Can You Use Dryer Sheets On Baby Clothes? Let’s Do Baby Laundry Right!

When you have kids, you check the labels of basically EVERYTHING. Examining ingredients lists and lists of other products has become a norm. The simple act of washing your baby’s clothes comes with a steep learning curve.

Is it any different for dryer sheets?

Smell-good dryer sheets are nice for our clothes, but they might be too harsh for baby clothes. The many chemicals and softening agents can irritate your baby’s skin.

So, the short answer is – there are better options!

Table of Contents

Your Baby’s Skin

Your baby’s skin is different from ours. Your tiny human has just become a human, so their skin is 20% thinner than ours. This is because their cells and collagen fibres have just begun growing. Skin conditions such as Eczema are quite common in babies and they can be tricky to manage.

Dryer sheets have various chemicals that help to dry clothes and fragrances for them to smell amazing, but these chemicals leave a residue on clothes that can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.

If you want to use dryer sheets, it’s best to have eco-friendly ones with no fragrances, dyes, or chemicals. Alternatively, you can use dryer balls, vinegar or even baking soda.

The Potential Risk Of Using Dryer Sheets

Dryer sheets have chemicals that help your clothes smell good and take out static feelings. These chemicals are the culprits of many skin conditions. I once read on a baby forum that eczema is quite common with the use of dryer sheets.

Apart from irritating your baby’s skin, their clothes might have some of the dryer sheet fibres on them, making their eyes, throat, and nose red and irritated. This is a recipe for a fussy baby!

Dryer sheets can also reduce the fire resistance on your baby’s clothes, especially pajamas. This is important so your baby is protected from burns and will not catch if accidentally exposed to a candle.

When it comes to the environment and your dryer, these sheets also have an impact. Some chemicals can be released inside and outside your home and create unnecessary waste since they can only be used once.

Your lint filter might become too full with the film of dryer sheets, which creates a fire hazard. It can also block airflow and waste energy, as your dryer is working overtime to dry your clothes.

If dryer sheets are your only option, there are ones that are designed especially for baby’s clothes. This includes Grab Green’s Natural Newborn Baby Laundry Dryer Sheets. I like these sheets because they are compostable and are specially for baby clothes. I recommend you not to use them in all laundry cycles though!

Alternatives To Dryer Sheets

Static and stiff clothes are annoying, and if you’re looking for an alternative, look no further! Below are some pretty effective options that are just as good as dryer sheets.

You can use these instead:

Reusable wool dryer balls- These are safe to use on your baby’s clothes and can be reused after each cycle. You can find them on the Amazon store at great prices.
White vinegar- You can spray a cloth with vinegar and put it in the dryer. You can also add about ¼ cup of vinegar to the machine when it’s on its rinse cycle.
Aluminium foil- Aluminium foil is surprisingly a hack for various things, but it makes a great way to reduce static. Just take a piece of foil, make it into a baseball, and throw it into the dryer.
Baking soda- Add a teaspoon or so to your clothes during the wash cycle. You can add more according to how much you’re washing, but not too much as it can leave a white residue.
Air drying- If you can, you should hang your baby clothes on a line and avoid using the dryer. We are really blessed in most parts of Australia with plenty of sunshine – we should make the most of it.

Tips For Drying Your Baby’s Clothes

New mums would find this particularly helpful!

Sun is best! Of course, sometimes it is not possible.
When drying your little clothe, stick to low heat. Putting your dryer on high heat will shorten the time you have laundry to do, but it can damage the clothes. Your girl’s favourite dress with lace or your boy’s snazzy dress shirt might shrink. Air drying is always best.
If you are concerned about the wrinkles and static that are on your baby’s clothes, use a wool dryer ball. This is a chemical-free option that can help with static and wrinkles, making your baby’s clothes come out fresh and ironed. This also takes out any pet hair or particles from the floor.

It’s not advisable to use a dryer sheet on cloth diapers too. I read in a community forum that sunlight is the best method of drying as it can kill any germs on the clothes and make them warm for the baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you not use dryer sheets on?

Don’t use dryer sheets when washing kitchen, bath, or microfiber towels. You shouldn’t be using these if you have children’s clothes in your laundry as well, as it can make their clothes less fire-resistant. Your activewear and socks can also be worn out quicker with dryer sheets.