Say No to Dryer Sheets

Fabric softener smells oh so good but is not oh so good for you. Ugh. It’s so sad that this popular product has a hidden unhealthy side to it. When I attended my first Young Living class, I learned that dryer sheets were the #1 toxic product that exists in my home.

The US Product and Safety Commission does not require dryer sheet and fabric softener manufacturers to list the actual ingredients in the products. Fabric softeners are designed to leave a synthetic film from silicon or other synthetic chemicals on the fabrics. These ingredients trick our senses by giving us the perception that the fabrics we just laundered are softer than they actually are. Have you ever noticed that fabric softeners are usually blue to green in color? That’s the ultraviolet light brighteners added in to make our clothes appear more vibrant. The addition of “fragrances” don’t actually clean our clothes as they like to imply, but rather their synthetic scents are linked to asthma, headaches, contact dermatitis, and throat irritation.

There are several alternatives to use on laundry day to avoid extra chemicals in your home. The first option is to add a quarter cup of white vinegar to your washer’s rinse cycle. I have tried this, and it does the job, when I actually time it correctly to be aware of the rinse cycle. I have missed it more times than remembering so this does not work best for me!

For my next option, I purchased a set of wool dryer balls. I add several drops of essential oil to the balls and toss them in the dryer with the wet laundry. I love this one! It’s super easy, and I can change up the scent. Try lavender, lemon, or even spearmint, for example. The essential oils will touch up your laundry, but also permeate the room as well!

The next option, #3, can assist you in uplifting your laundry during the wash cycle. This Fabric Scent Booster is made with only three ingredients: Epsom salts, baking soda, and essential oils of your choice!

Recipe:

• 1 and 1/2 cups Epsom Salts
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 25 drops essential oils

Mix all the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid. I doubled the recipe when I made this batch. For essential oils, I chose Purification blend and added in a few drops of Orange and Peppermint that I had remaining in their bottles (just to use them up). A whisk is helpful when adding in the essential oils to keep the mixture from clumping. To use, add 2 tablespoons of scent booster to each load of laundry. I sprinkle it right over my clothes after placing them in the machine.

Purification is one of my most used bottles of oil. It is a Young Living blend of Citronella, Lavandin, Lemongrass, Myrtle, Rosemary, and Tea Tree. It’s refreshing scent helps eliminate odors in so many ways. I mix it in a spray bottle for hard to wash sports equipment and ski gear. It is a main ingredient in homemade insect repellent. Trash cans get refreshed from a drop or two of Purification on a cotton ball placed at the bottom of the container.