Making scented handkerchiefs for the dryer is a good way to get an extra kick of scent from your clothing. It’s also a great way to avoid the chemicals and other toxins that are often used in store-bought fabric softeners and dryer sheets.
The first thing you’ll need is a terrycloth towel and some fragrance oil. Simply cut up a few towels into squares about 6″ long, and add a few drops of fragrance oil to each one (see our tips for choosing safe fragrance oils below).
You can also use cotton balls that are sprayed with a favorite perfume. These can be placed on your closet hangers before you put your clothes on, and they can also be tossed in the dryer mid-cycle to freshen up your garments.
Another option is to create a scented cloth for the dryer by placing a few drops of safe fragrance oil on a damp terrycloth cloth and tossing it in with your laundry during the dry cycle. The terrycloth will absorb the fragrance and be sucked up by the dryer, which is the best way to freshen up your clothes without adding chemicals.
Once the clothes are dry, you can keep the scented handkerchiefs in your drawer or purse to add a bit of scent to your clothes and other items. They’re also a great alternative to scented dryer sheets, as the scent dissipates more quickly.
Scented handkerchiefs are easy to make at home and they’re a fun and simple project for the whole family. You can even make scented sachets for your closet and pet bedding.
If you want to skip the fabric softener sheets altogether, consider putting a few drops of essential oil on a handkerchief and tossing it in with your dry cycle. The terrycloth will soak up the oils and leave your clothing smelling delicious for up to four days!
The terrycloth will also help prevent static electricity from building up in your dryer. Static is a natural part of the drying process, but it can cause your clothes to stick together and may lead to stains.
Tossing a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the dryer can help prevent static from forming, which will save you money and make your laundry smell nicer. However, you should only use skin-safe fragrances, and you should check the IFRA statement for each fragrance to see if it is suitable for use on children’s skin.
