Best Non-Toxic Dryer Sheets in 2025
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Welpr Approved cleaning products are always free from:
- Harsh disinfectants and irritants: bleach, ammonia, sulfates, and quats
- Endocrine disruptors and preservatives: phthalates, parabens, BHA/BHT, triclosan
- Unnecessary additives: optical brighteners, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Undisclosed or hidden ingredients
Not all products in this category are Welpr Approved, but they’re safer than most. The ones that meet our full standard will have the Welpr Approved tag. View our full standards here.
Find Non-Toxic Dryer Sheets
Natural Hemp Dryer Balls - Vove
Product Details
- Reduces drying time by 30%, saving energy for eco-conscious users.
- Offers a cruelty-free and sustainable alternative to traditional wool dryer balls.
- Hypoallergenic and chemical-free, safe for sensitive skin.
- Reusable for over 1000 loads, replacing single-use dryer sheets and chemical fabric softeners.
- Includes a stylish storage bag for convenient organization.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reduces drying time, making laundry quicker and more efficient.
- Eco-friendly and vegan, with no animal products used.
- Softens clothes, leaving them feeling fresh and fluffy.
- Great option for those with wool allergies, offering a non-irritating solution.
- Recyclable packaging, adding to the environmentally conscious appeal.
Cons
- Some users noted that it may not completely eliminate static for all loads.
- A few users mentioned the potential for lint build-up over time.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Hemp
Wool Dryer Balls - Molly's Suds
Product Details
- No harsh chemicals or fragrances for a toxin-free laundry experience.
- Reduces drying time by up to 30%, saving energy and time.
- Natural fabric softening that gently reduces wrinkles.
- Sourced from cruelty-free, humane farms in New Zealand.
- Hand-felted by a fair-wage factory supporting underprivileged women.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Eco-friendly alternative to chemical-laden dryer sheets.
- Reduces drying time and energy use, making laundry more efficient.
- Softens clothes naturally without leaving residues or chemicals.
- Reusable and long-lasting, perfect for a cost-effective laundry routine.
- Gentle on sensitive skin, suitable for all fabric types.
Cons
- Some users may experience static, particularly in dry climates.
- A slight natural wool scent may be present initially.
Ingredients
Ingredients: 100% New Zealand Wool
Dryer Angel - Truly Free
Product Details
- Provides a non-toxic, eco-conscious alternative to traditional dryer sheets.
- Free from harmful ingredients, it is safe for babies and sensitive skin.
- Scented with pure essential oils for a gentle and refreshing fragrance.
- Easy to use and refill, with up to 30 loads per use.
- Acts as a versatile air freshener for closets, cars, or lockers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The product is highly effective and meets expectations.
Cons
- Some users find the scent to be overly potent and noticeably different from previous versions.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Cotton (Covers), Muslin Cotton (Sachets), Bergamot Essential Oil, Cinnamon Bark Oil, Clove Leaf Oil-Plant Based, Geranium Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Orange Oil, Corn Cob
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all cleaning products on Welpr.
Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets - Molly's Suds
Product Details
- Made from 97% plant-based materials, ensuring a gentle touch for sensitive skin and the environment.
- Effectively eliminates static, leaving clothes feeling fresh and comfortable without harsh chemicals.
- Composed of simple, safe ingredients with no waxes, dyes, or animal derivatives.
- Can be reused multiple times and packaged in recyclable materials for added convenience.
- Founded by a pediatric nurse, ensuring products are made with transparency and care for safety.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Non-toxic ingredients make it a safer choice for health-conscious users.
- Gentle on sensitive skin and does not irritate conditions like eczema.
- Effectively softens clothes and reduces static without harsh chemicals.
- Light, pleasant scent that is not overpowering on clothing.
Cons
- Some users find the scent is too light after drying, which may disappoint those who prefer a stronger fragrance.
- Tends to roll up in the dryer, so may require additional sheets for larger loads.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use this EWG tool.
Ingredients: C16-18 Glycerides, Di-(Palm Carboxyethyl) Hydroxyethyl Methylammonium, Methyl Sulfates, C16-18 Fatty Acids, Natural Fragrances* *Derived From Natural Plant Essences And Oils, Safer Choice And ISO-9235 Compliant, Free Of Petrochemicals, Solvents, Dyes, And Pesticides
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all cleaning products on Welpr.
Fabric Softener Dryer Sheets, Fragrance Free - Clean People
Product Details
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin, using 100% plant-based ingredients.
- Free from synthetic fragrances, ensuring a completely fragrance-free result.
- Scientifically formulated to soften clothes and reduce static cling.
- Vegan and cruelty-free, with no animal testing or animal products used.
- Environmentally friendly with recyclable packaging.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Eco-friendly and plant-based ingredients, ideal for reducing household waste.
- No harsh chemicals, making it a safe choice for sensitive skin.
- Cruelty-free and vegan, aligning with compassionate lifestyles.
- Leaves clothes soft and static-free without residue build-up.
- Subtle, clean scent that is gentle for those sensitive to strong fragrances.
Cons
- Scent may be too light for those preferring a stronger fragrance.
- Some users might find the need to use multiple sheets for larger loads.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use this EWG tool.
Ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Starch, PVA, Potassium Sorbate, Light Mineral Oil, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Glyceryl Cocoate, Lauryl Glucoside, Residual Water
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all cleaning products on Welpr.
Dryer Sheets, Lavender Grapefruit - Better Life
Product Details
- Softens fabric and reduces static naturally.
- Infused with calming lavender and refreshing grapefruit scent.
- Gentle on sensitive skin and safe for use around children and pets.
- Non-toxic formula is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- Ethically produced without animal testing.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Natural, chemical-free formula provides peace of mind.
- Helps reduce static and soften clothes effectively.
- Light or no scent option appeals to those with fragrance sensitivities.
- Eco-friendly choice with compostable materials.
- Effective in removing pet hair from clothes.
Cons
- Some users find them less effective at completely removing static.
- A few mention the need to use multiple sheets per load for full effectiveness.
- Users sensitive to scents may notice a stronger initial smell.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use this EWG tool.
Ingredients: Unbleached Paper, Dihydrogenated Palmoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate (Plant Derived Softening Agents)
Reusable Dryer Sheets - Attitude
Product Details
- Offers a sustainable alternative for clothes drying, minimizing environmental impact.
- Helps reduce static cling and smooth out wrinkles, enhancing the appearance of clothing.
- Easy to use by placing a sheet on top of wet clothes in the dryer for soft, static-free laundry.
- Reusable for up to 300 loads, making it an eco-friendly laundry solution.
- 100% vegan and free from dyes and fragrances, ensuring no residue or scent is left behind.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Effectively reduces static, especially when used with dryer balls.
- Free of toxins, chemicals, and fragrances, making them a safer choice for families.
- Eco-friendly and reusable for up to 300 loads, minimizing waste.
- Durable and softens clothes naturally without added scents.
- Pet-friendly option that helps prevent pet hair from sticking.
Cons
- Some users found it less effective on fleece and certain fabric combinations.
- A few users noted the need to wash them periodically to maintain effectiveness.
Ingredients
Ingredients: 99% Polyester, 1% Nylon
Common Harmful Chemicals in Dryer Sheets
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate has been linked to respiratory effects, developmental, endocrine, and reproductive issues, as well as acute aquatic toxicity. A compound with a similar structure is recognized as an asthmagen, leading to sensitization. Data from the European Union Ecolabel program indicates that this substance possesses high acute toxicity to aquatic organisms. The presence of quaternary ammonium compounds in human blood has been correlated with heightened inflammation, diminished mitochondrial function, and cholesterol disruption. Furthermore, this chemical, commonly found in dryer sheets, is known to cause allergic reactions, elevate the risk of asthma, and negatively impact reproductive health.
Benzyl alcohol can occasionally lead to allergic contact dermatitis or occupational contact urticaria. It can irritate the skin and eyes, and inhalation at high quantities can result in central nervous system effects. Rats exposed to high concentrations showed no deaths, however, it has caused fatalities in premature infants when given in IV solutions at doses over 4.5mg/kg a day. The substance is quickly metabolized to hippuric acid and is noted as a known contact allergen in humans.
Ethyl acetate is a volatile substance, recognized by the U.N. International Drug Control Programme for its potential to cause narcosis when inhaled. It is also listed as an irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract. Furthermore, when subjected to high concentrations, ethyl acetate can cause adverse effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS).
Linalool is a naturally occurring terpene alcohol found in many flowers and spice plants, consisting of two enantiomers. It is widely used in commercial products for its pleasant floral and spicy scent, serving as a key ingredient in soaps, fragrances, food flavors, household products, and insecticides. In plants, linalool functions as a metabolite, volatile oil component, antimicrobial agent, and aroma compound. Acute exposure to linalool can lead to central depressive effects with symptoms such as ataxia, reduced motor activity, and respiratory disturbances. Additionally, inhalation, oral intake, or skin absorption can result in irritation, pain, and allergic reactions.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell that's naturally produced in small quantities in human bodies and is also known as methanal amongst other names. It's used in the production of various items such as fertilizers, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins as well as in some foods and household products like antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde, which can occur through breathing contaminated indoor air, tobacco smoke, or ambient urban air can lead to respiratory symptoms, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and has been linked to lung and nasopharyngeal cancer as well as leukemia. The EPA considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen (Group B1) and inhaling it can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Commercially, it's sold as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44%, or 50% and long-term exposure can cause first-degree burns, skin sensitization, squamous cell nasal cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstruction.
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk, Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, No More Toxic Tub, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Preservatives, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, Formaldehyde may be found in cosmetic products even when unlabelled, Formaldehyde Found in Popular American Beauty Products, Hair Salons - Formaldehyde in Your Products, Formaldehyde in cosmetic products
Isothiazolinones are preservatives known to cause allergic contact dermatitis, primarily in workers involved in manufacturing industries like paint, paper, rubber, and air fresheners. Additionally, there's a reported case of occupational asthma from exposure to this chemical among workers.
Butylphenyl methylpropional, also known as lilial, is a chemical compound commonly used in cosmetics and laundry powders. It is found naturally in crow-dipper and tomato plants and is also produced synthetically in large quantities. In May 2019, the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) deemed its use in cosmetics as unsafe. Following animal studies indicating reproductive toxicity, the EU banned its use in cosmetics by March 2022. Moreover, butylphenyl methylpropional can sometimes serve as an allergen, potentially leading to contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions, 10 reasons to avoid synthetic fragrances in cleaning products, Synthetic chemical in consumer products linked to early death, study finds, Review of the Styrene Assessment in the National Toxicology Program 12th Report on Carcinogens, Expert Panel Confirms that Fragrance Ingredient Can Cause Cancer, Fragrances, Beyond the Label: Health Impacts of Harmful Ingredients in Cleaning Products
5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMI) is a compound frequently used as a preservative in cosmetics, hygiene products, and other industrial applications such as hydraulic fracturing fluids. It can also be deployed as a pesticide in the U.S, pending regulatory approval. CMI, which is often used in combination with 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MI), can cause contact dermatitis in humans. Various animal studies have shown that a high exposure to a CMIT/MIT mixture can cause alterations in rats' liver function. The production and use of CMI in a range of products mean it can be release into the environment, with some susceptibility to degradation through photolysis in sunlight. Its mobility in soil is high but volatilization from soil or water surfaces is not expected to be significant. Occupational and general exposure to CMI can occur especially through inhalation and dermal contact with CMI-containing products.
Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, Methylisothiazolinone toxicity and inhibition of wound healing and regeneration in planaria, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and/or methylisothiazolinone in cosmetic products, Isothiazolinone Biocides: Chemistry, Biological, and Toxicity Profiles, Methylisothiazolinone and isothiazolinone allergy, Analysis of isothiazolinones in environmental waters by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Methylisothiazolinone induces apoptotic cell death via matrix metalloproteinase activation in human bronchial epithelial cells, EU REGULATIONS , Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy: a review, Effects of methylisothiazolinone and octylisothiazolinone on development and thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish larvae, Two Cases of Chloromethylisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone-associated Toxic Lung Injury, An update of the risk assessment for methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) with focus on rinse-off products, Effects of a mixture of chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone on peripheral airway dysfunction in children, Isothiazolinone preservative: cause of a continuing epidemic of cosmetic dermatitis, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone