy of Me Before Mom: Putting Your Oxygen Mask on First today!

6 Comments

Christine · March 29, 2012 at 9:04 pm

We switched too — it helped with our static a lot too at first. We have 8 wool balls. I contacted the maker (wooly rounds) about the static and they said you can “re-set” them, so to speak, by running them in a wash cycle once. It supposedly helps with the static. I admit, I’ve not been brave enough to try this yet :

    FirstTimeMom MN · March 29, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Oh interesting! I haven’t heard that before. Something to look into though. Maybe I’ll be the guinea pig!

ChainedAngel · March 29, 2012 at 10:29 pm

Funny. I have been thinking of getting wool dryer balls for a couple years now. Not for the static prevention but for saving dryer time.
And now, after reading this post, the 674th post I’ve read about them, I’m off to buy some. Thanks, Mama!

    FirstTimeMom MN · March 29, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    Do it! It really won’t harm your clothes so why not just join in on the party?

Ajoy44 · April 4, 2012 at 6:27 pm

I heard about this a couple of weeks ago and figured out how to make my own. It is super easy and a lot cheaper than buying the wool balls. I love them! I used 8 with my cloth diapers and it cut the static (maybe because the wool balls were a little wet still from making them) and it only took 30 mins to dry everything! Also, I’ve heard if you miss the added scent of the laundry sheets that you can add essential oils to the balls and they will lightly scent your clothes.

    The FTM · April 4, 2012 at 11:02 pm

    Oo! How’d you do it? I have been amazed by how fast things dry with them.

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