DIY Dryer Sheets – With and Without the Vinegar
I know you’ve seen or heard about DIY dryer sheets using vinegar. If you haven’t then you must be living under an ‘anti-Pinterest’ rock because I have seen them everywhere. Of course, I gave them a try… hoping that the claims about your clothes not smelling like vinegar were true.
I’m here to tell you that they are not true. If you make your own dryer sheets using essential oils and vinegar, your clothes WILL smell like vinegar.
Okay, so it’s not really THAT bad. I actually enjoy the scent somewhat. It’s a very clean smell and the vinegar is, by no means, overwhelming. It’s just that every blog post I have read about these DIY dryer sheets, states that you can’t smell the vinegar on your clothes and I just wanted you to know the truth.
You can smell it. It’s not harsh, but you can smell it. I still use them and have grown to like it, but at first, I was like, “These people are crazy.”
I’m going to share with you two different options for DIY dryer sheets. One that is made with vinegar and one that is made without vinegar.
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How the Dryer Sheets are Made
If you have been living under that ‘anti-Pinterest’ rock, then I should probably share with you what I am talking about. Here is how you make these DIY dryer sheets.
- Get a glass container with a lid (I found mine at Walmart).
- Cut up some fabric squares. Again, I bought mine at Walmart. It probably goes without saying, but I wouldn’t choose red or anything that will stain your clothes.
- Put the squares in your glass jar and then fill the container about half way up with vinegar.
- Drop in about 20 to 30 drops of an essential oil of your choice and you are good to go.
- Pop a couple in the dryer and it will act as a fabric softener and help your clothes smell fresh.
I really do think it helps with any sour smell that can sneak its way into the laundry.
My Version of a DIY Dryer Sheet
After realizing that my clothes did have a faint vinegar smell, I decided to try out another method.
I wanted to try some wool dryer balls, but for whatever reason did not want to purchase them at the time. I said to myself, “What else can I throw in the dryer that will act as a dryer ball?”
The answer… a rolled up sock! I took an old pair of my husbands dress socks, rolled them tightly, and Ta Da!
Now I have my very own dryer balls, for free. I drop a few drops of lavender essential oil on these before each dryer cycle and throw them in with my clothes. This gives the clothes a faint lavender smell and helps dry the clothes faster.
Whatever dryer sheet option you use I would recommend getting rid of those ones you’ve been using for years – the ones with the toxic chemicals. Let me know what you use for your dryer sheets and if you try out my sock method.
Teresa
May 7, 2023 at 9:11 amI’m so glad I came across this. I’ve been going nuts trying to figure out why my homemade dryer sheets made my clothes smell like vinegar.
Sonja
February 1, 2022 at 8:44 pmJust spotted this…VERY Clever!!!!! Thanks, will try with the next load.
Kate
September 17, 2018 at 2:40 amThis DIY tutorial is spot on! Thanks so much for sharing.
Ashley
September 29, 2017 at 2:04 pmYou bet!! And thanks for checking out and joining my community!! It means a lot and I hope you find what you need when you visit:)
Blessings to you,
Ashley
Ashley
September 25, 2017 at 10:31 amHi! I stumbled across your blog and thought I’d share a tip that I love for my laundry. I actually put the vinegar with about 10 drops of essential oil right into the fabric softener dispenser of my wash machine. No vinegar smell, no static cling..just fresh smelling, clean clothes at minimal cost:)
Thanks for sharing!
Blessings to you,
Ashley
Titus2toyou.com
KatiesKottage
September 25, 2017 at 4:33 pmHi Ashley! Thank you so much for the great tip. Putting the vinegar in with the wash seems like a much better idea than putting it in the dryer. Thanks!
Monica Berto
January 7, 2023 at 7:36 amIdem, I do exactly the same. No vinegar smell.