A brisk winter walk down Coolspring Lane reminded me about doing a non-toxic dryer sheet post.  If you’ve ever stepped out for a breath of fresh air only to walk right into your neighbor’s dryer smog, you know what I mean.  It literally makes you hold your breath, which is probably a good idea considering all the crap that they put into dryer sheets and fabric softener.

So first thing, why are you using dryer sheets?  It’s either for the smell or for static (maybe both).  If it’s for the fragrance, you can easily go All Natural Me with this one and start using a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cloth.  Just pop it into the dryer with your clothes.  If you can wait for the last 10 minutes, you’ll get more scent because the heat will zap some of the oils if it’s in there too long.  Although my favorite one to use is clove oil and it’s lovely no matter what time you put it in.  A few drops on an old cut up towel will do you.

The other reason to go searching is for static… bloody static.  We all hate it and here are a few easy tips that will help:

1.  Air Dry

Okay, maybe not totally doable all the time.  But even using a dryer for most of the drying and then air drying the last bit, will help.  Over drying is like the static breeder.

For inspiration, re-visit Line Dry Clothes to Save The World

2.  Keep Natural and Synthetic Separated

During laundering, we must segregate the cotton from the polyester.  Those synthetics are probably what’s giving you all the static grief.  So put them in different loads and see if that helps.  Now, who really knows what to do about the cotton polyester blends….

3.  Vinegar

Claimed to soften clothes and reduce static, put 1/2 cup of vinegar into your washing cycle.  And why not – all good natural people use vinegar for everything, so pour it in and shout hooray.

The only other thing that I do when a garment is static ridden is to slap or swipe it on something wooden.  Even laying it on the wooden dresser or door seems to neutralize the bugger.  When we had our old canvas and wood laundry hamper, I’d slap the static out on that.  Sounds kinda rough, but I wasn’t the one who actually stood on it and broke it.

ahem.

Okay, now is when I send you out into cyber space to other lovely green websites who will tell you what I just did and more!

Grinning Planet ~ Who has a lot to say in a funny way, which we love!

Michael Bloch at Green Living Tips.com ~ Who likes to make herbal dryer baggies which, just to drop a subtle hint, Sadie would love for her upcoming birthday.  Useful gifts are the best!  Agree?

And Annie B. Bond at the Gaiam Blog suggests making your own dryer sheets with natural conditioner or trying some dryer balls.  Annie is also a huge fan of vinegar!  And it just so happens that after watching Home Enlightenment Made Easy, Sadie is now a huge fan of Annie!

The world keeps getting smaller and greener  I love it.

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