dryer sheets?

lovesgummies · October 2010

Morning ladies! Sorry if this was just posted...I vaguely remember reading something about it over the weekend.

How many of you use dryer sheets now and plan to continue using them with LO's clothes? I know I should get different detergent, but what about dryer sheets? I hate static and it is really bad here in the winter, so I can't imagine going without the dryer sheets. Any suggestions?

CFH79 · October 2010

downy makes a free and clear liquid fabric softener that I plan to use in the wash. If something is irritating baby's skin, that's the first thing I'll eliminate to see what's causing it.

PinkeLLe2 · October 2010

I stopped using dryer sheets a couple years ago but like pp said, just get something free and clear if you plan to use them for LO.

moosemax · October 2010

I never used them on DS's clothes and still don't. If I remember correctly, they can take away flame retardant whatever off the clothes...or something like that.

Even if there wasn't that issue, I still wouldn't use them on DS's clothes because he has such awful sensitive skin.

And I got some dryer ball thing. It like a hard plastic ball that has little nobs on it. It has really cut down on the static.

Tamzin418 · October 2010

I have not used dryer sheets in laundry for the baby. I believe they interfere with the fire retardant in baby clothes. We're cloth diapering so I'm switching over to either plastic dryer balls or wool balls which fight static cling without the chemicals.

lovesgummies · October 2010

Oh they make free and clear dryer sheets? Great! I'll have to look for them!

AllSmiles1210 · October 2010

We got Seventh Generation dryer sheets that are free & clear. There are a couple of different brands that offer free & clear options but I really like Seventh Generation products and I had a coupon.

LaLaaaa · October 2010

As far as the dryer sheets go, I believe you are NOT supposed to use them with baby clothes as they degrade the fire retardant.

lovesgummies · October 2010

moosemax:

I never used them on DS's clothes and still don't. If I remember correctly, they can take away flame retardant whatever off the clothes...or something like that.

Even if there wasn't that issue, I still wouldn't use them on DS's clothes because he has such awful sensitive skin.

And I got some dryer ball thing. It like a hard plastic ball that has little nobs on it. It has really cut down on the static.

Oh. Maybe I need to look into those dryer balls then...

lilmgirl · October 2010

To help cut down on static, I heard to cut your dry-time down and to not over-dry your clothes.

teshy1 · October 2010

For those of you who mentioned using dryer sheets degrades the fire retardant material in clothing, you're absolutely right. My husband told me this awhile ago and he used to be a firefighter, so I guess he'd know!

We've used the dryer balls and they work really well. I was skeptical at first, but I found they're nearly as good as dryer sheets at decreasing static.

lulu8109 · October 2010

I picked up some free and clear dryer sheets. But I also read that dryer sheets affect the fire retardancy of fabrics, so I'm not sure I'll even use the free and clear dryer sheets on LO's clothes. I've also heard of dryer balls, but I'm not sure if those affect the fire retardancy too. I might just skip it all.

AndysGrl08 · October 2010

We use dryer sheets for our clothes, however we do not use them for LO's. The only thing we plan to use is Dreft to wash his clothes in, so nothing in the dryer.

I have always heard that the flame resistance in baby's pj's can deteriorate with the use of dryer sheets, hence our reasoning on not using them.

https://home.families.com/blog/household-product-alert-dryer-sheets

lovesgummies · October 2010

jmm881:

Also, use vinegar in place of liquid fabric softner - I use it right in a 'downy ball'!

Someone else suggested vinegar to me the other day, but I was skeptical. It's worth a shot I guess.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

damensmummy · October 2010

flgirl79:
We use free & clear dryer sheets (and detergent) due to my son's sensitive skin, so we will just continue to use that.

Same here.

Kellina · October 2010

flgirl79:
We use free & clear dryer sheets (and detergent) due to my son's sensitive skin, so we will just continue to use that.

Same here! I may look into those dryer balls though- save some $$!

MrsNoPhun · October 2010

We haven't used dryer sheets in years. We instead use dryer balls. Both the kind by Nellies and wool dryer balls. I also add vinegar to the wash with a downy ball. We have had no problem with static so far.

callthewind · October 2010

I just started using wool dryer balls to try them out instead of dryer sheets and so far they seem to work well.

lulu3061 · October 2010

Tamzin418:
I have not used dryer sheets in laundry for the baby. I believe they interfere with the fire retardant in baby clothes. We're cloth diapering so I'm switching over to either plastic dryer balls or wool balls which fight static cling without the chemicals.

This exactly. We're using the wool balls b/c we're doing the cloth diaper thing too but the dryer balls from Target or BBB are really great.

You can also just use white vinegar in a downy ball, it's a really good fabric softener and...no, your clothes will not smell like vinegar at all.

JulietL129 · October 2010

We use dryer balls. We made the switch when we decided to CD because you have to be careful what you use on them because it can cut down on their absorbency... We don't miss dryer sheets at all though.

lovesgummies · October 2010

JulietL129:
We use dryer balls. We made the switch when we decided to CD because you have to be careful what you use on them because it can cut down on their absorbency... We don't miss dryer sheets at all though.

This is good to hear.

If you're still around, ladies who use vinegar, how much do you use and can I use it in my high efficiency machine?

Sunnyinseattle1 · October 2010

I Will continue my Tide Free & Clear liquid laundry soap and Bouce free & Clear dryer sheets.

MrsNoPhun · October 2010

lovesgummies:
JulietL129:
We use dryer balls. We made the switch when we decided to CD because you have to be careful what you use on them because it can cut down on their absorbency... We don't miss dryer sheets at all though.

This is good to hear.

If you're still around, ladies who use vinegar, how much do you use and can I use it in my high efficiency machine?

I have the the downy ball so it makes it easier, but if it is just a standard load I will fill the ball 1/4-1/2 full (depending on large or small) and toss it in. If it is towels, dog bed covers, or any of DHs clothes with a little extra stank from work I will fill it full and toss it in. (Generally I also add a little bit of oxi clean powder or even baking soda to these loads as well.) We also don't use scented detergent and I have yet to have any lingering smells in the towels or clothes when using vinegar. And like PPs have said you never smell the vinegar. DH loathes the smell of vinegar and he has no idea I use it when washing clothes.

soon2Bwed08 · October 2010

We use 6 anti-static dryer balls (the as seen on tv kind...you can get them from Rite-Aid, and Walgreens). We don't miss dryer sheets, they're so much cheaper (you get 2 in a pack for about 13 dollars), and you reuse them over and over again.

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