How to Make Inexpensive Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets

The prices of a variety of products have risen dramatically during these stressful economic times. Unfortunately, cleaning products, which were usually expensive to begin with, have not been unaffected by the price hike. Fortunately it is easy and inexpensive for you to make a wide variety of cleaning products with items you probably already have on hand. One such cleaning product is fabric softener dryer sheets.

Commercial fabric softener dryer sheets usually do a good job at removing static from clothing. However, many of these dryer sheets have fragrances that you may not like and they can often irritate sensitive skin. Surprisingly, consumers often have to pay more for dryer sheets without scent additives even though the manufacturer saves money by leaving the additives out.

I developed the following recipe in an effort to save money and save my family's skin from needless irritation. The recipe is simple and requires few tools and ingredients.

You will need: several pieces of cloth. I usually take 5 to 6 average size wash cloths and cut each one in to four pieces; a small spray bottle that will hold at least two cups of liquid; one cup of water and one cup of your favorite conditioner. If you have sensitive skin use a conditioner that has no added scents or dyes.

Begin by arranging the pieces of cloth next to one another on a flat surface. You may wish to put down a towel, piece of newspaper or plastic to protect your work surface before you begin.

Next add the cup of conditioner and the cup of water to the spray bottle. replace the sprayer head on the bottle and close it tightly then shake the bottle vigorously until the blend of conditioner and water is uniform. If you wish you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the blend to scent it. If you have sensitive skin, lavender essential oil may be appropriate for you.

After preparing the solution liberally spray the pieces of cloth with the solution. it is only necessary to spray one side of the cloth pieces. Continue spraying the cloth until the top side appears saturated with the mixture.

Leave the cloth pieces on the flat surface until they appear completely dry. This usually takes an hour or two. It is very important to let the cloth pieces dry, otherwise the conditioner on them can stain your clothing.

Once the cloth pieces have dried they are ready to use. Simply put one piece in with each load of laundry you dry just as you would regular dryer sheets.