The 10 Best Dryer Sheets
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in April of 2018. Everyone knows how annoying static cling, leftover lint and stiff clothes can be, which is why we put together this comprehensive selection of dryer sheets for you to use on laundry day. We’ve rounded up options that not only act as fabric softeners, but can de-wrinkle your garments, make ironing easier, and leave each load with a pleasant scent. We threw in a few eco-friendly choices, too. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Gain Original
2. Bounce Outdoor Fresh
3. Snuggle Plus
Editor's Notes
May 21, 2020:
Dryer sheets are not something we often think about, so many don't realize the nuances involved when it comes to how ingredients are sourced and which ones are used. For example, some contain animal fat to keep the individual sheets from drying out, while others may use added fragrances or dyes that can irritate sensitive skin or cause breakouts. We scrutinized ingredients to provide a diverse range of selections to suit differing needs and desires. Many of these are also effective enough to reduce the amount of liquid fabric softener you use or else completely replace it.
Vegans will appreciate the cruelty-free Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day and newly-added Love Home and Planet, which also use plant-derived softening agents and ethically sourced extracts to be kinder to the planet. If being eco-friendly is the main concern for you, then Grab Green Natural have an abundance of features that are in line with green initiatives.
If added chemicals mess with your sensitive skin or intense scents give you migraines, Seventh Generation Free & Clear and Bounce Gentle are the way to go. We added Seventh Generation to replace Honest Free & Clear as they're similar in many ways that matter, like being 97% biobased and hypoallergenic, however, Seventh Generation have been reformulated to be even more effective against static and are a bit more wallet-friendly.
Finally, for those who want a super-strong, lasting scent more than anything else, Gain Original is hard to beat. Coming in close behind Gain is Snuggle Plus, which boasts odor eliminating technology, and Bounce Outdoor Fresh and Downy April Fresh, two more intensely-scented options. These are all ideal for large, active households with kids and pets — just remember to keep them out of reach of your little ones and Fido.
Special Honors
MyGreenFills MyGreenFills is a subscription service based in Michigan that offers an eco-friendly refillable laundry system. They sell reusable jugs and mix-at-home detergent packets, along with stain removers, final rinse solution, and an item called the dryer angel. This refillable and recyclable bag is shaped like an angel and contains corn kernels and an exclusive blend of essential oils that includes vanilla, lemongrass, rose, bergamot, lilac, and orange. It has no silicones, ethers, petroleum distillates, or any hormone-disrupting chemicals. Each refill lasts for 30 loads. mygreenfills.com
4. Love Home and Planet
5. Seventh Generation Free & Clear
6. Downy April Fresh
7. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
8. Bounce Gentle
9. Arm & Hammer Essentials
10. Grab Green Natural
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.