Dryer Sheets vs Dryer Balls vs Fabric Softener vs Scented Beads

By now, you’ve probably noticed the endless options in the supermarket. Dryer sheets, dryer balls, fabric softener, and scent beads. With so many options, it’s hard to know what product to use to keep your clothes soft, static-free and smelling good. Do I go for dryer sheets or dryer balls?  Or do I go with fabric softener or scent beads? Do I need both?  What even is the difference??? Lucky for you, I am invested in these questions, after all, it is my job to know about laundry.

Dryer Sheets –

The go-to for most people. They help reduce static and they make your clothes smell great. However, they are not recommended for sensitive skin. Dryer sheets are made of fabric that is covered in a fabric softener-like chemical. As they heat up in the dryer, the scent/chemical melts (usually wax or oil), coating your clothes, leaving behind the softness and good smells they are known for. Cool fact: Since dryer sheets have been around the longest, they were designed to melt at high temperatures. Newer dryers are more energy efficient, so they tend not to get as hot as old dryers. If you are using dryer sheets and are finding they are staining your laundry, your dryer may not be reaching the necessary temperature to properly disperse the product.

Bonus tip:

Occasionally, clean your lint screen with soap and water to remove any built-up dryer sheet residue on it. This will catch more lint, leave your dryer duct cleaner, helping you get the most efficient dry.

Dryer Balls –

Wool dryer balls are mainly used to reduce static and soften clothes. However, they are 100% natural, so there is no chemical residue left on your clothes. This is great for people with sensitive skin, but they do not leave behind the fresh scent a dryer sheets does. One very common laundry hack to keep your clothes smelling fresh and chemically free is to add a few drops of essential oils to your dryer balls (make sure the oil dries before using them!). Not only are they reusable (saving you money), but they also reduce your dry time. Saving your skin and your time! Since there are no chemicals being released, your laundry will dry faster and stay clean longer.

Untested:

I cannot vouch for this, but I have heard if you have hard water at home, dryer balls will give you the best results. Give it a try and let me know if it works for you!

Fabric Softeners –

Fabric Softeners, like dryer sheets, are fat/oil-based and leave a thin coating on your clothes. This is great to keep your clothes smelling fresher longer, but over time, the layers build up, making your detergent less effective. Like dryer sheets do to a dryer, regular use of fabric softener coats the inside of your washing machine, making its cleaning less effective.

Bonus tip:

If you use fabric softener, occasionally clean your lint screen with soap and water to remove any built-up fabric softener on it (yes, even if you do not use dryer sheets). Again, this will catch more lint, leave your dryer duct cleaner, and help you get the most efficient dry.

Scented Beads –

Unlike fabric softeners, scent beads are not fat/oil based, but they do leave a thin coating of perfume chemicals on your clothes. Unlike fabric softener, scent beads do not build up on your clothes over time.  To make sure there is as little residue left as possible, add an extra rinse to your wash. If you can, use hot water when using scent beads. This will ensure the beads are melted properly in your wash, reducing the amount of residue left behind on your washer.

Try it out:

Some people claim as few as 10 scent beads are good enough to have a medium load smelling good.

Everybody’s laundry is different. There is no right or wrong combination of these products. Test out various methods to see what works for you.

Final Tips:

Don’t have dryer balls and want to reduce static in a natural way? Running your dryer at a lower temperature and removing items as soon as they’re dry is said to help reduce the static.

Towels!!! Try to avoid any sort of chemical “softener” on your towels. As you’ve learned today, all these products are designed to leave a thin film of chemicals on your laundry. On towels, this means they are prone to becoming less absorbent over time. 

If your goal is to eliminate odors and are not interested in a lingering scent, try using vinegar and/or baking soda directly into your washer when loading. This combination is a natural odor neutralizer without using any chemicals or leaving behind any residue. It’s the same method we use here at Coin Less Laundry for our Wash & Fold customers! Happy Washing!