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Other great tips
5 Strange But Amazing Uses For Apples
Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner
Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheet!
This is one of my best Budget Savvy tip – you do not need to spend one more cent on dryer sheets. All you have to do is take aluminum foil, ball it up, and place it in the dryer with wet clothes.
It will remove static + it does NOT need to be changed each time.
Make sure it is about the size above and ball it up tightly .
You can use the same ball for 6 months!!!!
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{ 138 comments… read them below or add one }
How safe is that though? Wouldn’t that metal get really hot and potentially burn clothes/start fires? If it’s safe, then that’s awesome, but I would be leery of putting metal in my dryer.
My family has been doing for 30 + years without a problem…But I understand your concern
The dryer itself is made of metal, as are all the buttons and zippers on your clothes. You might want to let it cool down a tad before handling it, but I doubt it will start a fire.
Aluminum foil is used in the oven without catching on fire and cools down quickly. It probably wouldn’t even get hot in the dryer since it’s not directly on top of the heating element.
Aluminum will conduct heat, but won’t retain it. It will only get as hot as the air in the dryer.
Start a fire with a teeny bit of aluminum foli? Haha. I am pretty klutzy but even I do not think I could manage that feat ;0)
Is your dryer not made of metal? Lol!! Good grief! (still laughing!)
Me too. I’m pretty sure I’ll be laughing all day. Sheesh!
Rose, Don’t you have metal on any of your pants???
Lots of great hints and tips here folks,but also a few unkind and sarcastic comments.I don’t really see the need the sensible one was not the first there are a few higher up.come on guys be nice!
I agree you were just asking a question. I wanted to know the same thing, so I’m with you
better safe to ask a question than be sorry 
Aluminum has one of the highest melting temperatures that’s why it doesn’t get hot in the oven for the foil to melt clothes or start fires you dryer would have to run at about 660 degrees effectively incinerating all your clothes
Not to worry, Dawn! I had the same question LOL
The only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked
I agree with you Jan! Be nice
to each other ladies!
Some people use the Internet to be mean.
Jan, People forget what it was like to be that kid on the playground, being picked at. It was a legitimate question— like me, you bounced on the question before you “processed”. Don’t worry– be happy
Come on folks, lighten up. They are just kidding. Don’t try to make something out of nothing.
Try unringing a bell. Some “just kidding” is only entertaining for the person who enjoys making someone else look foolish, and that’s not “nothing” unless you have a hole in your chest where you should have a heart.
ty Jan, I agree with you, let’s be nice!
Foil is used for cooking it’s made to withstand high temps.
LOL rose.
Aluminum foil doesn’t really retain heat. That’s why its used for cooking. It gets a little warm but pretty much cools off instantly.
I was thinking the same thing. And to all the comments below: although tin foil can withstand tempatures in the oven(which we all know) it WILL catch on fire in the microwave. So using it a appliance in which it was not made for I can see where someone would hesitate. I’m sure it’s safe, but better to think it over first. Plus how would it soften my clothes and remove static especially if my dryer is metal and it doesn’t seem to do so?
Love it thanks. Do you peel the apple in the. Chicken? I love your shares
No you do not have to peel the apple
If you want scent to be added. Take a old sock and put a couple drops of your choice of scents and add to dryer.
When I want to soften clothes in the dryer, I take one of the items being dried (usually a washcloth) and dab a bit af softener on it and let it go.
No way!! That is awesome! I am totally going to try this.
I just bought dryer balls shaped like hedgehogs…no more dryer sheets!
It doesn’t end up tearing clothing? I bought dryer balls and NEVER again. They smelled of nasty plastic chemical that I threw them away. They fluffed things up though! Does this fluff?
for fluffing in the dryer, try a tennis ball. does awesome (though a little loud?)!
Awesome!!
Love the idea! The hedge hog balls are good but sooo loud! I hope the aluminum will work!
how do you know when it needs to be changed? do you just automatically change it every 6 months or is there some signs of wear to watch for?
Good Lord machelle, it’s a piece of aluminum foil for goodness sake – you could change it every day and not cost you much. Jeez. The things people ask.
Sensible, that’s about the rudest response I’ve seen on a blog like this. Its possible she was asking how long it would be until it is no longer effective. Try getting some sleep and not being unkind to people. Oh, and remove your post (or perhaps the moderator could remove both of ours so others don;t have to read)
Sensible – You obviously misread machelle’s question. No mention of cost was made. Your rude reaction puts everyone off. Even if her question was about cost – how inappropriate of you to criticize her in any way. There are no stupid questions – apparently only stupid responses.
Thank you Ginnie and MiraBorn. Apparently “Sensible” isn’t so sensible when it comes to manners.
LNAO! Was thinking the same thing!
Aluminum foil doesnt get hot its why you can put it in the oven and touch it right out of the oven and it doesnt burn you the only time it is hot is when its touching a cookie sheet and that is hot but otherwise its always cool to the touch
I am sooooooo going to use this idea!!! Thanks!
one problem, when I put a dryer sheet in the dryer, I put it in to make my clothes smell even better than what the washer did and to make them softer, I bet this method can’t do that
ACTUALLY YOU CAN GET BETTER SENTS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS BY PLACING A FEW DROPS ON A OLD SOCK…
Sarah, for fabric softening I add about 1/4 cup white vinegar in washing machine at the start of the wash. Be careful not to use too much because your clothes can smell like vinegar if you do. Gives clothes a “vintage soft” feel. I LOVE the foil ball, and I hate doing laundry…and I love Pinterest!
Vinegar? Brilliant in its simplicity. I am going to be trying that.
tennis ball in the dryer
Find your favourite liquid fabric softner, soak an old hand towel in it, and it’s good for about forty loads.
I do this and I agree, it works! Not only do your clothes come out soft, fluffy and fragrant, but the laundry room itself smells heavenly.
I was doing this with liquid fabric softener and unfortunately it was leaving spots on our clothes.
Me too, Arietha. And it took a few washings for the spots to “wash out” afterward.
Soak the towel in the fabric softener and then let it dry completely before using it. No spots!
What about putting the aluminum ball in a lingerie bag? That way it wouldn’t snag any fragile fabrics. Wonder if it would still work. I’m definitely going to try this.
Why would you put fragile fabrics in your dryer?
If her life is anything like mine, it’s because everything is treated wash dry and go. Working 70+hours a week and having 2 young school age children leaves little time for special care aside from “how do I get this stain out?”
@kim. Some silks are heat dry only. I have many skirts that are like this which I love because I can wash them instead of dry cleaning; they will only come out soft and flowing if machine dried. It seems like there are a lot of ignorant, rude responses to perfectly valid questions on here. I’m definitely going to test the ball in a lingerie bag. This is a great idea as I’m also concerned about my satins being snagged.
Like panties. Some have lace. I don’t know about you, but I don’t hang all my lacy panties.
So this ball of aluminum foil is basically for static cling or does it actually make clothes softer like fabric softener?
Static cling only. Not a softener. But it does seem to shorten the drying time a bit, so another bonus!
Jobita, For the fabric softener part , instead of using softener each time , soak down a hand towel with liquid softener, allow it to air dry. Toss into the dryer ( or leave along with the foil in a garnment bag)good for 15 or so loads. Makes a bottle of softener go a long way!
I have been using the aluminum ball for months now and it was fun watching it turn into a perfect smooth ball after a couple of uses, it didn’t snag anything when it was new and then it just kept getting rounder and rounder till it was smaller and tight. No static cling at all!; as far as softening I did soak a small towel then let it dry and use that for the smell and the softness.
I am definitely going to try this. Also the fabric softener and wash cloth trick. Thanks!
What I used instead of a wash cloth, was an old towel that I tore into strips, about 2 x 4 inches. I usually kept at least 3 or 4 of them soaking in a container of liquid softener (with a lid), and when I got ready for one, I just squeezed the excess back into the container, and threw the strip into the dryer with the wet clothes. Just don’t leave the container too close to the dryer because the heat will change the scent of the softener, after a while.
If you soak a hand towel in your fabric softener, then let it try thoroughly (air dry), then put it in the dryer with your clothes, it will soften many many loads.
Will it snag clothing
When you soak a wash cloth or small towel in fabric softener you have to leave it outside to thoroughly dry before putting it in the dryer. I haven’t had spots on clothes this way.
I have heard of that before. Soak a washcloth in fabric softener, let it dry, and you can use it over and over instead of a fabric sheet in the dryer!
What happens at the 6-month point? I’d think this would last forever.
to make Febreeze: one capful of fabric softener, 1/4 cup baking soda , fill rest of spray bottle w/hot water and shake well befor each use.
What effect does the baking soda have? Why not just fabric softener and water? I’m curious.
Baking soda will help eliminate odors. If you just want the nice scent, but are not trying to get rid of an unpleasant odor, you could eliminate the baking soda.
I am so excited over this. I can’t wait to try this, and other suggestions in this blog!!!
I am so excited to try the aluminum ball in my dryer! I have been trying to move away from chemicals, so I have been using vinegar in my rinse cycle and had been under-drying my clothes, especially running gear, to cut down on static!
Im curious…what if you took a baby wash cloth, soaked it in fabric softener, balled it up and then put a few layers of tinfoil tightly over it, would you get the best of both worlds?!
Try it Lisa, let the rest of us know!!!
For those of you asking about softness, I put plain white vinegar in my washer’s liquid softener dispenser. It is AMAZING, and once your clothes are dry, there is no vinegar smell. You could also put it in a downey ball if you wanted. I will have to try the aluminum, though, bc it doesn’t get rid of static and it’s getting to be a problem this winter.
Can you possible putt a fragrance in it some how? So that it smells nice like a dryer sheet? Would be great if you could give me some ideas on how to do that! =) Great recommendation by the way!
Sol, what if you added some essential oils of your liking to the softening cloth?
I quit using fabric softener years ago because I didn’t like the way my towels started to feel – kind of slick and not as absorbent. I also don’t like to add scent because I don’t want it to clash with other scents (just my quirk, I’m sure). But I do sometimes have trouble with static. I found that being careful not to have nylon and wool in the same load helped (difficult with my wool/nylon blend socks). I’ll have to give this a try. Does anyone know why it works? I would love to know the science behind it.
I DONE THE WASHCLOTH SOAKED IN FABIC SOFTENER FOR YEARS …WORKS GREAT !!!! I DRY THE WASHCLOTH FIRST TO PREVENT STAINS. WHEN I NEED TO JUST FLUFF WRINKLES OUT I USE IT THEN ALSO. EVERYTHING SMELL SO GOOD.I USE IT FOR A MONTH.WASH IT THEN START ALL OVER AGAIN.
Instead of soaking a rag in softener I read you could just give an old rag or sock a few sprays of the softener and throw it in. I’d be Leary of soaking a whole rag even if its dry bc that kind of direct contact with the clothes I have found always makes clothes feel kinda oily or greasy. Especially thick fabrics like jeans & towels. Also yes if you want your towels to be more absorbent then do not use softener. I would however definitely dry with tennis balls so they end up flat but fluffy.
What you are all missing here is the dryer lint screen buildup of softeners that can create a fire in your dryer if you don’t clean your lint screen often enough. This foil ball would eliminate that concern. Must try it.
Don’t you put foil in your oven and im pretty sure your oven gets hotter then your dryer! This is an awesome Idea. I am going to try it !
I make my own fabric softener from white rain conditioner, vinegar and water…works really great and is cheap to…you can make two batches of fabric softener for about $1.50 and that is large batches…
What do you use to soak the mixture you make?
Would love to know the measurement to this. How much vinegar and water and do you use the whole bottle of conditioner? Do you put it on a rag and dry or put it in the washer? This sounds like something I would like to try. I would also like to strat making my own washing detergent if anyone has any good cheap ones they would like to share. Thank you. I’m gonna have time on my hands since kids are grown and hubby is heading to afganistan. Need things to fill me time. Again Thanks in advance to anyone who helps.
Also love this page. So glad I joined.
3 C vinegar
1 C condition, (suave is cheap and smells good. ocean breeze is clean smelling
6 C hot water
I mix mine in a gal jug and write the recipe on the jug so you always know it
That’s a really good idea, Gina! Thanks.
Could u js put a Lil softener in the foil before rolling it up! Would that work. Js an idea :/
No.
I bought handmade wool dryer balls off of Ebay. I haven’t used them yet but I hear they are great. There’s no plastic to release toxins like tennis balls & those blue nubby things, & they absorb water to help clothes dry faster, & they last a long time. I’m going to try the foil too!
Any chemical reactions? I really don’t know what foil consists of. Pleases dont say…well iif it’s safe enough to cook with, it’s okay!
Aluminum foil is made from aluminum which as an element from the periodic table.
I just happened to be doing laundry when I read this! Sounded good to me so I tried it, can’t wait to see how it works, thanks for the tip!
I may have to try this. We can’t use detergent with any perfumes or dyes because of our little one and I’ve been skipping dryer sheets completely. Will let you know how this works for us!!
I love the foil ball idea! My daughter is allergic to everything and breaks out whenever I change soap. Finding something that will soften her clothes and remove static without putting chemicals that will cause her to break out is great! Can’t wait to try this!!!
Perfect!!! I am so glad I came across this tip. We just moved and have zero dollars for the.next week and I have no dryer sheets but I do have aluminum foil!
I just started putting 1/2 cup white vinegar in the fabric softener compartment in my washing machine. I love how soft my sheets and towels are now. I have had allergic reations to fabric softner sheets in the past. There is less static then when I used to do laundry without fabric softner. And when the clothes are dry there isn’t any vinegar smell. I am excited to try these alluminun foil balls. (I have used the plastic dryer balls and they are ok, but I wasn’t sure about the plastic in the dryer.)
Thanks for the tip.
I worry that the aluminum foil will scratch the enamel on the inside of my dryer. Has anyone noticed if it does that?
I put vinegar in with my towels, otherwise they seem to have the musty smell that towels get after the kids have used them and left them lay on the bathroom floor. The vinegar also works great if you have left a load in the washer too long..(I start them and forget them all the time!) just re-wash with about a cup of vinegar!
I don’t think it will work because it won’t smell good and think of how many house fires this starts a year
Tin foil DOES NOT IGNITE! Not cleaning lint trap starts more dryer fires than anything!
I did do the wet the face towel with fabric softener ,,but now I prefer to use a wet old sock dab some softener and dry with the clothes ,, I felt it was a no no for a good face cloth then use it to wash the body ,,and get the softener on the skin ,,,
yes girls be nice with comments ,,,
The vinegar has no affect on the washing machine (like ones that need he detergent) because it is natural right? I think the women concerned about a fire spark were thinking of the reaction with metal in a microwave, but that is perhaps due to extreme heat, etc of the microwave. A dryer must be different if these other women haven’t had issues. Hopefully.
I have been using white vinegar in the softener cup of our front loading washer for a long time. This softens the clothes, helps ensure no soap residue remains, and prevents mildew in the machine. That is a big problem with front loading machines. Now I don’t ever have to do the drum cleaning cycle with bleach. Glad to find out about this tin foil ball solution for static, which is still a problem. According to the W/D technician, dryer sheets and softener will significantly reduce the life of your dryer motor because residue builds up inside the machine.
Oh I forgot to mention. The plastic dryer balls stink and fall apart. Hint if you have those plastic things and want to find a use for them. The cat loves them.
I tried the foil ball using heavy duty in my dryer and it was fantastic. I haven’t used bounce sheets or fabric softener for a while as I was told it put a film on your towels and stopped them from being so absorbent and they were right. Thanks for the great and inexpensive idea.
Do the sharp edges of the tin foil pick your finer fabrics like panty hose or satin blouses?
I never dry those anyway. I hang them.
I have been using this method for about a month now. I have to say, I don’t miss buying dryer sheets at all. I find my clothes come out actually softer! Love it! Thanks for the tip, I’m passing this on!!!
Regarding the aluminum foil as a dryer sheet, what about the scent? I love my clothes to have a nice fresh scent coming out of the dryer using the dryer sheets. Do you rely on your degertent only?
I was wondering if you could put your fragrance on the tennis ball then wrap the foil around the tennis ball would this do two jobs smell good and fluff.
Dear moderator, please moderate those not showing kindness in their posts. I find it really very sad that people can be so horrible to one another when the person asking the question simply was looking for information…
I find it discouraging.
BRILLIANT! I can’t wait to try it …but I’m out of tinfoil.
Other than the rude comments on here, this looks like a cool site.
I’d also like to try the aluminum ball and the washcloth…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
If you want to soften without perfumery stuff…try the felted homemade dryer balls. I am having static problem and use dryer balls, but they are noisy…plan on trying this with felted dryer balls.
I almost forgot. The laundry soap recipe if very inexpensive to make. It is MUCH less than regular laundry soap you buy and works just as well.
What are you ……5 years old? Be nice! If you don`t have a smart answer don`t be a SMART mouth!
Did laundry all day yesterday and got a migraine by the end of the day.
I have been suspecting dryer sheets might be a trigger. Will have to try the foil in the dryer for static cling. Not sure what to try for scent. Maybe white vinegar in the rinse cycle? Maybe some kind of oil scent on an old rag or sock in dryer?
Do liquid fabric softeners have nasty chemicals?
Thanks for all the great ideas!!
Hey Mark, I did not hit reply so look for my @ Mark commen about essential oils. No chemicals.
I started using this & i was shocked how the clothes came out of the dryer it really did work . Thank you
Doesn’t work for static.
I can’t stop laughing at Sensible! C’mon you goody two shoes ppl, admit it – some of these questions are completely ignorant. Some of us are more outspoken than others, not rude, just honest. Get over it. If you don’t like it move on, and stop playing Mommy.
Aren’t you doing the same thing? Why don’t YOU stop playing Mommy by telling people how they should or shouldn’t react? And YES there is a BIG difference between honest and rude, but obviously that’s way over your head. This is a forum where people can ask whatever they want, albeit what YOU perceive as “completely ignorant”. Its funny, the ones that protest the loudest are the ones with the issues. Sensible has every right to ask whatever question she wants. You’d think mature people would answer without having to resort to being snarky and obnoxious. And take your own advice. And I quote: ” Get over it. If you don’t like it move on”.
Correction: I was referring to Rose and her question about the foil and possible fires.
I see some folks are asking about what to use for scent if not using dryer sheets… They have the softener/scent crystals now that you add with detergent.
I’ve been doing this for about 8 months now. Gets most of the cat hair out of my clothes, too (which is a BIGDARNCONCERN for somebody with 4 cats of all colors).
After a month or two, I use smaller ones than the OP, they start to crack, so I suppose another layer of tinfoil would allow you to prolong usage.
RE: the snagging question, I was concerned about this, too, as most of my work clothes have a little lace edging. Easily solved, though. Wash and then dry a load of towels using the “raw” balls. They’ll be smooth enough not to snag satin or silk after a cycle or two.
just bought a box of softener sheets, add one with the aluminum ball
What a cool idea
I’m trying this. Thanks.
No Dryer?!? No worries..medium length strips of foil attached to the clothesline frighten off birds that might poop on your clean wash. And no..it wouldn’t attract lightening.
I was thinking the same thing. Good for you for asking the question. Very smart of you. Ignore the nasty people and their nasty comments.
I just discovered this blog and I am delighted with it. I haven’t used dryer sheets for years because we were told when I replaced my last dryer that dryer sheets can hurt them and cause them to fail much sooner. Summer was ok, but had a lot of static in the Winter – so I definitely am going to start using the foil. Also love the other ideas stated here – have saved them and getting to work with them. My husband and I are on fixed incomes and anything that helps with expenses is definitely welcome.
Just drop it and move on about the post…If you have to keep harping on something negative-then it says a lot about you. If you decide now to comment about a post that was addressed and answered over a year ago then you are the one with real issues.
This absolutely works! I have even tried the heavy duty foil and prefer it as it lasts even longer. Never had any trouble snags. May be my imagination, but seems like small loads even dry a little quicker.
I’ve never tried it but wonder if you put a cottonball with an essential oil on it in the center of the foil and make the ball around it and then take a straight pin and poke a few holes in it to allow the scent to escape during drying? Would it work? Like I said – this is just a thought. I’ve never tried it!
I use 1/4 c white vinegar and hang my cloth out makes the cloth soft and they do not smell like the vinegar and way cheaper
Be careful about the brand of foil. I used some from the doll** tr** on my campfire and it burned! I only buy the good stuff now. Can’t wait to try this.
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