Best dryer sheets for soft and static

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WHEN it comes to drying clothes in the winter, tumble dryers are a lifesaver, especially if you have a big family. However, clothes often come out creased, clinging to each other and bereft of any kind of fragrance

That’s where tumble dryer sheets come into their own. The best dryer sheets not only add a lovely scent to your washing, but they also reduce creasing so making ironing easier, and they get rid of static. No more making sparks fly when you put on your favourite jumper.

The fragrance also tends to last for a while so your clothes keep on smelling fresh both in the wardrobe and on you.

People with sensitive skin or allergies should look for fragrance-free dryer sheets; these add the same softness and have the same crease-cutting power, but without the fragrance that could possibly irritate your skin.

As environmental awareness grows, the market has expanded to include compostable and recyclable dryer sheets. They’re often fragrance-free or contain naturally derived ingredients, so are suitable for people who suffer from allergies or for use with children’s clothing.

Alternatively, dryer balls offer softening, anti-crease and anti-static properties in a reusable form so they’re perfect for people looking to reduce their waste and impact on our planet.

Whether you prefer a single-use sheet or a reusable alternative, take a look at our roundup of the best dryer sheets out there and add another level to your laundry.

For the environmentally conscious among us, these dryer sheets from Method are ideal as they’re made of paper and they’re 100% compostable after use. They’re also cruelty-free and the packaging is recyclable.

Great for reducing static, softening clothes, and cutting wrinkles. One happy reviewer wrote: “My family struggles with asthma and allergies, so regular dryer sheets are a big no-no for us. I was thrilled to find this option from Method – way less chemicals and a biodegradable sheet!”

Contains 80 sheets.

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These great value dryer sheets add a light fragrance to your washing as it dries and also reduce wrinkling.

Contains 40 sheets.

GrabGreen is a US company that specialises in natural and eco-friendly cleaning products. Their baby (5+ months) dryer sheets are made from 97% naturally derived ingredients but contain no animal products. They’re also cruelty-free and you can compost them after use.

The sheets soften clothes, get rid of static and there are less creases to iron out. They’re also fragranced with essential oils. Contains 50 sheets.

If you have dogs or cats then you know how much hair ends up on your clothes, so these foam balls could be the answer.

While they’re not sheets they serve the same purpose; you add them to your dryer and they soften your clothes, but they also remove lint and pet hair.

For peace of mind, they come with a three-year guarantee.

Contains three balls.

Bring summer into your home this winter with these fabric conditioner sheets from Lenor.

They reduce creasing and static and they add fragrance to your washing, evoking images of sunny days ahead. Simply add one sheet to your washing in the tumble dryer.

Contains 34 sheets.

If you have sensitive skin then these sheets are worth a try. They’re infused with aloe vera to help soften your clothes as well as being gentle on your skin.

Contains 40 sheets.

While at first glance these sheets may seem expensive, the price given is for 160 sheets so they work out cheaper than some of the other brands we’ve looked at. They reduce creases, help eliminate static and add a fresh fragrance to your washing.

Contains 160 sheets.

If you hanker for that special smell of outdoor, line-dried clothes then check out these dryer sheets from Comfort. The fragrance is a heady mixture of flowers, fruit and wood designed to conjure up the great outdoors in your dryer.

Contains 20 sheets.

These dryer sheets are the cheapest we’ve come across.

They cut static cling and reduce creases in clothes while scenting your washing with the evergreen fragrance of lavender.

Contains 35 sheets.

Another alternative to dryer sheets, the Ecoegg promises to cut tumble drying time by up to 28%, which is not to be sniffed at when energy costs are so high.

These are fragrance-free so suitable for people with sensitive skin and they’ve also been rated an allergy-friendly product by Allergy UK.

They’re cruelty-free, suitable for vegans and come with a 10-year guarantee. Fragranced versions are also available on the Ecoegg website.

Contains two dryer eggs.

Dryer sheets are usually made from a polyester material, though eco sheets that can be composted are also available and they’re made from paper.

They’re impregnated with softener, usually fragranced, that transfers to your clothes in your tumble dryer, whereas fabric conditioner added to your washing machine simply evaporates in the heat of your dryer.

Dryer sheets make your clothes smell good and that lasts after drying while they’re in the wardrobe (unless of course, you opt for fragrance-free sheets) They add a softness to fabric, making clothes feel nicer.

They reduce creasing, which tumble drying can make worse – great news for those of us who hate ironing – and they also help prevent static. No more electric shocks or clothes clinging embarrassingly to areas you’d rather they didn’t cling to.

Fragranced dryer sheets can be put into your drawers or wardrobe to scent your clothes; they’re also useful for smelly trainers! Just pop a sheet in each shoe.

Another great non-dryer idea is to wipe a dryer sheet over your TV or computer screen to remove dust and pet hair as they cut through the static and just lift it away.

The short answer is no, dryer sheets do not ruin your tumble dryer.

However, dryer sheets contain ingredients that melt onto your clothes in the heat of the dryer, softening and adding fragrance to your laundry. Some of this remains in your machine, building up over time, which can cause blockages in the lint filter.

So if you use dryer sheets regularly then clean the lint filter every month or so to prevent build-up and blockages.

You shouldn’t use dryer sheets with microfibre fabrics such as towels, sportswear or waterproof textiles. Softeners in the sheets can coat the fibres in these materials and compromise their performance, reducing moisture-wicking and waterproofing capabilities.

Dryer sheets should also be avoided when drying pyjamas as they can affect their flame-resistant properties, reducing their effectiveness.