Dryer sheets - - when can you start using them?

amynicole21 wrote: I don't use dryer sheets on Nora's laundry, but do on Sophia's. I can't remember when I started using them on Sophia's though... is there a size when the fire retardant chemicals aren't put in baby clothes anymore? I would really like to get rid of this static cling on all of Nora's clothes!

coasterqueen replied: Good question. I've been wondering the same thing.

MyLuvBugs replied: Huh? I never heard that. I've never stopped using them.

kayla's mama replied: I never stopped using them. I never heard of that either.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I have never been consistent with buying them, but we have just started using them because Chris is doing the shopping now.

Not sure of the answer to your question, but I would think it is okay to begin to use them again. No harm in that. Or use the Static guard on her clothes, one by one.

3_call_me_mama replied: We never use them The checmical in them are scary!! But we use dryer balls. makes teh clothes so soft! AND it works relativlely cheap if you use tennis balls or a dog toy ( a ball with spikes). They are cheap adn reusabel and no chemicals so you can use tehm at any age..
But teh dryer sheets I would avoid as long as possible (especailly if you use baby detergent)

MomToMany replied:
Ditto.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
huh, so I can just thow a tennis ball in and no more static? or a dog toy with spikes? more info please.

TeagansMom609 replied: What about liquid fabric softener? I never knew it was bad to use dryer sheets. We used sheets plenty of times but mostly use liquid.

3_call_me_mama replied: Yup a couple of tennis balls should work fine. Liquid fabric softener is just as bad. byut teh ta\niis balls or dryer balls work WONDERS! They just bounce around in there to break up teh static. No chemicals, not expense every month. You can get dryer balls at target, walmart, ebay often has them as well as ltd and lakeside collections. (liek LTD but anyone canorder)
here' s a link.... they are sold out right now ( tehy are quite popular) but so you can see what they look like,.

Dryer balls

We've used tehm for a while as we were noticing that the dryer sheets hd a ton of chemicals AND they aren't reusable and they cause a strange build up on your clothes
(so you can buy a cheap dog toy that is pretty sturdy and has stiff spikes and use that or try these or tennis balls) OH if you buy new tennis balls, I would leave them out to air a bit before you put them in as they oftne come with a new smell.
And if you want to add stuff to teh washer for softness try straight white vinegar. It won't smell after you take tehm out and it makes things REALLY soft. (Works great on kathleens diapers and I wouldn't put it on her butt if it wasn't soft!)

luvmykids replied: Wow, thats pretty interesting! And with my amount of laundry that would save me a lot of money!


eta: How much vinegar do you put in the wash? Do you do it at the rinse cycle, like liquid softener?

kimberley replied: i want dryer balls too! i usually only use fabric softener on dh's stuff and our blankets for static control. i would wait til at least 2yo. James' allergy only got bad after a yr old.

~~*Missi*~~ replied: Here is how i looked at it. I used the dreft and no dryer sheets then one day i was laying there with Sabrina only about 2m old at 7lbs laying on my chest cuddling with me in my bed.
I sat there and thought HMMMMm i use dryer sheets on my clothes. I use it on my sheets, WHY THE HECK am i not using them on her.
Her skin is exposed to mine ya know. I thought hmmmm
Then I sat there and thought more and more of How many people have cuddled and held her against there clothes just in my family (she was born in the holiday rush) and how many dryer sheets and NON dreft clothes she and her skin were exposed to and how she never ever had a rash nor has she ever been sick (except 2 times in her 16m). So i thought gosh...... I am a idiot (in no way am i calling you an idiot i thought i was for never thinking about this) but i was a new mom. and used the best bottles sterlized etc.... i pumped exclusively so she had momma's milk(she was premmie and never latched)... I read and did everything they suggest then....
Well that was the LAST time i used dreft i buy sensitive arm hammer for ALL of us and we all get dryer sheets.

And plus if they want us to NOT use dryer sheets with babies CAN THEY PLEASE STOP MAKING ALL THERE CLOTHES FOR WINTER OUT OF FLEECE!!! Ya know
I mean no dryer sheets.. Between her fleecy clothes and the blankets arghhhhh it was rotten.

In the summer however we only wash and hang dry because i love how the sun helps with the whites.
Ok rambling LOL

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: I used dryer sheets from the beginning and never had a problem.

3_call_me_mama replied: I use teh same amount that I would of Downy. You can put it right in teh fabric softener dispenser or in a downy ball. (You'll notice a much brighter wash too. You're colors will be bright and you'll notice how bright they are) it works well on fleece too

And we've never had problems with dryer sheets but i've read about them causein gfires adn buildup and stuff. So I figure taht clothes are expensive enough without having to replace them all teh time!

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I've heard that vinegar is a good fabric softener. I might have to try it... I've been using vinegar in my wash because of thrush but I've been using Snuggle too - next time I'll try leaving the snuggle out and see how it works. That would be a lot cheaper!

amynicole21 replied: The reason they say not to use dryer sheets is that it takes away the non-flammable properties in baby clothes - for us it isn't a sensitive skin issue.

Plus, I love the way they smell

3_call_me_mama replied: Well teh reasoning that they reduce the flame retardant material is that they "coat" your clothes with chemicals instead. ANYTHING that is flame resistant should not be used with dryer sheets. Also If you do use them you should make sure to clean out your dryer and wipe down (i thing FLYLADY has advice on this) it and teh lint trap so that the dryersheet buildup is removed and your dryer is less of a fire hazard And they do smell nice but it's just a scent or perfume. You could ge tthe same effect if you toss a wet rag with lavendar water or eesential oil on it in there. The clothes wi\ould pick up the sent without reducing teh flame resistance. (Actually i beleive even childrens and adult sleep ware carries teh same risk.

3_call_me_mama replied: I just found this on anotehr site i visit. it's natural family living site.. never tried it but others swear by it

"Just crumple allum foil into ball, toss in dryer with clothes and avoid fabric sheets at all costs."

So apparently alluminum foil works teh same way an from what I've read people just change teh ball every week- 2 weeks. Worth a try!

MyLuvBugs replied:
The ones that we use don't have any of the harsh chemicals in them. maybe that's why I don't mind them so much.

MyLuvBugs replied:
So....how long do these dryer balls last? Are they lasting indefinately, or do you have to replace them once a month?

~~*Missi*~~ replied: i use them more for the fact that i hate STATIC omg its annoying when your dressed all nice and your pants are riding up and sticking to whatever arghhhhh its annoying

As for fabric softener arm&hammer just came out with a soap that is both in one and OMG its wonderful.....in NY we have deals all the time on arm & hammer. smells good works good. But i never notice that fabric softner adds with static never does for me at least??? I use it cause i love to hang clothes on the line (well summer LOL) and hate that crusty feeling if you don't use it

CantWait replied: I used them from day 1 for both kids.