Happy Wednesday! It's snowy, gray, and cold outside, but I'm pretending it's sunny and balmy instead! It's totally working too! Until I look outside. :)
Okay, so here's your eco-Wednesday tip, the whys and the what elses. A LOT of people use dryer sheets when they dry their clothes? Why? So your clothes smell like factory-made fresh rain or a mountain spring? So you can avoid static cling that would be traumatically embarassing and cause you to lose your friends and strangers to point and laugh? Or because you just think this is a requirement of laundry and you've never known anything else? Well, whatever the reason is, I'm letting you know, you probably don't need them! We haven't used dryer sheets in.....ever. And, we are just fine!
Here's why:
1. They're made out of a polyester sheet (read: plastic) that ends up in a landfill and doesn't get recycled. Um. no.
2. This plastic sheet has been coated in chemicals that are not good for you. Do you really need that on your skin? Or your baby's skin? We are exposed to enough allergens and toxins on a daily basis, so why would you want to just coat your clothes in more?
3. The 2 reason above are our reasons, but if that doesn't appeal to your senses, how about this? They cost money, and they are unnecessary.
We have NEVER used dryer sheets. We have NEVER had a problem as a result. Our clothes smell like air when they come out of the dryer. Unless we left them in the washer too long...then they smell like mildew...and we have to stick them back in the washer. You know what I'm talking about. We do not smell like some chemical concoction that has been named after some natural phenomenon. Like, seriously? To me, real rain smells like worms and dirt. Pretty sure that's not what they're putting on the dryer sheets. BUT, if you don't feel like smelling like plain old air, you can always add a drop of a good smelling essential oil to your wash load and you're good to go. Also, if you really feel like you need an alternative to dryer sheets, I mean, other than just nothing, here is a list of options:
1. Use reusable, chemical-free dryer sheets. I found this brand: PurEcosheet.
2. Use wool dryer balls. You can make your own, there are a lot of DIY tutorials online, but here's one. Or, if you're not into DIY and prefer to buy, there are SO many places you can get these. Here's one, wooldryerballs.com, or if you want to go to a store, try these from Babyganics at Target.
3. Add vinegar to your wash. Add 1/4 cup (or less) of either white vinegar (NOT balsamic) or borax to your laundry wash cycle or add 1/4 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Your wallet, skin, and the environment will thank you!
Until next time!